Sunday's Posteriffic POST

My parents are home safe and sound. They had a really good time, and have great pictures and stories from their Mexican vacation. I am so happy it was a good experience for them. They are tan, and just looked like they did not want to leave quite yet.

George and I went to Dave church. It was really good for the both of us. And, it was Richard's birthday celebration.

The man is looking good is he not? Notice the, "you are special" plate which puts extra importance on him. . . if only for the day. We all went a round in telling him one thing about why or how he is important to us. It was really good for George too. And as time passes, even through struggles and "set backs" I see growth, sincere growth. That is a beautiful thing to watch.

~~Drama compounded by confusion. I know what God told me. . . . why then is there doubt amidst it all. hummm, i'll have to put some thought, prayer, and seek mature Spiritual advice on this one (i'm referring to the affirmation I recieved in prayer over Tom).~~

church & library & more church OH MY!

I was amazed, blown away, nourished, enlightened, and empowered by today. Let's look back on the events that took place. Pay attention though, because it does not make a whole lot of sense until the end. Well, I started off at Alliance Community Church. The last time I was here, it was super bowl Sunday. It was great, really great. I liked it a lot, and felt super comfortable there. ~CLICK HERE~ to be reminded of just how comfortable I was. I'm just saying, I love feeling welcomed, and to have God just BE THERE, ya know. It is a beautiful thing when, as Dave would say, "the cause is more important than the people." WOW DOES THAT NEED TO BE TRUE IN EVERY CHURCH!! But anyways, check this out. When church get's out, I go straight to the library. Ohh yes, that is correct, THE LIBRARY!This was my place of study. This picture was taken when I was finishing up my Bible study for the week. And those stripes on my shirt were from the new Polo I got, I look good in it. I'm just saying.... STUDY time was good because on Chapter 7 in my Elements of Law class, I studied and studies a real hard chapter, and got an A+ on the online quiz I had to take. It was 10 questions, you have a maximum of 1 hour to take it, and I finished in 5 minutes. That means I spent thirty seconds on each question. That is pretty good I do believe.

I had made a decision last Sunday at Dave church. I made a decision based on my friend George's reaction after we left. George, who is turning his life around, in an amazing and GOD driven sort of way, said to me, "I really feel at peace there." This in itself, is a huge statement for George. George struggles with anxiety, and does not feel comfortable around strangers. I brought him to Dave church the first time a while back, like 6 weeks ago and he got dropped right into the thick of it. Loud singing and praising to God. I knew it was what he needed, but could only tell him by throwing him into it. I knew he was ready, and I guess I just kind of assumed God would do the rest. I had faith that He would. I rambeled a little bit, i'm not sorry, but I will get back to the library now. The DECISION I had made was that I had to get George back. Ya see, when we left last week, George said to me, "man, we should get some pizza and stay and chill with them." The two times we had gone before last week, he was real antsy to get out of there a.s.a.p. I knew it was a "God thing." So, as soon as he said that, I went with it right away. In fact, God told me that needed to take precedence over whatever else.It was not an audible voice, but it might as well have been. I believe fully that when the Holy Spirit puts something on your heart, you just know it. And the Holy Spirit also gives discernment to know what is of Him, and what is not. So now the CONFLICT came around. I am committed to Young Life. I knew there was a chance I had a Young Life meeting, but instead of checking it right away, and planning accordingly. I just didn't. I suppose maybe I knew inside I would have one, but just didn't want to deal with any possible confliction. So, when I was at the library today I got a text message reminding me along with all the other leaders that we had a Young Life meeting. DO'OH!! It happened. I replied and said briefly that I could not attend because of something important. I got a message back....then a phone call from the YL area director. We talked for a while, and I explained it, but I kind of sugar coated it. I didn't lie directly to him, but sort of in a way. I beat around the bush, and didn't tell him I "kind of had an idea" that we had a meeting. Instead I left him with the thought that I "forgot." I did not tell him what I knew in my heart, which was that God told me to take George. Maybe because I didn't want to tell him that and then find out it was not true.... So I took George, and did not go to the leader meeting. Turns out that tonight was a huge breakthrough for George and Dave Church. We, as a church talked about something really important at Dave church tonight. We talked about our plan as a church. We got some specific things to pray about, and a plan of action in Christ to flow with. George heard it, and said, "I have never really been a part of a church before, it has never really made sense till I came here. I want to be part of this, can I be a part of this?" I about fell apart. My eyes were literally welling up with tears. This was amazing! George "get's it," and see's that what we are doing is for Christ. Like Dave said, the Cause (spreading the news of Salvation) must be more important than the people (body of believers in the Church). That does not mean that you should not build up the body, or grow them, quite the opposite in fact. It was a beautiful thing. God amazes me over and over again. I wrote a lot today. I threw in some pictures to lessen the blow though. Hope it all made sense. :o)

P.S. I tried to call Josh (YL area director) tonight. But, he was not available. I will be calling him tomorrow first thing to tell him exactly what was going on, and apologizing for not being 100% straight forward and explaining why I was not.

Do you believe in what you see?

I had a conversation with one of my friends a while back. We talked of God, and many subjects that were "God concerned." When it came down to the, "well, do you believe in God?" He was kind of beating around the bush, I got an answer that was kind of like, "well, I know everything didn't come from a dust particle." He further explained that it just was not enough. I asked him, "well, would you surrender your life if Christ came back right in front of you, if he let you touch him, or did miracles?" He kind of shrugged and said, "well yea." I have a strong inkling that he would not. I mean, I am studying the Israelites in my Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) and they had God do all the most amazing things EVER, but still choose to turn their backs and go against him, and do their own thing instead. That is where blind faith plays such a HUGE part in the walk with Christ/personal relationship. Trusting no matter what the situation is, allows you to create a relationship with God, that brings you to new and inspirational levels in your life. It is truly amazing. For me, personally. My belief in God can be explained like my belief in the wind. I can not physically see wind. I can not physically touch wind. Sometimes when it is really cold, it will blow past me and give me chills do the innermost part of my bones. When I see a great tree flow back and fourth on a windy day, I can see the impact wind has on it. The wind becomes real and tangible, but not physically present. With GOD, I can not physically see Him. I can not touch Him or have Him physically touch me. BUT, without the slightest doubt in my mind I KNOW he exists. I know He exists when lives change, for better or worse. When I am chilled to the bone after experiencing the Holy Spirit move in such a powerful way, it is just undeniable. Today, the Young Life conference in Louisville continued. We heard the speaker speak, but the WORSHIP music was what really got me. Don't get me wrong, I took some really awesome stuff from the speaker (Jack), but the worship music, and singing to God with 400 other like minded individuals can do something to a person. This was Jesse, he was the worship music leader for the weekend, and boy was I glad he was. Filled with the Holy Spirit that man was. Great music, very fun, very Holy. I am so glad I was able to go to Louisville with my team this weekend, it was GREAT!!

I got home and took George to Dave Church. Again, an amazing message, and George was glad I kind of persuaded him to go. He didn't want to at first, but after I got him there, he was very thankful he did. This is a great picture of Dave. In his message tonight, we talked about the church, and what the Church's stance needs to be on the topic of the cause. His cause, to paraphrase the whole thing would look like this. [The cause is more important than the people]. SLAM BAM, thank you ma'am! These were some of my notes, I am just going to throw them down because I am tired, and I am taking a kid from Snider to breakfast tomorrow morning, so I wanna go to bed. I love you for taking an interest in my life. I really do.
_________________________________
CAUSE: We need 2 do what is in Gods best interest: proclaiming Him & loving Him.
-drawing others to Him.
-doing unto others what we want done to us.
-sacrifice ourselves: live in a way that works for others best interest....no matter what. This must continually be made the central focus.
-thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Do we really strive for that? Making those two one in the same is the goal.
-must be sold out for the cause, willing to die 4 the cause.
-a Clear cause creates community. ++COMMITMENT TO THE CAUSE=COMMUNITY++
-Programs, structure, success, aren't gonna be found in this Ministry, BUT A CAUSE, we will have, and it will be bright and powerful.
-implant and execute the principles that allow real people to do for others what they want done to themselves.
We want the big picture (or big opportunities in life), but God points out the little things & we can't even do that correctly or aren't willing.
-He heals your diseases. we all got problems, not a physical healing, but a healing from any kind of condemning promise there is not.

When it is too hard to move forward in Christ, or maybe it is just too hard at the moment, or frustrating or whatever. At the very least, just stand in Christ. Just stand and accept the Truth of salvation overflow into your heart, slowly everything will do exactly what it needs to do.

the day, my day

Today is Sunday, and I have to admit, for a chill and relaxing day, it was alright. My body was in great need of sleep after that SKI trip, and due to the fact that I have not been sleeping very well for the past 3 days I would say. Anyways, after sleeping in till about 1:30, I woke and returned Tom's car. I met with Tom briefly and everything I heard from him was good, and he has renewed spirits and I think healing is taking place.Richard (as shown above) talked a bit tonight and shared from his heart about the fact that God hurts when we hurt. I could tell just how sincere he was being by the tone in his voice, and the tears welling up in his eyes. That "spiritual tears" can be very real, sincere, and impacting. We touched on the idea that Christ-centered feelings brought in the midst of pain (which are optimism, hope, and grace) can bring a lot of healing. This was kind of where it was going, but I may have done a not~so~good job of explaining. I am tired and my head hurts.Dave church was good today because everyone kind of gave a sermon. Maybe it was just talking about how God is working in our lives, maybe it is just words of encouragement, or laughter. But, according to my definition of "CHURCH," that is what it is all about. Lifting one another up in Christ through all the right things. Common sense plays a big part, but LOVE has to be the defining characteristic of any Church. And Dave church has more love than I know what to do with. Real, sincere, and laughing love. It is a beautiful thing and I have great hope in what is to come. Whatever it might be.

When I got home, my friend George came over and wanted to get some Bible verses from me that he could go over when he get's down, or tempted or anything of that nature. I gladly gave him plenty and that is really cool for me to be able to do because I know he is really searching. Searching is a great place to be. George knows what is Truth (notice the capitol) and seems extremely ready to make changes and heal areas that have been taken over by fear and sin. It is an exciting place to be.