Arbitrary Consideration

God a Genius.

Sun, 04 Dec 2011 02:05:32 -0500

Today I was thinking, like really thinking, like my thoughts were actually put together, not just craziness and what I realized is GOD IS A GENIUS.

Think about it for a second..

Everything we have, everything we use, EVERYTHING came from God. He knew about a light bulb before Edison. Simply was like “hey, Tom, buddy, wanna try something people will think you are stupid for? Let’s make a light bulb.” nobody knew what that was. for them it was a new invention; to me it’s part of my everyday life.

GOD MADE IT. He made us to use other stuff he made to make more stuff. Every little part of if. Every part of everything we do adds yet another piece to the puzzle that as people we make.

I just think God is a cool person.

Maybe they didn’t string together like I thought. But you get the point right? Just incase you didn’t:

GOD IS A GENIUS.

We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord...

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 00:09:31 -0500

We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
And we pray that all unity may one day be restored
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our love

We will work with each other, we will work side by side
We will work with each other, we will work side by side
And we’ll guard each one’s dignity and save each one’s pride
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our love

By our love, by our love

And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our love

We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand
We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand
And together we’ll spread the news that God is in our land
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our love

By our love, by our love

And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our love

Love is patient, love is kind
Never boasts, not full of pride
Always hopes, always trusts
The evidence of Christ in us

Underground Church

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 02:37:56 -0400

Tonight I experienced something that will stick with me forever. Even though our experience was just a learning experience, and no where near what people actually go through. We went through a mock experience of the underground church. Beginning at one place and trying to get to our destination. Our church. The place that was forbidden. Christians are daily prosecuted for their beliefs and this is the only way some Christians can get together as a community to talk about our Father.

We went through a field, hiding in the bushes from the “guards”, even though we knew we were fine it still crossed my mind that to some people in this situation they are in fear. They have put all their trust in God that he will protect them, just to come face to face with somebody who is going to kill them for what they believe.

We made it in and out of bushes, running from here to there, ducking and lying down just not to be seen. We were there at the barn. Our church. But it had been found. This wasn’t just a little joke. There are people who’s churches get prosecuted. Who’s leaders are taken. And what do they do? Well we were lead to another location. We put our trust in somebody we didn’t quite know was there to help us to lead us to our new destination. We backtracked, we prayed, and I noticed a few things: the entire time the moon lit our path, each tree/bush/field of grass God made was used, we put our trust in God that he would just get us there without getting prosecuted.

We took our final run. We made it. To our boxcar church in the middle of a field. For some this is what it may be like. I’m not sure. We were the first of the groups to arrive. Waiting for the groups to arrive. Arrive to a church where we could worship our Father, something that wasn’t just a slap on the wrist for doing, but facing death if caught. I began to ask Jon questions: how would people know who to follow, how would they now who to trust, how would somebody new come about getting into one of these churches. I wish I could just know how God does it. Even the people who are told not to believe in God do. They challenge what they are told because they feel a stronger tug on their hearts telling them to follow God.

We all had arrived. Safely. (yes I know, still just a mock situation, but imagine, just imagine it being the real deal). The thought that there are people at this time making this trek. They are going someplace so they can live out their faith without being prosecuted. This made me think. They are going someplace so they can live out their faith so that they won’t be prosecuted? So that they won’t be prosecuted?! They are still trying to learn more about our God. They are risking their lives. Where I have the opportunity to pull out my bible whenever, wherever. But I don’t take advantage of it. They have to fight to keep their faith going, yet I so often give up on mine even though it is so much easier to live out and learn about.

I don’t know what else to say. I have a lot going through my head right now. I am just in awe with how God shows his love for us.

“his love never fails, never gives up, never runs out on me.”

Father, into your hands I commit my spirit. Thank you for all you have blessed me with. Thank you for the freedom I have. Thank you for all the compassion you show.

Something Beautiful

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 20:46:14 -0400

In your ocean, I’m ankle deep
I feel the waves crashin’ on my feet
It’s like I know where I need to be
But I can’t figure out, yeah I can’t figure out

Just how much air I will need to breathe
When your tide rushes over me
There’s only one way to figure out
Will ya let me drown, will ya let me drown

Hey now, this is my desire
Consume me like a fire, ‘cause I just want something beautiful
To touch me, I know that I’m in reach
‘Cause I am down on my knees, I’m waiting for something beautiful
Oh,Oh,Oh something beautiful

And the water is risin’ quick
And for years I was scared of it
We can’t be sure when it will subside
So I won’t leave your side, no I can’t leave your side

In a daydream, I couldn’t live like this
I wouldn’t stop until I found something beautiful
When I wake up, and all i want i have
You know it’s still not what i need something beautiful

Colossians 3:12

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 10:41:10 -0400

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

this right here is a giraffe licking a mushroom cloud that just...

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 00:29:59 -0400

this right here is a giraffe licking a mushroom cloud that just blew up a city. Quality artist. Can’t wait til its a real tattoo.

"The past is history, the future is a mystery and Today is a gift. That is why we call it the present"

Sat, 23 Jul 2011 11:04:00 -0400

“The past is history, the future is a mystery and Today is a gift. That is why we call it the present”

- Kung Fu Panda

Psalm 13

Thu, 21 Jul 2011 11:52:49 -0400

Psalm 13 (Message)
1 Long enough, God - you’ve ignored me long enough. I’ve looked at the back of your head 2 Long enough I’ve carried this ton of trouble, lived with a stomach full of pain. Long enough my arrogant enemies have looked down their noses at me. 3 Take a good look at me, God, my God; I want to look life in the eye, 4 So no enemy can get the best of me or laugh when I fall on my face. 5 I’ve thrown myself headlong into your arms - I’m celebrating your rescue. 6 I’m singing at the top of my lungs, I’m so full of answered prayers.

Psalm 13 (NIV)
1 How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? 2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me? 3 Look on me and answer, O LORD my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death; 4 my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,” and my foes will rejoice when I fall. 5 But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. 6 I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me.

The past.

Mon, 18 Jul 2011 00:41:05 -0400

This whole summer has been weird for me. It’s the first time ever that everything is just falling into place, and I know it’s God’s doing; because if it isn’t, then there sure must me some fairy of coincidence out there.

Read back a couple tumbles and you’ll see how God was working in my life at camp, Youthfront, and at The Gathering. It was strange to me at first, and sometimes when I really dig into it it’s still strange, but I’m coming to understand a little of what it meant. For me, that was the first time I was just prayed over by people I didn’t know. It scared me. I didn’t know what to do, or even what to think. But they hit the nail on the head with God’s words and I knew my prayers had been heard. I knew that there was really somebody listening to each of my prayers, each of my thoughts, even the unwanted thoughts. He knows and listens to each of them.

The summer has continued. Since the last worship/prayer night I have teenstaffed, I have gone to Dallas, I have gone to Iowa, I have returned to teenstaff, and again tomorrow I go back for my second to last time as a teenstaff (bittersweet moment). Tonight rolled around and I was pumped for the gathering, secretly hoping we would do the holy spirit prayer thing again. And we did. This time the group was a little different, it was just me and some friends: Courtney, Kristen, and Allison. Courtney and Allison were there last month when everything hit me like a 12 ton semi truck. (Those may not be real, I do not know.) All the stuff from the past worship night has been on my mind daily, beautiful things makes me think more than ever. And from all this new questions have risen. Questions about how can I be forgiven for my past when I can’t even let it go and I feel so ashamed about it. Tonight we sang our hearts put and it felt so good. When it got to prayer time two people mentioned giving up my past, and the flower from last month was brought up again. It put me in awe. The holy spirit was present and god was smiling down on us as prayers were answered and forgotten paths were remembered. I will continue to give my life daily to my father in heaven because he has given me more than I could have asked for.

Hopefully with the help of friends I can hand my past over to my father and finally get rid of all my burdens.

“for my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:30

"Find me here, speak to me I want to feel you, I need to hear you You are the light that’s..."

Sun, 17 Jul 2011 01:03:30 -0400

“Find me here, speak to me
I want to feel you, I need to hear you
You are the light that’s leading me to the place
Where I find peace again
You are the strength that keeps me walking
You are the hope that keeps me trusting
You are the light to my soul
You are my purpose
You’re everything
And how can I stand here with you
And not be moved by you
Would you tell me how could it be any better than
this
You calm the storms and you give me rest
You hold me in your hands
You won’t let me fall
You still my heart, and you take my breath away
Would you take me in take me deeper now
And how can I stand here with you
And not be moved by you
Would you tell me how could it be any better than
this
And how can I stand here with you
And not be moved by you
[ From: http://www.elyrics.net/read/l/lifehouse-lyrics/you_re-all-i-want-lyrics.html]
Would you tell me how could it be any better than
this
Cause you’re all I want,
You’re all I need
You’re everything… everything
You’re all I want
You’re all I need
You’re everything… everything
You’re all I want
You’re all I need
You’re everything… everything
You’re all I want
You’re all I need
Everything… everything
And how can I stand here with you
And not be moved by you
Would you tell me how could it be any better than
this
And how can I stand here with you
And not be moved by you
Would you tell me how could it be any better any
better than this
And how can I stand here with you
And not be moved by you
Would you tell me how could it be any better than
this
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this”

- Lifehouse

I am blessed.

Sun, 10 Jul 2011 02:02:42 -0400

I am blessed.

I don’t understand this. First you kill it. Then you keep...

Fri, 08 Jul 2011 09:21:53 -0400

I don’t understand this. First you kill it. Then you keep it? What’s the point? Who wants a dead deer head on their wall? Not me. Plus they just watch you. It’s whatever. Not my life. If it were me I would have just caught the deer and kept it as a pet. Thank you creepy deer head for making me think this early in the morning.

Ignore this.

Mon, 04 Jul 2011 22:39:02 -0400

Have you ever thought what if the dominant race was dogs and we were dogs best friend? Instead of dog being man’s best friend. Like they told us to sit and we sat? That’d be weird.

The gist of this is God rocks. But just to clarify, I...

Sun, 19 Jun 2011 23:57:26 -0400

The gist of this is God rocks. But just to clarify, I can’t draw, this I know. I’m gonna get to the point now.

For awhile I’ve been struggling with getting over things from the past, accepting that I have been forgiven for my sins and that God will help me carry my burdens. All week at camp this is what we talked about. We talked about being washed new, we talked about Jesus’ sacrifice for us, about the loss and the pain and how it was all for us, it all led to the Resurrection of Christ. This week put me in awe. Throughout the week one song kept coming to mind - Beautiful Things, Gungor - I thought about it, I wrote it, I sang it under my breath, I drew this crappy flower with the words surrounding it. I cried out a prayer all week of getting through the past, over coming it, moving on, laying my burdens down at the foot of the cross and turning the next page, finding out who I am and becoming that person. This was my week, it happened daily; I worried, I prayed, I seeked God’s advice, and in the end I was once again able to say I am ready to live my life for Jesus Christ my Saviour.

Today the story continued, I attended vibe where we related the Lion King to the story of Jesus Christ, and I went to the Gathering. I went into The Gathering all excited that it was all worship night, when John Shirley stood up and said we were risking something let’s be honest my heart started to race. I was nervous for what was about to happen. We played a couple more songs and broke into groups. I knew part of my group, Allison and Courtney, but the other two I had never met before, Billy and Shawn. We circled up and John said it was time for somebody to step into the middle of the circle, and we were supposed to ask the holy spirit what to say to them then pray over them for a few minutes so that is what we did, first went Billy, then Allison and next thing I knew I was in the middle of the circle. Billy began to pray; he began to explain how he saw the picture of a girl turning the page of a book and starting a new chapter of a book. Then Shawn said he saw a beautiful flower covered in dust waiting to be uncovered, this continued to not covering up the light on the hill and spreading the love of God, when Shawn was done speaking Billy brought up a song that was on his heart. He said he felt like God was telling him to remind me of the song Beautiful Things by Gungor. I could feel the Holy Spirits presence and I was in awe. These were the things I prayed all week at camp, the song I sang. This was my prayer being answered, I have laid my burdens at the foot of the cross and I am ready to start the next chapter.

All this pain I wonder if I’ll ever find my way I wonder if my life could really change at all All this earth Could all that is lost ever be found Could a garden come up from this ground at all

You make beautiful things You make beautiful things out of the dust You make beautiful things You make beautiful things out of us

All around Hope is springing up from this old ground Out of chaos life is being found in You

You make beautiful things You make beautiful things out of the dust You make beautiful things You make beautiful things out of us

You make me new, You are making me new You make me new, You are making me new

You make beautiful things You make beautiful things out of the dust You make beautiful things You make beautiful things out of us

People.

Thu, 09 Jun 2011 00:18:30 -0400

You like the wrong ones. The wrong ones like you. You don’t know what to say, or even how to act. They piss you off, on occasion can cheer you up. Friends you were so close with, now seem so far away. Every person a little different. If only it all came easier.

That’s how I feel about people right now. Freakin.

Tornado thoughts...

Sun, 22 May 2011 01:10:56 -0400

So in the past month I was given a project. This project was for psychology, we had to make a timeline of our lives, showing how we developed when and how according to certain people. At the end we had to write and obituary, answering certain questions. These questions were hard to answer.

On a sidenote this whole “the rapture is happening today” (which i dont believe) and this crazy storm/possible tornado scare me to think what if this is the end. What if the obituary I wrote two weeks ago is the real deal.

Back to my point. But it asked questions like are you happy with your life? What things went well in your life? What things went bad? Could you of changes anything? What was your biggest accomplishment? And there are so many more you could continue to ask yourself. They are all so difficult to answer at times; some you may not have an answer for, others you may not be able to choose just that “one” answer. All these memories come back, then you try to remember the things you can’t. It’s tough to answer the questions, but they keep strolling through my head. If today was my last day, I honestly have no clue how I would answer them.

http://d3uwin5q170wpc.cloudfront.net/photo/96336_700b.jpg

Fri, 13 May 2011 23:40:38 -0400

http://d3uwin5q170wpc.cloudfront.net/photo/96336_700b.jpg

http://www.photosfan.com/images/slow-motion-lightning.gif

Thu, 12 May 2011 23:13:43 -0400

http://www.photosfan.com/images/slow-motion-lightning.gif

Studying- verb: definition- waste of time.

Tue, 10 May 2011 22:39:18 -0400

Studying- verb: definition- waste of time.

http://www.upack.com/images/info/population.jpg

Mon, 09 May 2011 12:15:33 -0400

http://www.upack.com/images/info/population.jpg