Merry Christmas to all of you, I know it's been a while since I last wrote about my life, so I'm going to write a bit now.
Life has been treating me pretty well lately. I finished wrapping my Christmas presents for my family and girlfriend and her family. Tomorrow I am going to meet Angie's family. I am kind of scared about it, but I know it'll turn out okay.
I was sick last Friday and it was the last day of school before break. In other words, I lucked out and got a day longer for break. I'm pretty sure I had stomach flu. Angie came over and visited me for a bit which was nice.
Angie and I have hung out everyday since Friday and it has been wonderful. We decided to take a break for today to spend time with our families.
Friday, December 24, 2010
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Trust pt. 2
This post is going to be kind of random, so hang in there!
“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much." Luke 16:10
This verse is talking about people and the ability they have of being trusted. You might think to yourself "It's okay to be dishonest with little things. I will be trustworthy with the big things." I hate to break it to you, Jesus is basically saying "You know guys, you need to be honest with everything. It is critical to be trustworthy because you will be tempted to be dishonest with the big things if you are dishonest with the little things."
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." Mark 12:30
On the surface this verse is talking about not having idols. I'm thinking that it is also about trusting God. Take the word "love" and switch it with "trust." How awesome is that? Now it is pretty much saying "Trust God with everything you have in life."
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
This verse is also indirectly about trust. It's talking about how we should always trust God to be there, because He is even when it doesn't fell like it.
“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much." Luke 16:10
This verse is talking about people and the ability they have of being trusted. You might think to yourself "It's okay to be dishonest with little things. I will be trustworthy with the big things." I hate to break it to you, Jesus is basically saying "You know guys, you need to be honest with everything. It is critical to be trustworthy because you will be tempted to be dishonest with the big things if you are dishonest with the little things."
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." Mark 12:30
On the surface this verse is talking about not having idols. I'm thinking that it is also about trusting God. Take the word "love" and switch it with "trust." How awesome is that? Now it is pretty much saying "Trust God with everything you have in life."
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
This verse is also indirectly about trust. It's talking about how we should always trust God to be there, because He is even when it doesn't fell like it.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
The Trust Issue pt. 1
I am the leader of a club at school called Alpha Omega. We are sadly coming to an end with our series on love. What does this mean? Well, I am going to talk about trust and specifically trusting God. I would like to get into trusting people but I don't know if there are any Bible verses on it. If you know of any please tell me.
"In God, whose word I praise
in God I trust and am not afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?"
Psalm 56:4
I had never read this Bible verse before today. It is an awesome Bible verse that pretty much says what I want to talk about. In one of my earlier posts I talked about trusting God and how hard it is. Now I want to talk about why should trust God as opposed to trusting people for things.
God is so big and so powerful that we don't have to trust anything else to provide for us. God is that friend who always has your back no matter what. You can call Him at anytime day or night and He will pick up the phone. I'm not talking about a literal phone but I am talking about prayer.
Prayer is pretty much a way to talk to God. God always, always answers prayers just not in ways we see all the time. For example, I know someone who knows someone who asked God to give them something to do. What did God do? He got her pregnant. Normally this would look like coincidence but I think it was God showing His sense of humor.
If you ask God to reveal Himself to you He isn't going to respond with a flash and a bang. He is going to respond with the beauty of the world He created.
The thing that really strikes me about this verse is the last part. There is something about mortal men not being able to even touch me that blows my mind. Sure, you could break my arm but that isn't anything in the sense that God is watching over me.
"In God, whose word I praise
in God I trust and am not afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?"
Psalm 56:4
I had never read this Bible verse before today. It is an awesome Bible verse that pretty much says what I want to talk about. In one of my earlier posts I talked about trusting God and how hard it is. Now I want to talk about why should trust God as opposed to trusting people for things.
God is so big and so powerful that we don't have to trust anything else to provide for us. God is that friend who always has your back no matter what. You can call Him at anytime day or night and He will pick up the phone. I'm not talking about a literal phone but I am talking about prayer.
Prayer is pretty much a way to talk to God. God always, always answers prayers just not in ways we see all the time. For example, I know someone who knows someone who asked God to give them something to do. What did God do? He got her pregnant. Normally this would look like coincidence but I think it was God showing His sense of humor.
If you ask God to reveal Himself to you He isn't going to respond with a flash and a bang. He is going to respond with the beauty of the world He created.
The thing that really strikes me about this verse is the last part. There is something about mortal men not being able to even touch me that blows my mind. Sure, you could break my arm but that isn't anything in the sense that God is watching over me.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
We Will Soar
Band: MyChildren MyBride
CD: Unbreakable
Label: Solid State Records
Hometown: Madison, Alabama
Sounds Like: For Today, A Plea for Purging, Impending Doom, Whitechapel
Rating: One Thumb Up
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/mychildrenmybride
MyChildren MyBride (MCMB) is a high quality Christian band. When I first got into them I absolutely loved them. I would listen to them pretty much nonstop. I still remember buying the CD after listening to just one song. That's how much I liked it.
Members:
Matthew Hasting - vocals
Kyle Ray - guitar
Robert Bloomfield - guitar
Brian Hood - drums
Hits: Several songs stick out to me when I think of this album. "Faithless" has an awesome intro and its lyrics are amazing. "The Machinist" sticks out because of the lyrics, and "Choke" is by far my favorite song on the album. Its lyrics are a love song and the outro is epic. The art for this album is ridiculously amazing. It is x-rays of someone's skull and also their hands and such. Another thing that I liked about this CD is the vocals. Matthew Hasting isn't amazing, but he can still do some pretty impressive stuff with his voice. The final thing that MCMB has going for them is their breakdowns. Everyone who is in the metal scene knows how important it is to have good breakdowns. MCMB has some pretty amazing ones. The lyrics for all of their songs are good, and talk about varying things.
Misses: Everyone has their flaws and that includes MCMB. Most of the songs except for the ones I mentioned are kind of boring. When I listen to "Unbreakable" I often want to switch to a different song. Each song has something good in it, but most of the "Easter eggs" are in the middle of the songs or in the very end which is a little disappointing.
The Bottom Line: This CD is quality metalcore, and I think anyone would enjoy it.
CD: Unbreakable
Label: Solid State Records
Hometown: Madison, Alabama
Sounds Like: For Today, A Plea for Purging, Impending Doom, Whitechapel
Rating: One Thumb Up
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/mychildrenmybride
MyChildren MyBride (MCMB) is a high quality Christian band. When I first got into them I absolutely loved them. I would listen to them pretty much nonstop. I still remember buying the CD after listening to just one song. That's how much I liked it.
Members:
Matthew Hasting - vocals
Kyle Ray - guitar
Robert Bloomfield - guitar
Brian Hood - drums
Hits: Several songs stick out to me when I think of this album. "Faithless" has an awesome intro and its lyrics are amazing. "The Machinist" sticks out because of the lyrics, and "Choke" is by far my favorite song on the album. Its lyrics are a love song and the outro is epic. The art for this album is ridiculously amazing. It is x-rays of someone's skull and also their hands and such. Another thing that I liked about this CD is the vocals. Matthew Hasting isn't amazing, but he can still do some pretty impressive stuff with his voice. The final thing that MCMB has going for them is their breakdowns. Everyone who is in the metal scene knows how important it is to have good breakdowns. MCMB has some pretty amazing ones. The lyrics for all of their songs are good, and talk about varying things.
Misses: Everyone has their flaws and that includes MCMB. Most of the songs except for the ones I mentioned are kind of boring. When I listen to "Unbreakable" I often want to switch to a different song. Each song has something good in it, but most of the "Easter eggs" are in the middle of the songs or in the very end which is a little disappointing.
The Bottom Line: This CD is quality metalcore, and I think anyone would enjoy it.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Did You Ever Have A Touch To Lose?
I am going to kick this off with a video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLALa7pv3_w
Here are the lyrics to the song. Please read along with the lyrics to one of my favorite songs as you listen to it.
"I swear I've done this before.
Oh so familiar is the mess that I'm in.
I once knew.
Now memories escape and people meet their fate.
This says the man walking out on his wife: "And now the whole world knows".
This says the kid with the rope around his neck: "And now they all will know".
And can't you see that there's still hope, and don't you drown in what the world has told you...
Now I know that I've been here before.
It's the feel of defeat when it finally sinks in.
I feel so desperate.
The barrier is so thick.
Can I get through to you?
"Will I learn from this second chance", says the man who was dropping his pants.
"Do I really deserve to live", says that kid who was slitting his wrists.
And can't you see that there's still hope, and don't you drown in what the world has told you...
I once saw.
But now I am exhausted from this mess, from this mess."
I don't fully understand the lyrics to this song, but I think they are really good. What I can fathom I like and what I don't understand I want to like. If you have any ideas as to what it could mean please let me know.
One of the ways I interpreted the song is how the songwriter either was in the situations, and lots of people found out, or he knows/knew someone who was close who did the said things. Of course I could be wrong.
Another way I sometimes take the song is the possibility that the songwriter thought up some pretty nasty situations, and then decided to write about them.
I just found out that Angie starts prayers how I do. We both start them with "hey God." She picked it up from me. Also, I started to pick up some stuff from her. She says "also" a lot(see how I copied it not too long ago?), and she also taught me how to type out yarp instead of yup. I just realized that we both say "whatchu" instead of "what are you." We have both come to the decision that we are becoming the same person. Which is what we get for hanging out as much as we do.
On a side note: my dad picked up a concordance for me today. Concordances for those who don't know are things in the back of your Bible that have Bible verses listed that relate to certain topics. This means I can write blog posts better huzzah. It also means I can write Bible studies for the club that I am running.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLALa7pv3_w
Here are the lyrics to the song. Please read along with the lyrics to one of my favorite songs as you listen to it.
"I swear I've done this before.
Oh so familiar is the mess that I'm in.
I once knew.
Now memories escape and people meet their fate.
This says the man walking out on his wife: "And now the whole world knows".
This says the kid with the rope around his neck: "And now they all will know".
And can't you see that there's still hope, and don't you drown in what the world has told you...
Now I know that I've been here before.
It's the feel of defeat when it finally sinks in.
I feel so desperate.
The barrier is so thick.
Can I get through to you?
"Will I learn from this second chance", says the man who was dropping his pants.
"Do I really deserve to live", says that kid who was slitting his wrists.
And can't you see that there's still hope, and don't you drown in what the world has told you...
I once saw.
But now I am exhausted from this mess, from this mess."
I don't fully understand the lyrics to this song, but I think they are really good. What I can fathom I like and what I don't understand I want to like. If you have any ideas as to what it could mean please let me know.
One of the ways I interpreted the song is how the songwriter either was in the situations, and lots of people found out, or he knows/knew someone who was close who did the said things. Of course I could be wrong.
Another way I sometimes take the song is the possibility that the songwriter thought up some pretty nasty situations, and then decided to write about them.
I just found out that Angie starts prayers how I do. We both start them with "hey God." She picked it up from me. Also, I started to pick up some stuff from her. She says "also" a lot(see how I copied it not too long ago?), and she also taught me how to type out yarp instead of yup. I just realized that we both say "whatchu" instead of "what are you." We have both come to the decision that we are becoming the same person. Which is what we get for hanging out as much as we do.
On a side note: my dad picked up a concordance for me today. Concordances for those who don't know are things in the back of your Bible that have Bible verses listed that relate to certain topics. This means I can write blog posts better huzzah. It also means I can write Bible studies for the club that I am running.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Love pt. 3
I may or may not have ended my "series" on love. I don't really want to look, but I am going to continue it regardless. For today's post I actually have not one, but two Bible passages to show you. The reason behind using two is this: they both go hand in hand with each other. Sorry the passages are so long, I couldn't decide on which verses to choose for the second one.
"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth."
I John 3:16-18
"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother."
I John 4:7-21
The story behind me choosing both of the passages is kind of funny. I don't have a concordance in the back of my Bible, and so I decided to look up Bible verses about love on the webbernet. The site I used had both of the passages on there. The funny part is I had already highlighted some of the first passage, but failed to see the rest of it.
All of that aside, I am a firm believer that love is an action. I know people who think it is not an action but a feeling. My question for those of you who think that is: how can you feel your death for someone? It says in I John 3:18 "Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." If you look back at my post Love pt. 2 I think you will see that the greatest form of love is dying for someone. How does one feel their death for another?
What really strikes me about both passages is they both talk about doing stuff. Whether it be God doing stuff or us. Another thing that sticks out is how it tells us if you say you love God but hate your fellow person, well then, you don't actually love God.
Why is it this way? God made everything including people. How can you love the artist but hate the art? Or how can you love the art but hate the artist? You can't, simple as that.
"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth."
I John 3:16-18
"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother."
I John 4:7-21
The story behind me choosing both of the passages is kind of funny. I don't have a concordance in the back of my Bible, and so I decided to look up Bible verses about love on the webbernet. The site I used had both of the passages on there. The funny part is I had already highlighted some of the first passage, but failed to see the rest of it.
All of that aside, I am a firm believer that love is an action. I know people who think it is not an action but a feeling. My question for those of you who think that is: how can you feel your death for someone? It says in I John 3:18 "Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." If you look back at my post Love pt. 2 I think you will see that the greatest form of love is dying for someone. How does one feel their death for another?
What really strikes me about both passages is they both talk about doing stuff. Whether it be God doing stuff or us. Another thing that sticks out is how it tells us if you say you love God but hate your fellow person, well then, you don't actually love God.
Why is it this way? God made everything including people. How can you love the artist but hate the art? Or how can you love the art but hate the artist? You can't, simple as that.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
More Of Mah Music
Band: xDeathstarx
CD: The Triumph
Label: Facedown Records
Hometown: Redlands, California
Sounds Like: xTyrantx, xArmed for Battlex, Sleeping Giant, Seventh Star
Rating: Two Thumbs Up
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/xdeathstarx
xDeathstarx is a Christian band that uses Straight Edge values and beliefs in their songs. Their songs hate on modern society's issues and most of the songs on this CD are about friendship.
Members:
Eric Gregson - vocals
Tommy Green - vocals
Josh Highland - vocals
Jason Keller - vocals
Ryan Gregson - guitar
Beejay Hamell - guitar
Daniel Myerscough - drums
Hits: This CD is both brutal and beautiful. xDSx fully maximizes the use of four vocalists. The song "Scars" is my favorite on the album because of the aggressive drums, and the just as scary guitar. "Red Asphalt" is my second favorite song on the CD because it is about being loyal to your friends. The thing that makes this song stand out over the countless other songs about friendship is the fact that the songwriter states he is willing to bleed for his friends. That is pretty powerful.
Misses: This CD can be overwhelming to some just because of its brutality. Everything about this album is straight up in your face. The lyrics in pretty much every song are about someone who either gave up on the straightedge lifestyle or someone who betrayed the friendship that the songwriter had with said person. Thus the CD may be overwhelming to certain people.
The Bottom Line: This CD has good lyrics and good everything else, so why not buy it?
CD: The Triumph
Label: Facedown Records
Hometown: Redlands, California
Sounds Like: xTyrantx, xArmed for Battlex, Sleeping Giant, Seventh Star
Rating: Two Thumbs Up
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/xdeathstarx
xDeathstarx is a Christian band that uses Straight Edge values and beliefs in their songs. Their songs hate on modern society's issues and most of the songs on this CD are about friendship.
Members:
Eric Gregson - vocals
Tommy Green - vocals
Josh Highland - vocals
Jason Keller - vocals
Ryan Gregson - guitar
Beejay Hamell - guitar
Daniel Myerscough - drums
Hits: This CD is both brutal and beautiful. xDSx fully maximizes the use of four vocalists. The song "Scars" is my favorite on the album because of the aggressive drums, and the just as scary guitar. "Red Asphalt" is my second favorite song on the CD because it is about being loyal to your friends. The thing that makes this song stand out over the countless other songs about friendship is the fact that the songwriter states he is willing to bleed for his friends. That is pretty powerful.
Misses: This CD can be overwhelming to some just because of its brutality. Everything about this album is straight up in your face. The lyrics in pretty much every song are about someone who either gave up on the straightedge lifestyle or someone who betrayed the friendship that the songwriter had with said person. Thus the CD may be overwhelming to certain people.
The Bottom Line: This CD has good lyrics and good everything else, so why not buy it?
Friday, September 3, 2010
I'm A L.O.S.T. B.O.Y.
Sorry the lyrics are so dang long. This song just blows my mind.
"I’m screaming so loud, my throat is bursting.
But like a falling tree in the woods, if no one’s listening am I making noise.
Although I’m still snared by the words of my own breath, I realize a body cannot suffer in sweet repose.
Take heart, this will be over soon.
This is everything that you don’t want to hear.
Never again, never again, will my voice fall on deaf ears.
This is everything that you don’t want to hear.
Never again, never again, will my voice fall on deaf ears.
Traded my life for one on the road, gave up it all, but kept my soul.
Hardly a man, no longer a child, I’m just another L.O.S.T. B.O.Y.
Loud, obnoxious, pissed off, kid with something to prove, I’ve got nothing to lose.
I’m ready to die, ready to die, cause I’m a L.O.S.T. B.O.Y.
Dressed in black, with a target painted on my back, I’ve learned to adapt to this pedestal you’ve placed me on.
I’m ready to die, I’m ready to die, we are all lost boys. L.O.S.T. B.O.Y.
We all want what we can’t have, so it’s time we take it all back.
This world’s the iron, we’re the rust, what’s this world going to do with us?
We are the hammer, we must strike while the iron is hot.
It’s time we lead and not follow.
Quit acting like the space inside your chest is hollow.
Search for me, deep in the cities, singing a rebel yell of pity.
There’s more than blood pumping through these veins.
No pain, no gain.
You’ll find me deep in the cities, singing a rebel yell of pity.
There’s more than blood pumping through these veins.
No pain, no gain.
NO PAIN, NO GAIN.
No pain, no gain.
Like a falling tree in the woods, if no one’s listening am I making noise.
Traded my life, for one on the road, gave up it all, but kept my soul.
Hardly a man, no longer a child, I’m just another L.O.S.T. B.O.Y.
Loud, obnoxious, pissed off, kid with something to prove, I’ve got nothing to lose.
I’m ready to die, ready to die, cause I’m a L.O.S.T. B.O.Y.
Dressed in black, with a target painted on my back, I’ve learned to adapt to this pedestal you’ve placed me on. I’m ready to die, ready to die, cause I’m a L.O.S.T. B.O.Y."
MyChildren MyBride
"L.O.S.T B.O.Y.S"
If I were to try to describe myself with a song, this would be the song of choice. There are other good songs that describe me as being Christian or straightedge, but I think I am best described as a L.O.S.T. B.O.Y.
I think that because I am one of those kids who is angry with a lot of people for many different reasons. Another way that this song describes me is how I have something to prove, and yet nothing to lose. I also wear black 90% of the time. Most of the time it feels like I do have a target on my back because people seem to pick on me; they may not realize it, but they do.
Last night my parents and I got into a fight, and it wasn't that bad at least from my perspective. My mom got really upset, but on the bright side my dad finally laid down some rules that apply to everyone in the family. Yeah sure, I do a lot of stuff to tick my parents off, but they also do stuff to tick me off. I hope things start to make a change for the better, but I doubt they will. Am I trying to curse things with my family? No, I just can't see my mom or myself changing within the two years that I am still home.
Today my mom picked me up from practice and we didn't say anything in the car. It wasn't very pleasant, but it was better than a fight.
Well I'm off to play some Resident Evil 5 I think....
"I’m screaming so loud, my throat is bursting.
But like a falling tree in the woods, if no one’s listening am I making noise.
Although I’m still snared by the words of my own breath, I realize a body cannot suffer in sweet repose.
Take heart, this will be over soon.
This is everything that you don’t want to hear.
Never again, never again, will my voice fall on deaf ears.
This is everything that you don’t want to hear.
Never again, never again, will my voice fall on deaf ears.
Traded my life for one on the road, gave up it all, but kept my soul.
Hardly a man, no longer a child, I’m just another L.O.S.T. B.O.Y.
Loud, obnoxious, pissed off, kid with something to prove, I’ve got nothing to lose.
I’m ready to die, ready to die, cause I’m a L.O.S.T. B.O.Y.
Dressed in black, with a target painted on my back, I’ve learned to adapt to this pedestal you’ve placed me on.
I’m ready to die, I’m ready to die, we are all lost boys. L.O.S.T. B.O.Y.
We all want what we can’t have, so it’s time we take it all back.
This world’s the iron, we’re the rust, what’s this world going to do with us?
We are the hammer, we must strike while the iron is hot.
It’s time we lead and not follow.
Quit acting like the space inside your chest is hollow.
Search for me, deep in the cities, singing a rebel yell of pity.
There’s more than blood pumping through these veins.
No pain, no gain.
You’ll find me deep in the cities, singing a rebel yell of pity.
There’s more than blood pumping through these veins.
No pain, no gain.
NO PAIN, NO GAIN.
No pain, no gain.
Like a falling tree in the woods, if no one’s listening am I making noise.
Traded my life, for one on the road, gave up it all, but kept my soul.
Hardly a man, no longer a child, I’m just another L.O.S.T. B.O.Y.
Loud, obnoxious, pissed off, kid with something to prove, I’ve got nothing to lose.
I’m ready to die, ready to die, cause I’m a L.O.S.T. B.O.Y.
Dressed in black, with a target painted on my back, I’ve learned to adapt to this pedestal you’ve placed me on. I’m ready to die, ready to die, cause I’m a L.O.S.T. B.O.Y."
MyChildren MyBride
"L.O.S.T B.O.Y.S"
If I were to try to describe myself with a song, this would be the song of choice. There are other good songs that describe me as being Christian or straightedge, but I think I am best described as a L.O.S.T. B.O.Y.
I think that because I am one of those kids who is angry with a lot of people for many different reasons. Another way that this song describes me is how I have something to prove, and yet nothing to lose. I also wear black 90% of the time. Most of the time it feels like I do have a target on my back because people seem to pick on me; they may not realize it, but they do.
Last night my parents and I got into a fight, and it wasn't that bad at least from my perspective. My mom got really upset, but on the bright side my dad finally laid down some rules that apply to everyone in the family. Yeah sure, I do a lot of stuff to tick my parents off, but they also do stuff to tick me off. I hope things start to make a change for the better, but I doubt they will. Am I trying to curse things with my family? No, I just can't see my mom or myself changing within the two years that I am still home.
Today my mom picked me up from practice and we didn't say anything in the car. It wasn't very pleasant, but it was better than a fight.
Well I'm off to play some Resident Evil 5 I think....
Monday, August 23, 2010
I'm So Scared
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."
Joshua 1:9
One of my friends just called me and told me he had a dream, and I was in it. It was unexpected and ,well, very frightening. When he told me that he had a dream that I was in I thought to myself surely it has to do with my girlfriend, and that's how God is going to respond to my prayers.
I was 100% wrong. My friend told me that in his dream there were three people, Jesus, himself, and me. Jesus turned to me and said "You are the last chance for Huron." In case you don't know Huron is my school. Why me, and why I am the last hope for a school I will only be attending for two more years I don't know.
I have no idea what I am to bring to the table, or how I am to save my school. I will be the leader of a club, and it is a Christian club. Why not me and my club I have no idea.
The second biggest question is how do I save them? I know I can pray for the ENTIRE school, but I took it as you actually have to go out and do stuff to save the people. I have no idea as to which I am supposed to do. I guess I should get prayer for discernment, or just ask people to pray to see if they get words for me.
The biggest and most scary question I have is: what if God is telling me to go out and actually save someone? How do I start a conversation about faith? There are so many other questions, and I have no way of writing them down.
I am also scared about this: the arch of my right foot started to hurt today. Not that big of a deal, but a long time ago someone was praying over me and pointed right to the spot that hurts now. They told me that there would be problems with my arch.
Joshua 1:9
One of my friends just called me and told me he had a dream, and I was in it. It was unexpected and ,well, very frightening. When he told me that he had a dream that I was in I thought to myself surely it has to do with my girlfriend, and that's how God is going to respond to my prayers.
I was 100% wrong. My friend told me that in his dream there were three people, Jesus, himself, and me. Jesus turned to me and said "You are the last chance for Huron." In case you don't know Huron is my school. Why me, and why I am the last hope for a school I will only be attending for two more years I don't know.
I have no idea what I am to bring to the table, or how I am to save my school. I will be the leader of a club, and it is a Christian club. Why not me and my club I have no idea.
The second biggest question is how do I save them? I know I can pray for the ENTIRE school, but I took it as you actually have to go out and do stuff to save the people. I have no idea as to which I am supposed to do. I guess I should get prayer for discernment, or just ask people to pray to see if they get words for me.
The biggest and most scary question I have is: what if God is telling me to go out and actually save someone? How do I start a conversation about faith? There are so many other questions, and I have no way of writing them down.
I am also scared about this: the arch of my right foot started to hurt today. Not that big of a deal, but a long time ago someone was praying over me and pointed right to the spot that hurts now. They told me that there would be problems with my arch.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Love pt. 2
This time we are going to look at love with a whole new perspective; we are going to look at it as more of a action as opposed to a feeling or a mindset.
"'As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other.'"
John 15: 9-17
This passage is crazy! It is so amazing because Jesus calls us friends after he tells us that the best kind of love is dying for your friend. What does he do not long after he tells us this? He dies on the cross for us, his friends. How awesome is that?
As I have said before the best way to love God is to love other people, and the best way to love other people is by loving God. Last night my girlfriend and I had this crazy discussion. She doesn't see us as boyfriend, and girlfriend. This is how she sees it, "I see it as siblings in Christ, friends, then boy/girlfriend." I think it is really cool how she puts our relationship last and how she puts God first, and she also described it as being friends with benefits. She didn't use those words, but that almost how she put it. Yeah sure we hug on each other and stuff, but we aren't going crazy when it comes to getting physical. We may hold hands like all the time, but we are still talking the whole time.
God is also a major part of our relationship. We pray every chance we can, and we also do Bible studies whenever we have the opportunity. When we were talking about it, we said that doing this kind of thing makes us excited for God, and it has strengthened our relationship.
I ended up telling her I love her, even though she doesn't like it when I say that. We had a little "boy girl fight" over this, but we quickly resolved it. I will talk more about that at a later date.
"'As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other.'"
John 15: 9-17
This passage is crazy! It is so amazing because Jesus calls us friends after he tells us that the best kind of love is dying for your friend. What does he do not long after he tells us this? He dies on the cross for us, his friends. How awesome is that?
As I have said before the best way to love God is to love other people, and the best way to love other people is by loving God. Last night my girlfriend and I had this crazy discussion. She doesn't see us as boyfriend, and girlfriend. This is how she sees it, "I see it as siblings in Christ, friends, then boy/girlfriend." I think it is really cool how she puts our relationship last and how she puts God first, and she also described it as being friends with benefits. She didn't use those words, but that almost how she put it. Yeah sure we hug on each other and stuff, but we aren't going crazy when it comes to getting physical. We may hold hands like all the time, but we are still talking the whole time.
God is also a major part of our relationship. We pray every chance we can, and we also do Bible studies whenever we have the opportunity. When we were talking about it, we said that doing this kind of thing makes us excited for God, and it has strengthened our relationship.
I ended up telling her I love her, even though she doesn't like it when I say that. We had a little "boy girl fight" over this, but we quickly resolved it. I will talk more about that at a later date.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Love pt. 1
I could start my mini series off with some of the more popular verses about love, but I decided to start with some more unknown verses.
"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord. On the contrary: 'If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
Romans 12: 9-21
Let's start at the beginning; it says our love must be sincere. This means we shouldn't lie about our love. If you actually love someone, say it! On the opposite hand, if you don't love someone then don't fib by telling them you love them. The Bible also says that we should love each other with brotherly love. This means we should love someone like family even if they aren't blood related.
The next part talks about not lacking in zeal. The passage also talks about how we should continue to serve God. Serving God is pretty simple. It isn't always easy, but it's pretty simple. Love is the epitome of doing God's work.
Not cursing someone is tough. When you say something bad about them you curse them. That's why gossip and such is so powerful. Instead of saying bad things we should say good things about people. That's blessing them, and it has just as much power as cursing them.
Rejoicing with people and mourning with them is pretty straight forward. You should be happy when your friends are happy and should be sad when they are sad. Living in harmony is also pretty simple don't fight.
The last section is basically saying don't be mean to the jerks in your life. Instead be nice to them, and it will put them in a world of hurt. Don't judge people for what they do to you because they will be judged by God, and He measures peoples' hearts where you can't.
I think the rest is pretty straight forward. I hope this post was helpful about love. I'm going to do something new and post some lyrics about how crazy God is in love with you.
Brian "Head" Welch
"L.O.V.E."
"I gave you everything, all the pain life brings
Just to get you to come back to me
I want to give you light, I don’t want to ever fight
Stop resisting and come home to me
You’re so afraid of love, there’s not much time
All the pain inside just makes you want to die
Love me, don’t hate me, you’re angry, it’s OK
Trust me, come this way, live in eternity
I’m the real drug to take, to numb your heartache
Stop your running and come back to me
I’ve had it up to here, I’ve cried way too many tears
You’ll keep suffering till you come to me
Outside you act so tough but inside you cry
All the pain inside just makes you want to die
Love me, don’t hate me, you’re angry, it’s OK
Trust me, come this way, live in eternity
Your soul is mine, your soul is mine
I don’t want to fight
Your soul is mine, don’t be unkind
Your soul is mine, your soul is mine
I don’t lie, I swear you’ll never die
Stay alive when I restore all mankind
Love me, don’t hate me, you’re angry, it’s OK
Trust me, come this way, live in eternity
Come see, you’ll soon be not guilty and set free"
"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord. On the contrary: 'If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
Romans 12: 9-21
Let's start at the beginning; it says our love must be sincere. This means we shouldn't lie about our love. If you actually love someone, say it! On the opposite hand, if you don't love someone then don't fib by telling them you love them. The Bible also says that we should love each other with brotherly love. This means we should love someone like family even if they aren't blood related.
The next part talks about not lacking in zeal. The passage also talks about how we should continue to serve God. Serving God is pretty simple. It isn't always easy, but it's pretty simple. Love is the epitome of doing God's work.
Not cursing someone is tough. When you say something bad about them you curse them. That's why gossip and such is so powerful. Instead of saying bad things we should say good things about people. That's blessing them, and it has just as much power as cursing them.
Rejoicing with people and mourning with them is pretty straight forward. You should be happy when your friends are happy and should be sad when they are sad. Living in harmony is also pretty simple don't fight.
The last section is basically saying don't be mean to the jerks in your life. Instead be nice to them, and it will put them in a world of hurt. Don't judge people for what they do to you because they will be judged by God, and He measures peoples' hearts where you can't.
I think the rest is pretty straight forward. I hope this post was helpful about love. I'm going to do something new and post some lyrics about how crazy God is in love with you.
Brian "Head" Welch
"L.O.V.E."
"I gave you everything, all the pain life brings
Just to get you to come back to me
I want to give you light, I don’t want to ever fight
Stop resisting and come home to me
You’re so afraid of love, there’s not much time
All the pain inside just makes you want to die
Love me, don’t hate me, you’re angry, it’s OK
Trust me, come this way, live in eternity
I’m the real drug to take, to numb your heartache
Stop your running and come back to me
I’ve had it up to here, I’ve cried way too many tears
You’ll keep suffering till you come to me
Outside you act so tough but inside you cry
All the pain inside just makes you want to die
Love me, don’t hate me, you’re angry, it’s OK
Trust me, come this way, live in eternity
Your soul is mine, your soul is mine
I don’t want to fight
Your soul is mine, don’t be unkind
Your soul is mine, your soul is mine
I don’t lie, I swear you’ll never die
Stay alive when I restore all mankind
Love me, don’t hate me, you’re angry, it’s OK
Trust me, come this way, live in eternity
Come see, you’ll soon be not guilty and set free"
Monday, August 16, 2010
Bloody Ears
Last night I went to a concert and it was sick. The lineup was: Taken by Talons, A Bullet For Pretty Boy, Inhale Exhale, Sleeping Giant, and Demon Hunter. I decided to put each band's myspace so you could see what they are like.
Taken By Talons was a decent band. They played enough songs, and the vocalist was good. He knew how to growl and do some other crazy stuff with his voice. Their guitarist was also really good. http://www.myspace.com/takenbytalons
A Bullet For Pretty Boy was a disappointment. They only played four songs, and they were extremely repetitive. During every song they had us clap. I stopped after they asked for the third song. They also told us who they were after every stinking song. On the upside they did talk about Jesus and they prayed before they went onto the stage. http://www.myspace.com/abulletforprettyboy
Inhale Exhale was a lot of fun. I didn't know any of their songs, but they were very sick because they wanted people moshing the whole time. I didn't mosh, but I had fun watching them do it. They were also very full of energy and were handbanging and jumping around a lot. I bought a shirt, and their new CD and enjoy them both. http://www.myspace.com/inhaleexhale
Sleeping Giant was a band I had heard about through HM magazine(Hard Music) and I was really stoked to see them live. I heard they did some preaching and they also were really worshipful. They were 100% brutal. I was not let down in any way shape or form. The vocalist shared his testimony and he also shared a couple stories about what he and his band have done. I ended up losing my voice because they had me screaming along with them. I would love to see them again. They did some really sick stuff when on stage that was totally worshipful. I won't explain it here because I don't want to ruin it for you if you go see them live. http://www.myspace.com/sleepingxgiant
Demon Hunter and I have come a long way. They are the band that got me into metal. I was super excited to see them live because they have been my favorite band since I first fell in love with them. It was really cool because I knew 75% of their songs and Ryan told us if you know the words sing along. Boy, did I sing my heart out. I lost my already lost voice because of them. It was really cool because I got to shake the hand of Ryan Clark, who is the vocalist for Demon Hunter. I would also love to see them live a second time. http://www.myspace.com/demonhunter
All in all the concert was a blast, and I am now hooked on shows.
Taken By Talons was a decent band. They played enough songs, and the vocalist was good. He knew how to growl and do some other crazy stuff with his voice. Their guitarist was also really good. http://www.myspace.com/takenbytalons
A Bullet For Pretty Boy was a disappointment. They only played four songs, and they were extremely repetitive. During every song they had us clap. I stopped after they asked for the third song. They also told us who they were after every stinking song. On the upside they did talk about Jesus and they prayed before they went onto the stage. http://www.myspace.com/abulletforprettyboy
Inhale Exhale was a lot of fun. I didn't know any of their songs, but they were very sick because they wanted people moshing the whole time. I didn't mosh, but I had fun watching them do it. They were also very full of energy and were handbanging and jumping around a lot. I bought a shirt, and their new CD and enjoy them both. http://www.myspace.com/inhaleexhale
Sleeping Giant was a band I had heard about through HM magazine(Hard Music) and I was really stoked to see them live. I heard they did some preaching and they also were really worshipful. They were 100% brutal. I was not let down in any way shape or form. The vocalist shared his testimony and he also shared a couple stories about what he and his band have done. I ended up losing my voice because they had me screaming along with them. I would love to see them again. They did some really sick stuff when on stage that was totally worshipful. I won't explain it here because I don't want to ruin it for you if you go see them live. http://www.myspace.com/sleepingxgiant
Demon Hunter and I have come a long way. They are the band that got me into metal. I was super excited to see them live because they have been my favorite band since I first fell in love with them. It was really cool because I knew 75% of their songs and Ryan told us if you know the words sing along. Boy, did I sing my heart out. I lost my already lost voice because of them. It was really cool because I got to shake the hand of Ryan Clark, who is the vocalist for Demon Hunter. I would also love to see them live a second time. http://www.myspace.com/demonhunter
All in all the concert was a blast, and I am now hooked on shows.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Trying My Hand At New Things
I have said I was going to try out music reviews, well, here one is. Please feel free to comment on it. When I say comment I mean constructive criticism.
Band: xDeathstarx
CD: We Are The Threat
Label: Facedown Records
Hometown: Redlands, California
Sounds Like: xTyrantx, xArmed for Battlex, Sleeping Giant, Seventh Star
Rating: Two Thumbs Up
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/xdeathstarx
Members:
Eric Gregson - vocals
Ryan Bermuda - vocals
Jason Keller - vocals
Ryan Gregson - guitar
Corey Johnson - guitar
Nick Smith - drums
xDeathstarx is by far one of my favorite bands. We Are The Threat is the second full album they came out with. I would write about the other one first, but they re-released their other full length album. Thus I am going to write about this one first. The "x" in front of and behind their name signifies the band as "straight edge." Straight edge is anti-drugs, drinking, smoking, and in some cases premarital sex. The band is Christian, and they write about the fallen morals of society; they also write about straight edge(sxe) values as well as incorporating Christian beliefs into their songs.
Hits: The CD is very aggressive and very musical at the same time. Most of the lyrics are in your face and down to the point. I really enjoyed how they incorperated both Christian and sxe values into their music to make the world appear as bad as it is. XDeathstarx doesn't sugarcoat a thing.
Misses: I don't agree with some of the lyrics like for example they talk about the Rapture. I personally don't believe in it, but it is still great they are reaching out to those kids who need the help they are providing.
The Bottom Line: Buy this album if you want something that is in your face and very brutal.
Band: xDeathstarx
CD: We Are The Threat
Label: Facedown Records
Hometown: Redlands, California
Sounds Like: xTyrantx, xArmed for Battlex, Sleeping Giant, Seventh Star
Rating: Two Thumbs Up
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/xdeathstarx
Members:
Eric Gregson - vocals
Ryan Bermuda - vocals
Jason Keller - vocals
Ryan Gregson - guitar
Corey Johnson - guitar
Nick Smith - drums
xDeathstarx is by far one of my favorite bands. We Are The Threat is the second full album they came out with. I would write about the other one first, but they re-released their other full length album. Thus I am going to write about this one first. The "x" in front of and behind their name signifies the band as "straight edge." Straight edge is anti-drugs, drinking, smoking, and in some cases premarital sex. The band is Christian, and they write about the fallen morals of society; they also write about straight edge(sxe) values as well as incorporating Christian beliefs into their songs.
Hits: The CD is very aggressive and very musical at the same time. Most of the lyrics are in your face and down to the point. I really enjoyed how they incorperated both Christian and sxe values into their music to make the world appear as bad as it is. XDeathstarx doesn't sugarcoat a thing.
Misses: I don't agree with some of the lyrics like for example they talk about the Rapture. I personally don't believe in it, but it is still great they are reaching out to those kids who need the help they are providing.
The Bottom Line: Buy this album if you want something that is in your face and very brutal.
Friday, June 18, 2010
How Have I Been Feeling of Late?
Get ready to read a WHOLE chapter from the Bible! This is perhaps my favorite chapter of the entire Bible.
"I cry out to God; yes, I shout.
Oh, that God would listen to me!
When I was in deep trouble,
I searched for the Lord.
All night long I prayed, with hands lifted toward heaven,
but my soul was not comforted.
I think of God, and I moan,
overwhelmed with longing for his help.
You don’t let me sleep.
I am too distressed even to pray!
I think of the good old days,
long since ended,
when my nights were filled with joyful songs.
I search my soul and ponder the difference now.
Has the Lord rejected me forever?
Will he never again be kind to me?
Is his unfailing love gone forever?
Have his promises permanently failed?
Has God forgotten to be gracious?
Has he slammed the door on his compassion?
And I said, “This is my fate;
the Most High has turned his hand against me.”
But then I recall all you have done, O Lord;
I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago.
They are constantly in my thoughts.
I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works.
O God, your ways are holy.
Is there any god as mighty as you?
You are the God of great wonders!
You demonstrate your awesome power among the nations.
By your strong arm, you redeemed your people,
the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.
When the Red Sea saw you, O God,
its waters looked and trembled!
The sea quaked to its very depths.
The clouds poured down rain;
the thunder rumbled in the sky.
Your arrows of lightning flashed.
Your thunder roared from the whirlwind;
the lightning lit up the world!
The earth trembled and shook.
Your road led through the sea,
your pathway through the mighty waters—
a pathway no one knew was there!
You led your people along that road like a flock of sheep,
with Moses and Aaron as their shepherds."
-Psalm 77
The whole Psalm depicts how I have been feeling lately. In the first couple of verses it states that the writer was to distressed to sleep, or even pray. I have been feeling that way a lot lately.
Like the one time I was in the car on a trip to Kentucky. I couldn't sleep, and I couldn't pray. It was one of the most aggravating things ever. As a result I ended up talking with an adult I trust a bunch, and I also read my Bible. 1 Corinthians to be exact. It was recommended that I read it and so I did, I also highlighted lots of important things.
When I talked with this adult I we talked about the possibility of me dating this one girl. This adult told me about what her son did before he started to date the woman he is now married to. She told me about how to tell if you really love someone everything in 1 Corinthians 13 should ring true in that relationship.
The things stated in 1 Corinthians 13 do not ring true in the relationship with my parents. Both my parents and I get angry at each other quickly, and it sucks. That said, we are going through family therapy which will hopefully help fix most of the problems.
Back to the Psalm. I often think back to the days when things were "better." The reason for the "'s is because every day is a good day. That is according to my cross country coach. He is a very smart man, and I agree with him. With the way he looks at things every day is a good one, so I can't possibly think of a day as bad. Sometimes I forget that every day is a good one, and I think of days as being bad. There is always the possibility of your day being worse. Thus everyday is a good one.
One of my friends who I know loves me has told me something many times. He has stated that God promised to never, ever forsake me. This means no matter how many doors I open for satan God will continue to love me. I think that is amazing. In the past I have been unfaithful to God, and have asked Him "why have you forsaken me?" Of course God hadn't forsaken me, or forgotten about me. It was just me being stupid and opening doors for satan to attack me.
Lately I have been under mega attack, and I have needed mega prayer. Which I have gotten, and I have not been under attack. Which is epic. I have been unwilling to pray for myself because I think that God will ignore my prayers or something. That is ridiculous. God sent His Son to die for me, and that means He loves me a bunch.
I want to be like the Red Sea in the Psalm. That means I want to tremble at the mention of God. Which I think is pretty legit. I want to have such a fear and respect for Him that I tremble at His name.
"He said in a loud voice, 'Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.'"
-Revelation 14:7
We should fear God. Not bad fear, but good fear. What does that mean? Well, it means we should have a healthy respect and fear for Him. We should be afraid of a God who very well could zap you into oblivion. We should fear God's righteous wrath. He could very well kill everyone, but He doesn't because we were made to love Him, and other people. I'm not trying to scare you by any stretch of the imagination. Just trying to inform you.
"I cry out to God; yes, I shout.
Oh, that God would listen to me!
When I was in deep trouble,
I searched for the Lord.
All night long I prayed, with hands lifted toward heaven,
but my soul was not comforted.
I think of God, and I moan,
overwhelmed with longing for his help.
You don’t let me sleep.
I am too distressed even to pray!
I think of the good old days,
long since ended,
when my nights were filled with joyful songs.
I search my soul and ponder the difference now.
Has the Lord rejected me forever?
Will he never again be kind to me?
Is his unfailing love gone forever?
Have his promises permanently failed?
Has God forgotten to be gracious?
Has he slammed the door on his compassion?
And I said, “This is my fate;
the Most High has turned his hand against me.”
But then I recall all you have done, O Lord;
I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago.
They are constantly in my thoughts.
I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works.
O God, your ways are holy.
Is there any god as mighty as you?
You are the God of great wonders!
You demonstrate your awesome power among the nations.
By your strong arm, you redeemed your people,
the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.
When the Red Sea saw you, O God,
its waters looked and trembled!
The sea quaked to its very depths.
The clouds poured down rain;
the thunder rumbled in the sky.
Your arrows of lightning flashed.
Your thunder roared from the whirlwind;
the lightning lit up the world!
The earth trembled and shook.
Your road led through the sea,
your pathway through the mighty waters—
a pathway no one knew was there!
You led your people along that road like a flock of sheep,
with Moses and Aaron as their shepherds."
-Psalm 77
The whole Psalm depicts how I have been feeling lately. In the first couple of verses it states that the writer was to distressed to sleep, or even pray. I have been feeling that way a lot lately.
Like the one time I was in the car on a trip to Kentucky. I couldn't sleep, and I couldn't pray. It was one of the most aggravating things ever. As a result I ended up talking with an adult I trust a bunch, and I also read my Bible. 1 Corinthians to be exact. It was recommended that I read it and so I did, I also highlighted lots of important things.
When I talked with this adult I we talked about the possibility of me dating this one girl. This adult told me about what her son did before he started to date the woman he is now married to. She told me about how to tell if you really love someone everything in 1 Corinthians 13 should ring true in that relationship.
The things stated in 1 Corinthians 13 do not ring true in the relationship with my parents. Both my parents and I get angry at each other quickly, and it sucks. That said, we are going through family therapy which will hopefully help fix most of the problems.
Back to the Psalm. I often think back to the days when things were "better." The reason for the "'s is because every day is a good day. That is according to my cross country coach. He is a very smart man, and I agree with him. With the way he looks at things every day is a good one, so I can't possibly think of a day as bad. Sometimes I forget that every day is a good one, and I think of days as being bad. There is always the possibility of your day being worse. Thus everyday is a good one.
One of my friends who I know loves me has told me something many times. He has stated that God promised to never, ever forsake me. This means no matter how many doors I open for satan God will continue to love me. I think that is amazing. In the past I have been unfaithful to God, and have asked Him "why have you forsaken me?" Of course God hadn't forsaken me, or forgotten about me. It was just me being stupid and opening doors for satan to attack me.
Lately I have been under mega attack, and I have needed mega prayer. Which I have gotten, and I have not been under attack. Which is epic. I have been unwilling to pray for myself because I think that God will ignore my prayers or something. That is ridiculous. God sent His Son to die for me, and that means He loves me a bunch.
I want to be like the Red Sea in the Psalm. That means I want to tremble at the mention of God. Which I think is pretty legit. I want to have such a fear and respect for Him that I tremble at His name.
"He said in a loud voice, 'Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.'"
-Revelation 14:7
We should fear God. Not bad fear, but good fear. What does that mean? Well, it means we should have a healthy respect and fear for Him. We should be afraid of a God who very well could zap you into oblivion. We should fear God's righteous wrath. He could very well kill everyone, but He doesn't because we were made to love Him, and other people. I'm not trying to scare you by any stretch of the imagination. Just trying to inform you.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Be A Hero
I am writing this after watching To Save A Life. This movie would have to be my favorite Jesus movie. The movie is about this kid who has it all, and then starts to lose it bit, by bit. He starts to go to church, and as a result begins to look at life in a different light. He realizes to be a Christian is not to go to church and sit there and pray. He realized we all have to work together as ONE body, and we have to stand up for those who need someone to stand up for them. The term Christian was not created by the Christians themselves; it was created by the people around them. These other people saw how they would act like Jesus, talk like Jesus, and well be mini Jesuses. We need to act, talk, be like Jesus! What am I getting at? Well, be a hero and be bold. What does it mean to be a hero? Do the right thing, talk to that kid at lunch who sits alone, and talk to that girl in the back of the class. Who knows you might save someone's life. Being bold goes hand in hand with being a hero. When I say bold I mean bold for God. Walk up to people and say "hi I'm (your name)." I can't say from experience how it will turn out, but I know this God will put the words into your mouth He wants you to speak. With boldness comes persecution, so be wary of satan, and put on your armor. If you feel attacked go to your pastor or someone who knows how to handle that kind of stuff.
"How long will you defend the unjust
and show partiality to the wicked?
Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless;
maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed."
Psalm 82:2-3
"How long will you defend the unjust
and show partiality to the wicked?
Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless;
maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed."
Psalm 82:2-3
Friday, June 4, 2010
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
"But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
These verses have come up several times in the past few months. Coincidence? I think not. I think it is God telling me "Hey, don't complain about your problems instead be happy you have them. Be happy I can work through your problems to make you a better person, and help others through it."
Lately one of my friends has been bugging me about my perspective in life. They wanted my to change the way I saw what happened in my childhood, what is going on at home, in school, and the like. Because I look at things so negatively does that make me a bad person? No not in my own opinion. "Darkness does not always equate to evil. Just as light does not always bring good" P.C. Cast. It is when someone else is in need that my light side shines and I really come out and help people. I am the kind of person who does not mind having a shirt with snot on it because you were crying so hard on my shoulder. I feel "Splanchna" (which means feeling a gut wrenching compassion) for people I see that are hurting. No one ever comes to me with their problems and it really hurts me when they do that. It hurts me even worse when I pass up an opportunity to help others. I see problems in things that other people never even thought about. The way I see God is much different then the way others see Him. Just ask about my refrigerator or my rug analogies. If you take away my perspective you take away me. Simple as that. You may have noticed I put this paragraph in past tense. I did this because this friend of mine bailed out on me. This is in my own opinion I tend to make myself the victim.
I wrote this a while ago, as a result, I apologize because it is so bad.
These verses have come up several times in the past few months. Coincidence? I think not. I think it is God telling me "Hey, don't complain about your problems instead be happy you have them. Be happy I can work through your problems to make you a better person, and help others through it."
Lately one of my friends has been bugging me about my perspective in life. They wanted my to change the way I saw what happened in my childhood, what is going on at home, in school, and the like. Because I look at things so negatively does that make me a bad person? No not in my own opinion. "Darkness does not always equate to evil. Just as light does not always bring good" P.C. Cast. It is when someone else is in need that my light side shines and I really come out and help people. I am the kind of person who does not mind having a shirt with snot on it because you were crying so hard on my shoulder. I feel "Splanchna" (which means feeling a gut wrenching compassion) for people I see that are hurting. No one ever comes to me with their problems and it really hurts me when they do that. It hurts me even worse when I pass up an opportunity to help others. I see problems in things that other people never even thought about. The way I see God is much different then the way others see Him. Just ask about my refrigerator or my rug analogies. If you take away my perspective you take away me. Simple as that. You may have noticed I put this paragraph in past tense. I did this because this friend of mine bailed out on me. This is in my own opinion I tend to make myself the victim.
I wrote this a while ago, as a result, I apologize because it is so bad.
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