Look Up at the Stars and Your Gone

the year

2010-12-24T14:45:00.000-08:00

well. its been a heck of a year.
Ive had a mustache, beard, mohawk, shaved my head twice, grown it out long and the rest of my life has been even crazier than my hair.
My dad retired, found a new job, my moms back working full time.
I transferred universities from Upland Indiana (aka middle of nowhere) to Loyola in Down Town Chicago. life is good
God is good

Its been a long December and there's reason to believe mabey this year will be better than the last.

lazy day

2010-11-11T10:25:00.001-08:00

I thought I had to work today... alas i do not.
Its thursday. no class. no work.
I probably should do home work. But I wont.
I've become completly apatetic towards school.
Mabey I will go to the well and work out.
ill probably read my Bible. or draw.
or play some guitar.
idk. ive got to do something.
sitting here. . . is the worst.
I'm literally doing nothing.

Prophecy

2010-11-01T17:36:00.000-07:00

So I've been up in the air recently.
Not about any particular thing... more just about anything.
Truly I am in the midst of a Marcian chrisis.
A text book case of Identity moratorium.
This is ok though. I have been thinking alot lately.
The idea of living simply is so apealing. This is a statement that carries a dual meaning.
to live simply coudl mean to live out of a van owning two pairs of underware and eating whatever God provides you... or it could mean not getting an education, not caring, and just doing whatever feels good at the time.

It would be so easy to run off to chicago, party on the weekends with friends, do a good deed here and there, get married, get divorced, get married again, own a crappy car, and rent an appartment.

this is me speaking as the hard rock on which the word of God falls.

then there is the option of getting a degree and buying a nice car and making payments and gettin gmarried and being committed and buying a house and having kids and living the american dream.

this is the seed that fell umong the thorns.

what I need to do is find out what it looks like for Gods word to sit well in me and to turn my stomache sour and to grow in me. I need to persevere this testing and make a decision.. im sick of this luke warm faith.
I want to let God do incredible things through me.
the bible talks about raising the dead and healing the sick in Jesus name.

Gahndi doesnt have crap on that.

So why do I not inherit that power. How do I become more in tune with the holy spirit.

Music?
People?
The Bible?

God where do you want me.

Im so upside down right now. I just want you to put some grass beneath my feet. Please.

september

2010-09-06T18:45:00.000-07:00

Back to school and studying at Southside Dinner. The waitresses come and go but the atmosphere always stays the same. Though im stressed and gettin kindof sick from the season change it's nice to have somthing to study again. I do wish I was getting closer to the guys on my floor though. I wanted to be so much more connected than I was on my last floor but i find myself even more detached. This isn't going well.

work is good. I'm working close to double what my credit hours are. Ever feel like school is on the back burners. I'm there.

Its funny how the last two statements seem to contradict yet co exist.

Fall

2010-08-31T08:17:00.000-07:00

So summer has come to its end and school has begun.
I'm excited for this semester. My new roommate, new dorm, intenship, relationship, bands, classes, and everything else.
It's been so good seeing old friends. and making new ones.
I can't wait to see how God moves on this campus this year.
I just hope i don't get in the way too much and that I can do my part.

Jim and Ave

2010-08-08T16:48:00.000-07:00

So saturday the Crew of Boat Church went to do some chores for a couple in the area who is moving. Jim and Avaline are the cutest old couple Ive ever met. Maried in their late 20s they have now been together 45 years. They are moving from upland to hartford and their house needs some serious work. It was so lovley chatting with Jim and working in the afternoon heat. They are a truley unique couple with a special sensitivity to the spirit. Just wonderful.

The Emerson

2010-08-06T20:49:00.001-07:00

The Colourful Played at the Emerson tonight. A wonderfully shady little venue. I met a guy named Wes. Hes fantastic. Wes plays bass for Call You Out. All great guys. I'm hoping to hang out with them more. For now I'm going to spend some time with my little sis. She is in town to visit and it's been great hanging out with her. I miss my family. Though I don't regret moving out this summer. It's been good.

Boat Church

2010-08-02T19:17:00.001-07:00

So some friends and I have decided to start getting together to worship on Saturday mornings. The initial idea was to take my boat "Pablos Cruise" out on a local lake and then beach it on an island. There we would hold a worship service.
Due to rain we ended up holding the service in a pavilion (which was a total blessing that it exists!)
It was wonderful. We shared testimonies, and dreams for what the Kingdom of God can look like here on earth.
Every other Saturday we will meet at the lake. and on the weeks we don't meet there we will do service projects in the community.
This week. Jim and Avaline.
I love this brother and sister dearly and want to help them sell their house.
Well be painting, patching. organizing and anything else needed to get them into their new home.
I want to be a part of a simple church.
that offers a differnt way of life.

Youth Group

2010-07-28T20:28:00.000-07:00

God is wonderful.
An answer to prayer.
The Yellow Team won.
I hope those kids have the night of their lives.

Dishes

2010-07-24T19:23:00.000-07:00

Woke up this morning at 9am.
I stumbled to the fridge and then headed over to see this girl I like.
She had just woken up.
We sat and talked for a bit in the morning heat.
I got up and headed back behind my house to get some logs for the neighbors.
They have fires almost every night and were running low.
After getting some coffee, my friend (who I like quite alot) came over to help me.
After finishing up transporting the wood I got ready for work.
Went to upland and worked on my friends trike for a bit.
She bought it used from a man named Sam.
we've been planning to fix it up all summer and just started now.
Smelling of vinegar, rust, and sweat i went to work.
Water deliveries, Table setups, Problem solving.
All part of the Job.
Now I've had a moment to catch my breath.
It's raining.
And there's nothing to be done.
20 minutes left on the clock.
It's raining.
There's and amber alert.
It's pouring outside.
The kids that are missing are 5 and 9
The last thing this town needs is another tragedy.

Lord rattle our cage.
Teach us to fear you.
To trust you.
Get us through this time.
Be with the family.
Lord.
Send your Holy Spirit over Upland.
Protect them.
Help them through this storm.

I'm going to go home.
I'm going to do dishes.
Amen.

Meeting

2010-07-22T09:55:00.000-07:00

So this morning John and I had a meeting at Paynes (a great local coffee and ice cream joint owned by the coolest couple you'll ever meet).
We went over my preaching last Thursday and some other things. Mostly about the fall and upcomming events. I'm really excited to start a middle school / high school worship team. I loved playing at church back at that age (and still do).
I had an incredible weekend in Chicago. Got to see a whole bunch of old friends and make some new ones.
Then last night I went on a great date. Walked through Hartford City after sunset and talked. Got some ice cream at McDonalds. Thats a requirement for me to date a girl. that she likes walking and McDonalds soft serve (or carmel sundays as it were).
Also a shout out to my girl Noeha Kelly. A better hostess could not be found anywhere. She hooked me up with a bed and food while I was in Libertyvil Illinois. Good times. Shes a great sister whose been through so much and I'm extatic to see her walking patiently in the Lord.
Never thought I'd say it, but I cant wait for Taylor to get back in session. I miss a lot of my classmates there. Its gonna be a good fall semester.
I can feel it in my bones.

2010-06-06T17:49:00.000-07:00

I miss my brother dearly
He always had a way of...
kicking my butt.
call it iron sharpening iron
but i know it was a steel toe boot.
I'm glad I let him in.
I never had to hide anything from him.
No matter how bad I messed up.
He forgave me.
Worked with me.
Prayed with me.
I miss that discipline.
That accountability.
That Love of a brother.
Drew Getz, wherever you are, I hope you still call me out.
My prayers and my heart go out to you.

Walt

2010-05-31T17:25:00.000-07:00

"To all who come to this happy place; welcome. Disneyland is your land. Here age relives fond memories of the past ... and here youth may savor the challenge and promise of the future. Disneyland is dedicated to the ideals, the dreams and the hard facts that have created America ... with the hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration to all the world."
-Walt Disney

"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done."
-Jesus

Today I was reading in a beautiful old book called Pearls From Many Seas, the content on Activity. It made a solid point. People can create all sorts of things, entire worlds, but their perception is skewed. People feel like if they're not accomplishing something great, like Walt Disney. He is a man who created an entire world set to his own standards. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul? Jesus spent 30 unrecorded years living in a dusty little town working as a handy man. then he became homeless and wandered the country side for three years as a servant. Then He died on a cross. By Walts standards I'd say he failed. But the truth is that He accomplised the greatest task in all of time. He paid the price for all our sins. Mabe I need to stop being so antsy. I need patience. I need to live by eternal standards. Who knows what success looks like in Gods plan. The only thing to do is to trust and submit.

Please pray for dicipline for me.

The Colourful

2010-05-29T21:36:00.000-07:00

So one of the biggest blessings in my life has been the opertunity to play in a band called the Colourful. Being around these guys has truly been iron sharpening iron. There is a musical push and pull. A tension and a release. We all bring something to the table. One body, Many members. Thank God for Musical talents among brothers.

Abducted

2010-05-28T21:43:00.000-07:00

Soooo,
I love my Friends
They kidnapped me
For my birthday
Blind folded
Put in a car
Driven around
In a house
Suprise!!!
All my closest
College Friends.
Who could ask for more

Summer Begins

2010-05-26T14:52:00.000-07:00

Woke up.
Spent a few hours
splitting wood.
Drove to see
my folks.
Took the boat
out for the
evening.
A nice start
to my Summer.
I'm almost done unpacking my belongings. The house is hot and I'm home alone. The quiet is nice though, I can finally get things done. The only thing I hear above the hum of the fans and the occasional passing car is the record player. John Mark McMillan sings to my soul

"Good morning brokeness
You know you've cut me to the bone
Like one of those days in the middle of the winter
The kind that you can't run away from
And we've been here for so long
But I found a way to appease you
Inside this alabaster jar

And I'm crawling on the floor
Just to find you now
To tell you how I feel I'm falling all over myself"

selfish

2010-05-16T23:20:00.001-07:00

I know what you want from me
Yet I keep on my path
I have no idea why I'm fighting you
You are the King
Lord of Lords
The most High
Savior
These momentary thrills are no match
For the Peace You bring
And through it all you send blessings
I need to grow up.
This is my year
Right?

the bean

2009-12-30T20:38:00.000-08:00

Why is it that
a trip to Chicago
isn't complete
without a picture
at the Bean?

This is what im longing for

2009-12-26T21:16:00.001-08:00

Another summer day.
A short drive with friends.
A muddy swimming hole.
Some one to splash.
The current of the river bend.
A tall tree with a rope to swing from.
A kiddie pool as a makeshift raft.
Twin brothers to fight with.
Cate and Katie to be ok.
My running buddy by my side.
All these things I miss.
I wonder what the next adventure is.
God ... take me there.

Conviction

2009-10-26T18:48:00.000-07:00

So God kicked me in the butt tonite.
Yesterday at 10:30 PM, Jo and I sat behind Nusebaum Sience center and talked about how we fealt like we weren't truley learning. Rather than consuming information and wrestling with it, we were just having it served to us and the moving it around on our plates like some of you mothers meat loaf that you didn't want to eat.
Today I was in the memorial prayer chapel ( for the first time in too long ) and God spoke to me.
Matthew 23. Entitled the 7 woes.
(not exactly the scripture verse I was hoping God would lead me to)
I am the blind guide, I am the hypocrite, I desire the place of Honor yet am not a servant to others.
I realized how prideful I am.
I don't even think I realize the depth of my pride now.
Why must I always qualify everything.
I'm going to try and stop putting astriks behind all that I do.
I want to walk with integrety befor the Lord.
Peace,
Zach

after 230

2009-10-22T08:38:00.000-07:00

So I went for a walk through the streets of Chicago.
Imet a guy named tony.
if your interested please E-mail me about this encounter.
Totally a God thing.
Theresa and I wen to lunch and then back to the appartment.
My brother Tommy came and got me.
I went with him back to his house and we saw his new car... a 1980's bmw.
I got a call from theresa. she was crying.
Tommy drove me back to the appt and then went to park the car.
When I got to her door she threw it open and fell sobbing into my arms.
He had move on.. she hadn't.
when tommy came upstairs she had pulled herself together.
We decided to go out.
Tommy's back doors don't open, so we had to crawl in the window.
We went to two different Hooka bars, I told them I couldnt partake because of a covenant I signed but that i would be fine tagging along and just ordering a tea.
We ended up not staying at either becuse they were so packed.
Belmont is nice at night. Not michigan ave nice, but not lasal street bad.
we drove around for a while and I saw ramone and Jake!
we decided that White castles was the best option
so a crave case was what we got. and the traditional drink consisting of a little of everything the fountain had to offer.
it tasted like melted popsicles.. it always does

the next day

2009-10-21T10:23:00.000-07:00

I woke up on saturday morning around 930 am.
thought about calling my girlfriend to say good morning... God wanted that time from me.
I laid there in an athiests appartment and did my devo's while the rest of the people slept soundly in their rooms.
I walked down the hall to theresas appartment and she let me in.
Aneesha was still asleep.
Theresa made cinimaon pancakes but ran out of batter and so added flour to fill its place.
By 1130 we had to leave the building.
she had class at noon and I was not permitted without her on the premesis.
I went to chicago public library to study.
its nice and quiet on the 7th floor... where the fiction books are.
A homeless lady wandered in and sat near me.
Then a college aged girl on the other side of me.
When the homeless lady started mumbling the other girl gave me a look.
the homless lady fell asleep and me and college girl began to talk.
We were both dating Jo's (hers Joseph, mine Jordan)
both loved the nintys and music
both from rural areas
shes a pilot, a femenist, and a unitarian.
We exchanged emails and went about our own ways.
It was only 230 in the after noon at this point. . theresa wouldnt be free until 330.
what to do what to do.

speaking of chicago

2009-10-20T12:23:00.000-07:00

It was a 5 1/2 hour train ride from indianapolis to union station in chicago.
I met theresa at the bean.
at about noon we went to a little cafe of adams street.
once we had eaten we went back to her appartment off state and 8th.
I fell asleep in her bed. she was on the couch listening to an old record.
A hot cup of black tea pressed against my arm woke me two hours later.
"ouch...uh... what time is it?"... "You snore". "oh... sorry"
I met the guys down the hall. . art school kids fit the mold.
That night we went to the movies. saw zombie land.. great film. . not for kids.
Ted Dekkers neice said Hello to me after the movie. She stayed in my girlfriends room last weekend. . . small world
We went back to zachs appartment. he made us pizza and we did a bible study.
I slept at Johns appt. it was a good day. I love traveling.

French toast sticks

2009-10-12T06:34:00.001-07:00

We had French toast sticks in the DC for breakfast this morning... God is good. :)

its always thanks giving

2009-10-11T18:49:00.000-07:00

Today I was making panckakes in the lobby of my dorm. There were tons of people there, some watching tv, others studying, many just socializing with books open in front of them. as I was cooking i would either offer or people would ask for a pancake. I was glad to share with them (mixing water in to panckake mix and pouring it onto a hot skillet is not rocket science). One girl had not gotten over to dinner and was not sure what she was going to have for dinner so peanut butter pancakes were a huge blessing for her. as I was cleaning up a feeling over came me. It feels like thanks giving.
I remembered my aunt washing dishes as some of the family talked around the table, the kids played, and others zoned out on a football game. That feeling of calm comotion. When everyone is glad to be lazy and social and together. That was the feeling in the lobby. Thats always kind of the feeling. Theres always people, not usually being productive and something about college studying is similar to the feeling you get when you eat a lot of turkey... you just want to sleep.
Though I doubt that text books transmit triptophayne into my system, and the people in my dorm are not my family it sure does feel like thanks giving in Gerig Hall.

Story time

2009-10-08T07:14:00.000-07:00

There are two small windows in my dorm room. Seths desk is right infront of one of them and mine in front of the other. As I look out side my window i see a big old tree that is bright orange because all its leaves have turned color. Something about it makes me want to curl up with a good book a warm blanket and my closest friends and wait for winter to come. I love fall. I also have this longing for scripture to tell me a story. I just want to sit down with my bible in a comfy spot and feel like its my grandfather telling me a Christmas story. Its a good feeling and a good time of year. everything feels like its got a burnt orange color to it. its good. also. I am wrestling with Matthew 25. I don't under stand the parable of the 10 virgins. I suppose I should re-read, pray, ask others, and pray some more about it. hm.

Upland

2009-10-05T08:18:00.000-07:00

Today in chapel we had a speaker who I know pretty well. Her name is Malesa, she is a senor here at Taylor, and she talked about her living situation across town- among other things. She talked about how ashamed she felt to have a Taylor University sticker on her car window. She feels like her neighbors view her as condescending. All she wants is to follow Christ and to love her neighbor but she feels like she is a walking billboard for middle class condescending america. I often feel the same way. Like im just fitting the mold. My hair cut, my cloths, my car. It all adds up to one more harmless white kid who is getting a college degree. Sometimes I wrestle with the thought that it would be easier to stay focused on Christ if I was living in down town Philly with 7 other Christians in an old jank row house. That would be a much more apparent and tangible sacrifice for Christ than University life. But both are hard and need worked at. I just pray ( and your welcome to pray for me too :) ) that I can use my academic life to Honor and Praise God. That I can focus on my studies and use time studying instead of relaxing or goofing off as a sacrifice for Christ. It may not be a crazy story, but I believe its where God has called me to be for now.
Grace and Peace,
Zachary

Parents weekend

2009-10-03T08:01:00.000-07:00

so everyone is on their best behavior, and all the rooms are tidied up real nice. Its interesting the way we change how we act for peoples parents. My mom and dad are coming out to see me at noon. it should be interesting. My room set up is anything but common. Beds are lofted onto desks and book shelves, and my mattress doubles as a couch on the floor sorrounded by bean bags. This floor lounge is all illuminated by Christmas lights and band art work. all in all its pretty good. i'm a fan.

Its october

2009-10-02T10:11:00.000-07:00

It's October! the leaves are mostly turned and the weather is cooling down. I love it. Fall is my favorite time of the year. I pulled a box of sweaters out of my closed today and am excited to start wearing them. I'm also working on finding a train that will get me to Chicago. It reminds me of John Foreman saying that home is a place you can still get to by train. I love that image. so hopefully the 16th ill be on my way to Chi Town to see Theresa and Tommy. I love those two.
Peace,
Zach

Initiation

2009-09-12T12:12:00.000-07:00

It was the end of "Welcome Weekend".
Everone was on campus and classes had just started.
As part of the school year beginning everyone had a hall meeting.
Sitting there listening to the does and don'ts was as boring as youd expect.
As the half and hour meeting came to an end you could sense anticipation in the air.
From the freshmen it was anticipation to get back to studying or hanging out.
For the upper class men it was for Initiation.

"All right. so i think thats it then... its time" not the closing remarks for a meeting we expected.
after five seconds of silence and glances all around the hall all the upper class men jumped up and began letting out deep bellowing yells. it reminded me of a battle yell, the kind that between even the small number of men on our floor never seems to die down from that testosterone filled hum.

we were told to go and get a shirt and to bring nothing else. the freshmen were all hurried to their rooms by yells and shoving then quickly moved down the stairs. taken outside into the cool nite and lined up agains the back of the building.

"Hands against the wall!" we were commanded militantly. Then our extra shirts were taken and tied around our heads as blind folds. at any one time you were being commanded and yelled at by at least 3 different upperclas men so the best thing to do was to just stay with your hands against the wall. we were then all taken by the arms and run all around campus. Blind folded of course.

We were told we were out side of Girls dorms and then they made us sing im a little tea pot or twinkle twinkle little star in our highest voice possible. periodically we would be interupted and told to do push ups. This seemed more like boot camp than a Christian College.

after 15 min of running around blind folded doing rediculous things we were lead into the woods. you could feel the mulch of a path under your feet and the leaves of trees periodically brushing your arms or face. The one thought on my mind was... why the woods... nothing is back there except... the lake.

You knew we were all together because you could hear all the others around you. once we were assembled in a clearing we were all made to run in what fealt like a circle. someone grabbed my shoulder and escorted me away from the circle after about 3 min. i could hear 3 or four people around me but i could also hear that we were headed farther and farther from the group.

"ok now careful.. step up." the wood undr my feet. . could it be the dock?... would they relly do that. "ok .. ok.. step foreward carefully." i could sense mor people here. "now theres a chair behind you. sit down slowly" when i sat the chair was not sitting flat. i could feel two people behind me already holding the chiair. There was anothe person by my left leg.. he grabbed the chair. you could sence that they were getting their grip to lift the chair. my only question was to where. was it just to be lifted and carried around or lifted and then dumped with me into the cold lake. "put your legs out straight... tighten your abs. good legs straight!"i was directed..the man who had been guiding me set his hand under the right leg of the chair and then the question i was waiting for " do you have anyting electronic with you?"

before I could answere they began count down ... One! Two! THREE!!!

in that instant they ripped of my blind fold and...

before me sat an upperclass man who took gentle hold of my foot and dipped it into a bowl of warm water. another man began to read

"Jesus got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him."

My breath was taken away.. they washed my feet and as soon as this simple, beautiful, servant action was done. there was a line of men ready to embrace me and say "welcome to Foso".

lazer lights

2009-08-26T21:20:00.000-07:00

Through the chaotic sounds and the blinding flashes of light there should be a message.

when we started the band there was supposed to be a message. we were promoting something different. a good time you didnt have to feel bad about or hide. a cleaner brand of rock-n-roll. an unconventional way to fellowship.

the band has been a different thing to many different people. alot of Latrobe is part of the band. their attendance and suport made us who we are on the music scene... or did they.

Certainly they were a big part. but the bigger part is the one who brought us all together. the master planer himself. That one night after worship band practice developed into so much. But we cant forget that. We cant allow our selves to become all noise and lazer lights. theres a message there. that we need to share. We need to live it. To sing it. To scream it into every microphone we come across.

The message is that no matter how big or small your talents are God, a true living God, will guide you to use them for his glory. That you are a sinner. in need of a savior. and the time is now. right now... to start living like it matters. Because to Him... you do matter.

New = Normal

2009-08-25T18:20:00.000-07:00

So its off to taylor university in just three days. Its a new chapter in life and a new adventure. im excited for the challenge and the freedom. ive never been so excited about studying, or networking. Im used to being the new kid. but this time... everyone is the new kid. Since new is normal for me... life is good :P.

God has blessed me with this oppertunity and Im excited to see whats instore further down the road.

Cram!

2009-06-23T08:45:00.000-07:00

so my time here at cram has been intense. well busy at best. yesterday i woke up at 630. i showered, ate breakfast. went to class by 8. 3 hours whent bye... I had an hour break so i used it to start a paper. Ate lunch and was at my second class by 1. Class got out at 230. i came back and wrote a paper about speaking intongyes until 5 (dinner). after dinner i came back and had a talk with a friend of mine. one of my pas (personel assisistants). then we had a group meeting and then i came home and wrote some more until 11. i got in a wrestling match and got turned into a pritzle. then i finished a take home test at 200 am. woke up this morning at 630. its been like this all the time.. im very tired.

Its been a while

2009-06-13T20:08:00.000-07:00

It's been a while Since I could hold my head up high

its a stained song. and ive got to tell you ive fealt a litle staind lately.
Kentucky changed me
im sooo ready for a new chapter in my life.
now Im at cram... 3 weeks at taylor university.
I can finally hold my head up high!

Grace and Peace
Zach

dizzy

2009-05-15T20:13:00.000-07:00

Last night I went to bed early. I fealt awfully dizzy. Like light headed. A little nausous ... but mostly just dizzy. I dropped my girl off at her house and she noticed something was wrong. She got so worried about me. I went home and fell right asleep. When I woke up this morning I reached for the cup of water on my night stand and in the motion of bringing my arm from one side of my body to the other my head was sent spinning and I missed the glass all together. Against my girls advice I went to school. The morning was filled with similar glimpses of virtigo. By lunch I fealt much better. My life has become very dizzy since i turned 18. Im so ready to live and yet I dont know what that is supposed to look like. Im gonna go pray now.
Zach

swing life away

2009-05-05T19:28:00.000-07:00

It's been a long time since i've fealt like I could just swing life away. since ive been in a place where the friends make it home. I miss feeling at home. I miss living each day onfire for Christ and finding rest in the lawnchairs of friends that truley were brothers and sisters to me. hours spent talking, not havting to do anything. and yet helping eachother through everything. Idk. she makes me feel like that. but its an interesting time in life.. were all about to have the rug pulled out from under us... in the mean time.. watch this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_WwsA_Ky-k

Combat

2009-05-04T18:29:00.000-07:00

So here we find ourselves. silly as it may be.

She is so ready to go into battle... and I'm just trying to stay afloat.

Shes good for me ... you know... Its funny... shes teaching me just what I need...

How to listen.

Plans

2009-05-02T16:01:00.000-07:00

I seem to be stressing over my failing plans

It'll be alright, its all in Gods hands...

Why is my eye so squintey?.. hm

The musical

2009-04-30T19:40:00.000-07:00

So the 40 day bible has been interesting. im still caught up in exodus... wayyy behind.. but its cool. i need to get in the word more. tonite I went to our spring musical.. Grease. its funny how ronchy the story is.
everyone smokes, everone drinks. If you don't fit in the crowd that constantly fills themselves up with those things then you fit in with the prissy cheer leader crowd. the Jocks that want nothing but to be the best and if they arent the best they are nothing...
It appears there are two solutions to your problems. Conquor them in style ... or run from them with ciggaretts, alcohol, and other worldly crap.
I find myself stuck in the middle. "too weak to give in, too strong to lose"(foo fighters)
What I need to do is run to the cross. To stop feeling like I have to prove myself and to stop thinking that my dreams are too big for me to ever actually accomplish. I need to spend some time in quiet prayer to Jesus. I need to make sure that I'm living for him. cause i need to lose my life to save it. Hm. funny how that works. peace... zach

40 day Bible

2009-04-19T18:41:00.000-07:00

Hey guys. so here we go. in this post are listed the dates and what our reading assignments are for those particular dates. first here are some things you should know.

The purpose of this endevour is not to fully understand the scriptures but rather to gain perspective. To read the entire Bible in such a short and intense period will hopfully give us some idea for how vast Gods plan for our salvation is. Above all let God use all the extra time spent in the word to work in your heart.

This is a heafty and intimidating task .. so heres the plan. If you are gettin over stressed, school work is suffering, or relationships... take a break!. taking one or two days off can be just what you need. rather than struggling to keep up . just skip a day or two. then you can go back at the end of the forty days and "fill in the blanks" (read any books you skipped).

I hope that we can all continue to pray for eachother and can all grow stronger in our faith.

Monday, April 20 - Genesis ch 1-25
21- Genesis ch 26-50
22- Exodus ch 1-20
23- Exodus ch 21-40
24- Leviticus
25- Numbers ch 1-18
26- Numbers ch 19-36
27- Deuteronomy
28- Joshua
29- Judges-ruth
30- 1 Samuel
Friday, May 1 - 2 Samuel
2- 1 Kings
3- 2 Kings
4- 1 Chronicals
5- 2 Chronicals
6- Ezra - Nehemiah
7- Esther - Job
8- Psalm 1-50
9- Psalm 51-100
10- Psalm 101- 150
11- Proverbs- Ecclesiastes
12- Song of songs - Isiah ch 33
13- Isiah ch 34- 66
14- Jeramiah ch 1-30
15- Jeramiah ch 31- Lamentations
16- Ezekiel ch 1-24
17- Ezekiel ch 25-48
18- Daniel - Amos
19- Obadiah - Malachi
20- Matthew
21- Mark
22- Luke
23- John
24- Acts
25- Romans - 2 Corinthians
26- Galatians - Philemon
27- Hebrews - Jude
28- Rvelation
29- Fill in the gaps.

Hope you all hear God's voice. and I hope that this experience becomes a blessing and not a burden and a trip to the eye doctors. Remember. No ones making you do this. Listing to Gods call. Grace and Peace.
Zachary

grow up

2009-04-13T20:01:00.000-07:00

This weekend I decided it was time to pull the van out of the water. I told her that I couldn't take her to prom. She was pissed. Sooo pissed. But i know it was the right decision. I can't be with someone who is unequally yolked.

If there was a spectrum spanning east to west.

Crazy reliant on Gods provision, like John eating locust in the desert

-VS-

Working hard to provide for myself and being self sufficint (W/O God)

I am headed to the east.

she is headed east. but only plans to travel about 15 more miles that direction. that is because her motivation... her drive to continue is of worldly origin.

I don't know how far God will call me towards the East. But i know that unless my girl is willing to Go the whole way with me ... I can't justify tieing myself down... limiting Gods power.

I need to stretch my legs and run to the east... to the cross.

The world is behind me... no turning back... no turning back.

It's time i stopped blaming my failures on boyhood and began acting like a Man of Christ.

Pavlovs dogs

2009-04-08T16:23:00.000-07:00

I'm workin on a 20 minute lesson that I have to present tomorrow in my speech class. Im teaching the class about classical conditioning. Pavlovs dogs. so.. for a little fun . im gonna give everyone in the class a dixie cup filled with koolaidemix. everytime i ring the bell sparatically throughout my speech they will dip their finger in and then suck the mix off. im curious to see if it works. it would be awesome i f I got my class to drool on command.. and kinda gross.. but mostly awesome :P

Im kinda like one of pavlovs dogs. See. when I get lonly i run to the first girl I see and hold on tight. Spending as much time (and money :( ) as possible together. Learning all about her . and getting to know her ( the king and I just popped into my head ). but its so unhealthy.

If lonleyness is the bell
And the Girl of my dreams is a cup of Koolaide
Then why am I drooling over nothing?

Ill wait for the Koolaide. Im sick of tricking myself into thinking that i've found the love of my life whenever the bell rings.

Lonleyness makes me crave companionship. But I won't be mislead by the bell.

I hope that we can all find Peace and Community in Gods family. As Brothers and Sisters in Christ.

The peace and security in a family of Believers is a victory for God against the lonliness that satan uses to try and lead us astray. Praise God for my family.

Submerged

2009-04-07T20:19:00.000-07:00

today I saw a van that was stuck under water up to its windows. the area around my house floods alot and by the looks of it this guy hydro planed off the road and now the only part of his car visible is the top. when the rain dries up hell have to fetch it out. what a shame. its an aweful hassle . not nearly as easy as a crash where insurance would make a quick and easy fix. this way is just as expernisve. but much less practical.

I find my self in the same situation with my faith. Theres a Girl that I should not be persuing. Were not equally yoked. but shes nice. and theres no one else. i only see her once in a blue moon. I like her sure. but i know that its not meant to be. so .. idont know what to do. Im taking her to prom.. so I cant decide which is worse

Tell her that i think its a bad idea that we go together cause its just gonna get us more attatched to something that wont last. ( a car crash of emotions)

or to take her and then she realizes that she drove 3 hours to go to prom with me and my heart isnt fully in it. ( a van sittin in the water)

I don't know. ive got myself in a pickle . i care about her.. shes like family.. but .. i want wats best. and she clouds my judgement. though Im really to blame for that one. IDK.

Pray for me please. Mabey one day Ill get my head on straight. I wish you all peace.

Where have I been?

2009-04-05T14:01:00.001-07:00

The end of fear is where we begin...

Dang. its been over a month since i've blogged. Im not happy about that. I used to look forward to reading my friends comments and to reading all of your blogs.
In my month away, crazy things have happened. ive been at my worst.. and at my best. I've seen God work through me, and ive made foolish decisions that are basically like giving the finger to God.
Its been crazy. but it has brought me to my knees at the foot of the cross.. so its been wonderful.
ive got alot of stories to tell. but im gonna start blogging again by readin my friends blogs.

I miss the pitts(burgh)

2009-02-25T18:05:00.000-08:00

So i went to a retreat this weekend out near pittsburgh. A friend and I drove over 7 hours to go spend the weekend away from every day life and have an encounter with God. Man was God ever big this weekend. The thing I rememberr most was the prayer labrynth. I was in a dimly lit area. After going through several experiences I was left with a vision of an inprint. A very specific one. One that you could try to fill. but would never truly fill. the imprint of my being. one that only God can fill. I laid there crying for at least 15 minutes over welmed by the thought that God dreamed about me like a lover. Before he breathed me into life God dreamed about making me. About how I would smile. And how i would cry. About how i would dance like there was no tomorrow at the sound of his name and how I would struggle through the hard times and be faithful to a Him who created and loves me. He dreamed about making me.. Its amazing.. that God could love me. a sinner like me. sooooo much.. God is good .. Sooo good. Have a great day.. but take a minute. shut off the lights. the tv. the music. just kneel by your bed side. quiet your life for just a bit.. shutt off the cell phone .. some one else wants to talk.. spend some time talking to God.. Then open his word. read and listen.. Open your heart. Let God in to places that are usually conjested with the worlds crap ( skubalin) and He will fill those cracks.

Lay it Down

2009-02-06T22:16:00.000-08:00

Surender is So scary.

And So Beautiful.

Watch this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-qz2ZWcvg4

I love playing guitar

2009-01-31T10:36:00.001-08:00

Somthing about music just sooths the soul.

I love playing guitar. It's what lead me to Jesus.

I love playin for people because i get to use my gift.

It puts a smile on my face that no one can erase.

Last nite my frends Drew, Jenna, and I loaded my car FULL.

We had a drum set a PA system . guitars and guitar amps.

We drove to PCC church and played with some guys there.

Then we packed up the equipment and were playin 45 minutes away at 1:15 AM.

We got to lead worship for a middle school lock in.

And then we all spent the nite ( after a well deserved I-Hop stop at 3 AM )

Im not that good at guitar.

Drew has been playing drums for just about a month.

Jenna has a great voice.

And we had a blast.

Got to sing to the king.

Got to show middle school kids the infectous love of Christ.

In a smile that is contagous.

Do what you do. It dosen't matter if your the best or not that good. But know Why your doing it. Find a Joy that shines like the morning sun in your smile because you know that God has gifted you and you get to use that gift. We all have a place in the body of christ. We can all bear good fruit. no matter the size. I love guitar.. im gonna keep playing. and practicing.. and gettin better. so that I can sing a love song... to Jesus.

I Carly

2009-01-28T20:38:00.000-08:00

Ok so i hardly ever watch tv. But right after school i like to have a snack and I carly is usually on. ( my sister seems to automatically put nickolodeon on ... im a cartoon network kinda guy :P )

It wasn't the show that caught my attention but the theme song...

So wake up the members of my nation

Genesis 12:2
"I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.

it's your time to be

Isaiah 42:14 "For a long time I have kept silent, I have been quiet and held myself back. But now, like a woman in childbirth, I cry out, I gasp and pant.

theres no chance unless you take one

Luke 9:25
What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?

and its your time to see

John 15:15 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.

a brighter side of every situation

1 Peter 1:8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,

somethings are meant to be

Psalm 139:13
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.

so give your best and leave it all to me

Revelation 22:12 "Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.

So there you have it.. comming to you from one of the founders of the first church of McDonalds ... (trumpets sound .. ba ba da daaa!!!) the I Carly devo! but seriously im gonna take a week to look at one of these verses per day ( and read the scripture around it to fully grasp the context and meaning of what is being said) so i invite you to copy, paste, and print this off. take it one day at a time and read the chapter sorounding these verses. i'd be happy as a bug in a rug if i got feed back. even if its just to tell me how rediculous the idea of an I Carly bible study is .

My prayer is that we can all stay in the Word daily and let God speak to us through scripture. Weather a planed out reading, or a spirit lead moment of " i need to read my bible!". I hope that we can be in tune and let our lives be changed by the plan God has instore for us all.

Im excited

2009-01-19T18:23:00.000-08:00

Im excited. for the winter retreat. for friends from far away. for the friends im gettin closer to in the halls at school, for the way my study habits have improved. for oppertuinities that God has put in my life. and for whatever comes next.

Matthew 22:32 "I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob' ? He is not the God of the dead but of the living."

Im excited to live each day for a living God. one that offeres adventure and excitment. one that has a plan so much bigger and better that i could ever imagine. a God who answeres prayers from his faithful ones. and who has a promise of eternal life.

I pray that we can all get swept up in Gods plan. that we would let the adventure of following our savior over whelm us so that we have to risk things. and trust God. i hope that we can all find a way to trust in turbulance.

Sending Duplicates

2009-01-17T21:33:00.000-08:00

I caught myself today.

About to send the same text two two different girls.

It was one of those moments that really got to me.

See txt messaging is probably the lowest form of communication on the planet. in fact i think smoke signals are more heart warming. and the fact that i depersonalized ( i belive i may have just created that word) it even more made me feel terrible. It speaks volumes on my relationships.

When you hear a sappy love song that makes you want to txt that special someone thats cute. but when you hear the same song and txt your last 4 girlfriends in hopes that one will respond thats desparation.

It shifts from i want to talk to one specific girl to... I crave female attention. which is a dangerous place to be. thats where people get used. and feelings get hurt. trust gets broken and friends get lost.

Because of how detaced we become from our friends i could send the same txt to 5 people at once and they would all think it was intended "just for them".

In fact i know a guy in Illinois that is dating 2 girls at the same time.. but because their in different schools neither of them will find out anytime soon ... if ever.

the world has gotten to "big". I long for the small town feel. so my challenge for you is to look at the number of friends on your face book and honestly ask your self... do i know them.. if i had to write down 5 things that make them destinct and special to me... could I? or are they just a face book friend.. and IM friend.. or a TXT friend.

Now theres nothing wrong with knowing a lot of people. and i love being social. In fact it is biblical to be social 3 John 1:8 "We ought therefore to show hospitality to such men so that we may work together for the truth." (the men hes talking about are strangers who claim to be friends)

Embrace your community. keep clicking YES to friend requests. meet new people.. but make sure you have your "best" friends. make sure you dont get lost in an ocean of digital friends. because that can leave you to wake up one day and realize that even though your surrounded by a crowd ... you dont really know anyone... "I woke, cold and alone, Adrift in an open sea, Caught up in regrets, And tangled in nets, Instead of your arms wrapped around me."- Digital Sea by: Thrice

My prayer is that we can all get to know eachother better and that we can appreciate those around us in our lives for who they are and who God created them to be.

2009-01-13T18:48:00.000-08:00

Acts 18:10 For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city

So Paul finds himself in a new town. When he arrived he met lots of people and preached the Good News of Jesus Christ like he meant it! Now the Jews didnt quite appreciate that and it was just before He was taken to court that God spoke to him and assured him with the verse in Acts 18:10. That was reassuring to Paul and he made it through the courts and continued spreadin Jesus.

Now I can only imagine the kind of fear Paul must have fealt. But he had the strength to endure the trials because he knew that God was with him. Its interesting because it is easy to let the words on the page be just words. its easy to forget how real Pauls struggle was. it miss the intensity of the situation. and its also easy to miss another deeper meaning.

We should walk and proclaime the gospel with the same confidence that Paul did. None of us are perfect. were all flawed sinners. but as 2 Timothy 2:13 says "if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself." thats right. even though we fail God is there. In fact God is there while we fail... think about that.

Now something interesting about Acts 18:10. When God promised "I am with you" to comfort paul... it meant so much more. See the translators failed to catch the true essance of this statement which was not quite I am with you... but rather... I with you am...

God is faithful to us even when we arent to him because he cannot disown himself... see God is not just with us. With us ..He Is. We were made in the image and likeness of God. His spirit was breathed into us as in Genesis 2:7. God with us is...

See i don't believe in a God out there some where. No .. God is right here in you and in me.... God is not just with us.. with us He Is!. "We are more than just carbon and chemicals, We are the Image of the Invisible!"(-thrice)

My prayer is that we can all start living like God with us is!. To start living in the peace that our very life came from God who breathed it into us.. and that we are in his image.. and image of the invisible. and that we will let God work through us.

community

2009-01-12T19:13:00.000-08:00

1 John 1:7 "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin."

Praise God for fellowship. Im not sure where id be without my friends.

Moving from pennsylvania to Indiana was the first time that i really had to stand on my own. My faith was tested and all in all im now closer to God. Its incredible how when we fall our brothers and sisters pick us up. I often for get how grace filled our community of believers is. Now that dosent mean that their afraid to kick my butt some times. and thats just wat i need. The body of christ is amazing . and im so thankful for it.

My friend Kimberly just moved to Green Valley Arizona (near tuscan) from New Lenox Illinois (5 min from Jolliet) its been a huge change and she felt very displaced. she just enroled inthe community college and was feeling very lonley. she called me asking wat to do. i did a little research for her and found a church that seemed interesting. she went on sunday and then to youth group sundaynite and is already makin friends. She was getting depressed by then the body of christ picked her up and welcomed her in.

My prayer is that we can support eachother and find comfort in the fellowship .

Matthew 20:29-34

2009-01-10T10:37:00.000-08:00

Thank you all for your prayers and support. I am truly blessed to be surrounded by so many loving and caring friends who Do look on me with grace and help me through my faults. Like i had said before Grace is for progress.

I was reading Matthew 20:29-34 and it resonated with me and these last few hectic days. Though I am saved and I Have known the Lord for some time now I let myself slip. I found myself as a "blind man" outside the city gates. Now in Matthew it says there were two men which is ironic. Because one of my best buddies were in the same place. I found my self giving him advice that i needed to give myself. In the midst of getting so caught up in foolish things i lost sight of Gods bigger plan for us all.

Over the last four days or so ive really fleshed this out and ended up running back to God, not even realizing how much i had been drifting away. I was so broken that all i could do was shout out "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!"

It was a night of restlessness and I found myself in the midst of a huge spiritual battle. Though the "crowd" kept telling me to be quiet, i found my self crumbling at the feet of my savior.

The amazing part about it is that His response to my surrender to Him... (me realizing im not worthy but still turning to Jesus), was that he asked "what do you want me to do for you". I asked for the Grace to make it through this and to get back up on my feet now that i've fallen. I got what i needed. and "recived my sight". now all i can do is follow Him.

Im so grate ful that God's Grace has restored my sight so that i can see His bigger plan and live with intention to be intune and do my part in what i have been called to do for the Kingdom of God.

My prayer is that we can accept Gods grace and move foreward in a personal relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Also that we would allow Gods word to speak to us in our lives and that we would recive scripture into our hearts and let it guide us,in conjunction with the Holy Spirit, so that we may continue to stay "in tune" with God's plan which is bigger that we could ever concieve.

The Audience

2009-01-06T19:00:00.000-08:00

Say hello to the audience. Their watching you. Scrutenizing every little thing you do... don't slip up. They don't quite believe in grace. Cause when you say your one thing... but you prove to be another... how can they believe anything you say. Without integrity... How can the audience believe us.With out integrity how can we believe ourselves? How long can we fool ourselves before we fall. Not long.. Because a lie leads to more secrets. Soon nobody can trust you. and with out trust. They lose hope for you. So without trust there is no hope. So if you can't trust yourself... Hm.

Thats where i am tonite. I can't trust myself. I say im one thing.. Then i prove to be another. I need to change. My yes needs to be yes... and my No needs to be no. Because then... i can trust myself.. then ... i have hope. I don't doubt that i will fail. But i hope it never gets this bad again. Cause im starting to lose sight of who i really am.. And who i hoped to be. The audience is always watching.

Hebrews 13:2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.

An even greater audience is watching also... an audience of One. The One who knew me before i was born. The one who knows the desires of my heart. And the one who i have to have faith in so i can trust Him and Give my life to him so that i can Hope to be all that he has promised i can be... It seems so simple... Why have i made it so hard.

Pray for me. and my integrity.. im sick of this game. that i play with myself. I can't bear to be luke warm any longer... i know the concequence of that.

Grace

2009-01-04T20:58:00.000-08:00

Grace is enabling power sufficient for progression...
Without Gods Grace... im not worthy of anything.
If i got what i deserved... if i was punished for every wrong i did...
i don't want to think about it.
But Grace...
Grace allows us to move foreward.
Grace allows us to carry on even when we stumbly (Mark 14:38)
We can't abuse Grace. (Romans 6:1)
Where is your heart?
Are you willing to accept the gift of Grace.
To die to sin and to move on?
To live the way God meant.

There was an old lady who kept saying she was having encounters with Jesus in her dreams. She was catholic and the priest of her parish said this cannot be. He doubted the woman and accused her of being a false prophet. The lady begged and pleaded. "I am not a liar. i tell you the truth! Jesus talkes to me in my dreams." So the priest said to her the next time you Talk to Jesus ask Him what the last sin i confessed was and then ill believe you. A period of time went bye and when the priest returned he asked if she had spoken to Jesus. She replied enthusiastically yes yes. So wat did He say when you asked him the last sin i confessed the priest asked. The woman got quiet and a smile slowly spread across her face. Wrinkles bunched up in each corner of her lips she softly spoke these words.. "He said He didn't remember."

If we confess our sins to Jesus. And Make progression , peace will come our way.

2 Corinthians 1:2-Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Grace in the origional aramaic is Charis, and Peace is Arene.

Charis is a Grace that only God can give. A grace that totally forgets the wrongs youve done and confessed so that you can make progress and grow in the spirit of all mighty God.

Arene is a peace that only comes from being in Harmony with God's plan. Its a musical term that means harmony.

You know that feeling when things just fit... when you feel like you were the missing puzzle peace and you ended up right where you needed to be right at the perfect moment. The feeling that you met someone you were supposed to. Or didsomething you were supposed to.

In the movie I am Legend one of the main characters makes the point that God sent her to save the Will Smith. and that if we stoped and listened we would hear Gods plan.

The melody is there. find your harmony... listen for it.. youll find it in Grace. the two go hand in hand. Grace and Peace.

If you haven't seen I am Legend i recomend it. Mabey a lil scary for the kids. But the part i would focus on is the butterfly... Look daddy... a its a butterfly.

My prayer is that we can Accept Gods Gift of Grace. Make progression in his plan. See all the butterflies. and Live in Harmony.
Charis and Arene.

New Years

2009-01-04T18:53:00.000-08:00

So I'm alive. Ive been gone and haven't blogged in forever. but i have kept alot of you in my thoughts and prayers. The Christmas "BREAK" started with an ice storm that took out our power for a few days. it came back in time for christmas eve. by christmas day i was in chicago land area. Specifically in tinley park and Jolliet (the city where the blues brothers are from). The next day it took 6hrs for my familt to make the 3hr trip from Tinley park to Churubusco (where i live). the roads were trecherous and the toll way was closed for 100 miles.

When we arived i showered packed and within an hour i left for Pittsburg. The 6hr drive went as well as it can when your alone and i arived around 9 pm . i stayed there for 4 days. on the second day i was so sick i slept 11 hrs with a 101 degree fever. i recovered , praise God, Played with my band alot and we wrote two new songs. We also decided to go on tour this summer. which will be good. But one tour at a time.

I left on monday and arived in indiana at midnite. by 6am on tuesday i was in a van on the way to mayanett in the upper peninsula of michigan. 11hrs later we arived. helped a band and socialized with the audience. we slept in the house of a man named wilson that nite. he was a hiwian who handmakes exotic skateboards. cool stuff.

The nine of us in our van then followed the 4 bands to manomony michigan the next day. It was now newyears eve (wednesday) i played the opening set just 30 min of me and my acoustic guitar and my harmonica. then the other bands played and we brought in the new year.

that nite we slept at Jims. he was a nice man and we all got showers. my friend blayne captured and released a bat that had gotten into the house with nothing but a newspaper. it was fantastic.

We left and then arrived the next day (thursday) in iron river michigan. this was the last show and it was great fun. we spent two days there running the coffe shop. cleaning. helping bands unload equipment. i got to do another acoustic set there but u just played my harmonica. none of us showered those two days. so the 10 hr drive home smelled osm.

We drove through chicago and had portillos. Best hotdogs ever! i arrived home at 7o'clock. now here i am today. i can't wait to go back to school... i need a break :P.

But honestly, God showed me alot about life on this crazy trip. That unless your willing to be tired to be hungry and dirty unless your willing to live rough. youll miss out on a lot that God has to show you. There are times to rest. and also times to explore. Don't waste your youth on the couch. Go . Live. Shine your lite where ever you go. It will make you appreciate home and all God has blessed you with. Amen!

FIREBREATHER

2008-12-17T14:32:00.000-08:00

The band thrice basically rocks my life, and Dustin Kensrue constantly amazes me with his creativity and depth. Definatly a band i would check into if you haven't already been blessed by their music. Check it. Lyrics to FIREBREATHER. by thrice.

Tell me, are you free in word or thought or deed,

While the gallows stand and bullets lance the bravest lungs?

We fold our hands and hold our tongues.

Tell me are you free, when the fear falls in you?

Will I fold my hands or hold my tongue?

Or let the flames lick at my feet,

And breathe in fire and know I'm free.

Flames will rise and devour me.

Oh, to breathe in fire and know I'm free Know I'm free.

Don't Tell Me You Love Me

2008-12-16T15:40:00.000-08:00

I Love You. What is that? ... To love someone. I love my parents. I appreciate all they've done for me and my sister. I love my sister , i don't want any boy to break her heart. I love my friends. I love my brothers. But it dosen't take a rocket scientist to realize that those are all different kinds of love.

Many people say that the word Love is used to much or just thrown around these days. I'm not sold on that idea. We have an amazing capacity to love one another. I don't think love is used to much. but i do think its used improperly.

What if i told you that Love is a verb. chew on that. how often do we forget that. we treat love like a thing. and unfortunatly love gets generalized. When Love is used as a noun it loses a lot of depth (love is meant to be deep). Now love as a verb on the other hand. that is a whole different story.

If love is a verb... an action word... then we have to show love. Instead of saying i love you to mom, dad, sister, brother, friends, etc. and having little distinction between the kinds of love those are we should show love.

If we show love then you get to experience love at its fullest. Its no longer a thing.. its an experience. you start to feel that all love is not the same. it is verry different. You start to see love in all its depth. like the ocean. When you learn the little things that people around you appreciate you get a world of oppertunities to show them you love them. I know that a simple txt message saying happy birthday from an old friend has made me feel cared for. little things like that show eachother love.

Saying i love you is not a bad thing. But it requires action. Its simply not enough just to say it. God loves us. Jesus loves us. It can become so cliche... so empty when all it is is a bunch of words. But when action backs those words its a whole different story.

John 3:16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

Now thats love. God dosen't just say i love you. He showed us his love. He lowered him self to our level.. and then died for us. A terrible death. a death on a cross. God told his children I Love You. then he proved it. God knows that love is a verb. Thats the kind of love that changed the world.

My prayer is that we can love eachother the way God intended us to love eachother. With self sacrifice and action. I hope that we can stop with the empty I Love Yous. and start loving the people in our lives in a way that dosen't require words. Love in a way that you can't easily describe it to others, because its so personal and close to your heart that you would have to know you to understand. Our God loves us with action. Let us love one another in the same fashion.

The First Church of McDonalds

2008-12-15T18:55:00.000-08:00

First off ill say it was a good weekend. Time spent alone wandering the city streets. Reading through hebrews in a coffee house down town. spending hours on the phone with old friends. Having a conversation i should have avoided at all costs. Sleeping in late. Getting back on track with God. Hanging wit my fun friend all day saturday. Experiencing the dark knight (great movie). And going to an anti semi formal party. Goin to church sunday and then going carroling sunday night. Good times. In fact i felt like i could make a difference in the nursing home. So i went back today. I sat and played a few songs and just listened to stories. It kills me that no one listens to all the wisdom in that building. So i went and listened. It was amazing how you could see that for the first time in a long time some of those folks fealt like they mattered. Like someone was actually listening. The church should be the ones listening. Loving people who feel unloved or uncared for. This brings me to Ronnie.

A group of Students from Charter Oak Church went on a short term missions trip to improve some houses in Blue Field West Virginia. The first night we all walked down the street from the salvation army where we were staying to the McDonalds down the street. We must have been quite a specticle all parading in our matching shirts. It was in line that a fairly young man asked me where we were all from. I introduced my self as Zach and he said his name was Ronnie. Then my brother Alex introduced himself and the two of us began to chat with this stranger. We soon found out that he just arrived from Florida to take care of his sick father. It turns out that Ronnie had had some hard times in Florida and had gotten out of a bad situation by attending church. He found Jesus and his life changed. Now about 6 months after becoming a christian he got a chance for a truly fresh start. A baptism of sorts. A new beginning back with his dad in West Virginia.

He had arived just days before and it was a rude awakening. Things with his father were patchy and he fealt alone. Especially after being sorrounded by a community that loved him so much as their brother in Christ. Now he had to stand on his own and his faith was tested. We arrived on a sunday and he told us that he had gone looking for a church that morning to fill the void left by losing his church. But the church he tried turned out to be snake handlers! One look at that venemous reptile and he high tailed it out of there.

So here he was. Alone in a new city with no friends. No one to help him through things. We all layed hands (all thirty or so of us) and prayed for our brother. On a whim i had brought my guitar with me ( great things happen when were in tune with the spirit :) ) I played some tunes and mark (our pastor) played some tunes and we all sang. We prayed that Ronnie would feel at home in this new place. It was amazing and so there we were. 30 kids. a pastor and a man desperatly in need of love. Praying and Praising the Lord out side a McDonalds on a beautiful summer nite. The last thing Ronnie told us before we left him was that he went looking for a church sunday morning but God lead him to one sunday nite. :)

Ronnie spent the rest of the week laughing and playing eating praising and dancing with us and the other teams there for ASP (apalacian service project... the mission trip we were on). We all grew to love our brother Ronnie dearly and he still keeps in touch and we keep him in our prayers.

(Ronnie is crouching in the front with just a few of his new friends from McDonalds)

My prayer is that we can all be open minded. And have open hearts. We are the body. So let our arms give a warm embrace. And let our feet carry those around us when theyre down and out. As Mathew 25:40 reminds us "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." Lets go show some affection . some compassion . just talk to someone. hear their story. its a hard life when you think your all alone and no one is listening. Make someones day. Hear their story. Show them they matter. Let them know that God cares, and as a follower you do to.

Shaped By The World

2008-12-11T20:21:00.000-08:00

So as i was driving to church last night i noticed something i've noticed before. There were dozens of trees along the side of the small country road i was driving on. Trees that were old and strong. Trees that may have been there before the road was built. Trees that God created. Trees that were meant to be there. They grew and fluxuated with the seasons, just as God intended. Their leaves went through the changes and each year a new ring was added. That is when i noticed something not so natural about these trees.

Their branches had grown long and in all directions. They were un kept and grew freely far and in any direction. their growth was not inhibited by anyone except God himself. all except for the branches above the road. these were growing in a very unnatural pattern. They formed an upside down L shape. They seemed to grow above the road but only after a certain hight and only to the edge of the road. Then i realized the culperate.

The big rigs! You know the semitrucks that get your goods to the stores and your produce to the market. I realized that from years of those trucks passing through here carrying who knows what to who knows where the trees had to form around their path. The ways of this world inhibited their growth. This is much like many of our spiritual journys.

We often become so enveloped in this world that we don't recognize God all around us. We focus on what the world wants us to do instead of making God a number one priority. So our faith becomes tainted. The world inhibits its growth. Because the world demands things that force us into habits. We become preacupied with the road life put us on to see how were affecting the tree. The tree that God created to grow freely. Are we letting the things that the world requires get in the way of Gods plan?

Matthew 18:7
"Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to sin! Such things must come, but woe to the man through whom they come!

Don't let them come from you. I believe that God would much rather have you go Between the trees. Sure it takes longer. But then you'd be focusing on God. Realizing that you are going the longer route because its Gods way. His is a way that seems strange to the world. It's so hard to follow that many of us decide to just settle for the status quo. We were warned that it is a "straight and narrow road" we are to follow.

What if we reimagined what we were doing. Reshaped our lives to be condusive to the spirit and to live as God would have us live. What would that look like? What if i told you that there are more important things than money. than having a spouce. than being efficient. What if i said that there was a time when you didn't need a college degree just to survive?

How often do we let the world shape us instead of living how our God created us? To live uninhibited. to grow freely in the spirit. So mabey its time to relocate the road. make a new road. or even get rid of the road all together. so that we can let the tree grow.

My prayer is that we can all see the habits of this world that close our hearts to God so that we can change. not just our habits but our hearts. So that we can grow fully to be just as beautiful and full as our God created us to be. Nothing less.

Finger Prints

2008-12-10T13:17:00.000-08:00

It's funny. how we often don't feel normal. We for some reason feel like were not generally accepted, or that we don't fit the mold. With everyone making plans for college and planning out their dream lives it can become hard to be grounded in the truth. so let me ask you this... what is normal?... I know... It's a setting on your washer and dryer.

This idea of being normal is restricting our imagination. To be all we were made to be. I hate when i know that i should be the black sheep but just decide to be "normal". Like when it comes to dating. What girl wants to date a guy who dosen't want to kiss til theyre engaged? Thats not normal! Or who wants to sit with the "special needs" kids at lunch? Theyre not normal either. I've been afraid to talk to the "goth" kids before because they're not "normal", and i've also been afraid to approach the "popular" kids because i'm not "normal" enough for them. So what does that tell you about normal? That it is different for different people? Exactly.

Now were starting to see the truth. Look at your finger print. They say that no one else in the world has the same finger print as you. Isn't that interesting (strokes chin)? That you are truly a one of a kind. No one else is quite like you. So how can we be "normal" if were all created different? Were all one of a kind. And you know what hits me the hardest about that?... No one can leave the same mark on the world as you.

That finger print of yours is one of a kind. You were made special. To excell in your own path. Not to conform to others. Not to be "normal". If you open your heart to God and let him work through you on that path you will leave a mark on this world that no one else could have. Just as no other man can leave your finger print behind. We are all made to be individuals. Unlike anyother. Not to live up to any other standard.

Jeremiah 1:5
5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart;..."

My prayer is that we can all be the "black sheep" if we have to, so we can be the unique creation God made and loves. That we can all realize that we are a one of a kind, and see how precous our life is. God gave it to you. Give it back to him. Love and serve the Lord, in a way only you can.

Passion stuck in stone

2008-12-09T15:00:00.000-08:00

Totally sold out for Jesus... thats an easy way to describel St. Francis of Assisi. He was a man who suffered greatly for God. He devoted his life to picking up his cross and following Jesus. Its a wonderful story. . . But what does that look like? Now a days it seems to be that you can most easily find St. Francis in the form of a bird bath. Is that how we are to remember our late brother?
A man who was born into a rich family and joined the army. He traveled into battle and was captured. Held prisoner for a year and then went home. With a fever. After being a POW and fearing for his life because of a fever he was finally home. But he was different... broken. He began to realize how fragile our life is.

Psalm 39:11

You rebuke and discipline men for their sin; you consume their wealth like a moth- each man is but a breath. Selah 12 "Hear my prayer, O LORD, listen to my cry for help; be not deaf to my weeping. For I dwell with you as an alien, a stranger, as all my fathers were. 13 Look away from me, that I may rejoice again before I depart and am no more."

He began to intently seek God. In fact he became so connected and intune with God that he saw his calling in dreams. St. Francis began to "rebuild the church" as God called him to do. He physically went and renovated and abandoned church. This brought people in and they began to care for the poor sick and needy.

This infureated his father. No son of his would wast away his inheritance in such a way. So he dragged his son back home and locked him in a closet. Set free by his mother he went back to doing work for God. His father found him and publicly accused him of stealing from him. So Francis took all that he had. even the cloths off his back. and gave them to his father stating that his true father is in Heaven. (God).

For the rest of his life St. Francis lived with the poor in huts and preached the Gosple. He traveled very far and often found himself hungry, hurt, shipwrecked, with no one but Jesus to rely on.

He Not only spread the good news. He lived it. Now thats passion. Infact. He desired to be like christ so badly that stigmata ( the marks of the crucified) miraculously appeared on his body. Now thats being totally sold out for Jesus! To live a life of humble servitude for Christ.

My prayer is that we can all find the passion to fuel our gifts. That we can have the courage to be the "black sheep" and do whatever it takes to fill our peice of the puzzle. But above all. I pray that whatever hardships are placed before us, we may proceed with the peace of mind and strength that Christ is on our side. That He died a horrible death for your sins. And that without Him, all we are to everyone else on earht is just a dash on a grave stone or a bird bath. But through Him we have eternal life in heaven.

What ever it takes. Whatever it looks like. Let it be all for Him.

For a more complete story on St. Francis of Assisi
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06221a.htm

lazer X

2008-12-08T19:34:00.000-08:00

So tonite is monday night. the night my small group usually meets. but tonite instead of meeting in our brother Kyle's basement we met with about 60 others at lazer X.

Lazer X is the local lazer tag spot and when my group heard that they were doing a worship nite we had to see what it was all about. So we arrived and entered into the "arena". it looked the same (except more crowded and no one was trying to shoot me). excepth that on the highest level in the center tower was a worship band. they welcomed everyone in and started the nite off with some jump up and down high energy music.

Bathing in the glow of blacklights and strobes it fealt more like a rave than a worship meeting but it soon took a turn. A man in a camoflage jacket wearing a beanie with a huge beard came up to speak. turns out he is a UFC fighter. the security that nite were his friends from the mixed martial arts gym where he trains. so this man who looked more like osama bin laden than a preacher delevered a beautiful talk about seeking God and using your gifts.

We dispersed to listen to some quieter songs and speak to God and then came back to gether to finish the nite off with a kick. It was very different and very exciting. and it made me want to use my gift of music more than i could explaine.

I miss my old worship band at Charter Oak Church dearly. When i moved to the Pittsburg area they welcomed me in and gave me a home at which to use the gifts that God has given me. Its time that i start looking for a new place where i can give back what was given to me.

The Parable of the Talents

Mathew 25: 14"Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. 15To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. 17So also, the one with the two talents gained two more. 18But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money.
19"After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.'
21"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'
22"The man with the two talents also came. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.'
23"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'
24"Then the man who had received the one talent came. 'Master,' he said, 'I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.'
26"His master replied, 'You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.

It's time i started using my talents instead of keeping them in a hole... wouldn't you say? even though im not that good. God gave me the gift... now i have to give it back to Him. My prayer is that we can all examine our hearts and start to see where God can use our gifts. Or that we will start to see the gifts God has given us. So that we can fill our place in the body of Christ. A body full of hands on lovers.

It's like a four course meal

2008-12-07T16:56:00.000-08:00

So it has been quite an eventfull weekend that has took me to the highest hights and the lowest lows. From skipping on clouds (in the most masculin way possible *picture rambo skipping on clouds.. then your on the right track*) to trying to find all the peices of my shattered heart in the gutter. (that one was my fault) but the weekend over all left me with one resounding message.

Dating a girl should be like a four course meal...
Ok so mabey that's a bit odd sounding but check this.

Course 1 : Sallad. your just excided to be at the resturand and dont really know what you should order. The sallad is just an easy way into the meal. Light and you might not finish it. In dating this would be the very beginning. Like when you first meet Her at school. You find a way to be in her group for a project. you exchange cell numbers and start to text her and you have friended her on face book.

Course 2 : Soup. Now thats a bit heavier. This one had more to do whith decision. you didnt just pick some superficial dressing. nope this part actually has some sustanance. Its enough to fill you up so take your time dont scarf it down. Much like the next step in dating. So you've been texting and your flirting in class a bit. your friends start to egg you on. so you decide to hang out ... out side of school. You start to hear her thoughts besides the txted LOLs. your getting to see her intrests and if you have anything in common. is she easy to get along with? is her laugh similar to nails on a chalk board? are you enjoying getting to know her? last chance before the meal. do you wanna mabey change your order? Cause the main course is the most important and it is a commitment.

Course 3 (the main course) : this is where you will spend a lot of time. this is why you came. to really enjoy the meal. Its the biggest of the 4 courses and the most satisfying it will leave you feeling full. Just like the next step of dating. Getting to know her. I mean really know her. There should be some real sustinance here. long deep conversations are the meat of it all and the sauce ( the best part ) is all the laughs. all the times she smiles at you and you feel like everything is just wonderful. You will find that you are left feeling complete. much fuller than before. so then comes desert.

Course 4 : the sweet stuff. lots of fluff. this is the part that leaves you walking away with a happy ending. After the other three courses it dosen't take much for you to satisfy your sweet tooth. You may not take a whole lot of it but its verry good. this is much like kissing. After you know the person inside out . and your sure that you should be with them. When you have grown together and have made the memories. then the kiss. but beware. so many people try to skip straight to desert. this was my greatest struggle. sure it tastes sweet. but it gets bittersweet fast!. if you skip right to the desert then you lose your appetite. you end up leaving and then soon feeling unsatisfied. you will feel like you wasted time and money on that meal ( the one that you neglected to enjoy for the "ight reasons").

Desert will come . some day. but for now im just gonna nibble on my salad . make some new friends and see if im ready for the soup a little later down the road. I'm sick and tired of jumping in head first for desert and feeling empty after two weeks of drama.

My prayer is that we will all start to take dating more seriously. That we will take it easy and make romantic decisions with intention to furfill Gods plan for us in marrage.

Genisis2:23The man said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman, ' for she was taken out of man."

Really embrace the meal. you will find out if shes the one for you and if she is or not you will walk away feeling satisfied and full.

Miss Franny

2008-12-04T14:24:00.000-08:00

So I've ranted about how I feel i need to do something because faith in the seated position just wasn't workin for me. Then today i rememberd about miss franny. My good buddy mark told me about her http://likethemorningmist.blogspot.com/

So Miss Franny went to church on a sunday and heard mark (An enthusiastic yound pastor who has a fire in his belly for Jesus that belongs in the south) preach about getting involved. He preached about how we are called to be active lovers as part of our walk with Jesus.

Now Miss Franny was verry old and when she got home she was racking her brain trying to find something she could do. Thats when she heard a ruckus from out side. She noticed a group of boys skate boarding at the bus stop after school and she knew. But how? How was an elderly lady supposed to show compassion to a group of teenaged skater punks? Thats when she heard one of them say "im hungry".

The next day after school the boys steped of the bus and were greeted by Miss Franny. With trembling hands (but confidence in Gods plan) she said "hello boys... i noticed yesterday that you were skating down here and thought you might be hungry. feel free to stay and skate as long as youd like." she handed them a plate of fresh cookies, still warm from the oven infact. And so it began...

Day after day she would meet the boys with fresh baked cookies and pretty soon it wasnt so akward. the boys felt comfortable in her driveway and came home everyday with an expectation for fresh cookies and a place to hang with friends. But one day Miss Franny wasn't there. The boys were worried about her so they went up the the house and rang the door bell. Miss Franny opened the door and apologized. Said she was sick and couldn't make them cookies today but they were welcome to come in and chat.

It became standard that the boys would now come in and have cookies and chat with miss franny (especially with snow and all) . So they became verry close. Those boys had the utmost respect for miss franny and even loved her. So when she heard that mark was comming to her parish again to preach she asked the boys... "You boys wanna see a preacher with a pink mohawk?"

The boys all went to church with Miss Franny that sunday. At this point mark had lost the pink mo mo but he talked to the boys and miss franny. She told him how his sermon had affected her and showed him proof of what came out of it. So he challenged the boys. "You boys love miss franny right? ... yes, of course...You don't want her to have to come to church all alone do you?"

There it was. the boys started to come to church with Miss Franny. and they found a home . a place where they belonged. It wasn't long before those skater punk kids started to see a little bit of Miss Franny's Jesus in side themselves.

Mark returned a year later (its becoming an annual thing :P) to hear the good news. All of those boys had been saved. Those little skater boys gave their life to Jesus. All because Miss Franny cared enough to show them love.

I love that. Isn't it amazing how God works. My prayer is that we can all have our imaginations opened up for Jesus. God will work through you ... if you let him.

The wallet of Christ

2008-12-03T18:56:00.000-08:00

So its the holliday season and every where i go i can't seem to escape the sound of bells ringing. The salvation army is in full force and it is a good thing. Their website gives an idea of their impact-
3,000,000 meals served every year at community and residential centres
79,000 prisoners visited each year in 134 prisons
3,000 homeless people given food and shelter every night in 59 centres
776 local church and community centres
636 elderly people accommodated every night in 17 residential centres
300 youth clubs providing a caring environment for young people
120 drop-in centres offering support and help for people in need
70 day centres for elderly and disabled people
50 nurseries and playgroups
20 Red Shield support centres for military personnel in the UK, Germany and the Falkland Islands
12 people reunited every working day with their families through the Family Tracing Service
6 residential centres for victims of alcohol and drug abuse
6 centres for families and one community home for children
2 centres for people with special needs
2 employment training centres
1 centre for women escaping from domestic violence

As i dropped my 79 cents into the red bucked and recived a smile from the man with the bell I got to thinking. look how much the salvation army is doing. what am i doing?

Mathew 25:35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

Who is the you? How many hungry have i fed? How many thirsty have i brought water? How many people have spent the nite on the cold street alone because i wasn't even looking to cloth them. Or the sick ( theyre usually not far from bed) how many of them have i visited. Im not old enough to visit a prison but theres a nursing home right down the street. I would hate being traped there and would hope that some one would come in and want to be my friend and learn from all ive gone through. Yet day after day i find my self getting home from school and thinking what can i do today so im not bored.

When it comes to actually getting my hands dirty i hate to admit it but i've become apathetic. It is so much easier for me to take out my wallet and give a few bucks so some one else can go help. Tithing is important and our missionaries abroad need our financial support. But thats not all that God calls us to give. We are to give of our selfes and be the hands and feet of Christ!

At the judgement i suspect that God will be more interested in what we did than how much we gave. So im going to start looking for ways to get my hands dirty and i hope you will join me. Im not sure what that will look like or come to be, but i do know that God calls us to be hands-on lovers in the world today.

Mathew25:40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

My Prayer is that we can be hands-on lovers to the world. Humble yet confident. "We can do not great things, only small things with great love" - mama t.

Go do small things Today.

I just wanted a kiss

2008-12-02T19:29:00.000-08:00

Thats all i wanted. I wanted to feel the butterflies in my stomache. I wanted to get tingles up and down my spine. I wanted to feel like we had a connection to eachother. In that moment I hoped that locking lips would keep us heald togeher... some how bring us closer mabey...

She told me no. "This whole no kissin thing was your idea" she retorted my attempt for a kiss.
She was right. We had made a radical dicision the first week of our relationship. The origion of the word radical has to do with getting to the root of the problem. I saw that kissing for me was like a kid with a learners permit sittin in the driveway reving the engine and then slamming on the brakes before going into the street. How dangerous and wasteful. So we made a decision to not kiss. for a long time.

So now that we didn't kiss i came to a realization. we were just sitting there in akward silence. So we had to find something to talk about. You know wat... i learned a lot in that conversation. Like that she has never moved, and that she can't drive stick, and that she loves to tap dance. Things i never would have guessed. It really got my wheels turning. How many conversations have i missed by wasting time reving up the engine to slam on the brakes. I don't wanna miss another conversation. So im gonna save kissing for later and enjoy the talkin now. The tingles and the butter flies fade away when the kissing stop. But getting to know some one for who they truly are lasts. All the talking has heald us together in a relationship that is as dense as concrete. Not superficial and fleeting like the kiss that i desired. I still desire a kiss... but i desire her more. For who she is. Im glad we decided to be a little radical. Try it. You might just like it.

Romans 13:14
Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

Walking With God

2008-12-01T19:59:00.000-08:00

It's interesting how the bible relates our relationship with christ as a walk. (note: i used a King Jimmy version for this. the NIV translators changed the word walk to live )

Ephesians 4 calls us to walk with confidence that we are worthy of the vocation in which we are called. Ephesians 5 tells us that we walk in the love of Christ. Ephesians 6:15 tells us to ready our feet with the gospel of peace. So basically Ephesians is littered with refrences to walking.

I'm sure there are many others that i have missed but these three are important. So often we (or at least I) doubt our ability to really live out the gospel message. We decide to take the easy path instead of taking the risk. We decide to be the quiet bystander instead of the black sheep in the name of Jesus. Have confidence that God will work through you. Live your life in search of your vocations. The things God needs you to do for him will reveal themselves when we live lives worthy of those dutys.

We all mess up sometimes. I find myself walking with my head drooped in shame most days. I know that I let sin into my life when i should be devoted to Christ and i hate it. I don't know why I have such a lack of self controll and that makes it easy to feel unworthy and unloveable at times. Remember we walk in the love of Christ. His love is Agape. And unconditional love that is filled with a Grace that we all need. Jesus loves me this i know because the bible tells me so.

Part of the armor of God that i think is often over looked is the shoes. We are to ready our feet with the gospel of peace. We are called to action, to go with intention! Our feet ready to spread the gospel like wild fire. If we walk with confidence basking in the love of Jesus our savior with intention to live out God's will we will find peace. A journey does can become tiring at times but remember your destination. I pray that we can leave our baggage behind and follow Jesus. Do you have your shoes on?

Changing your name

2008-11-30T19:40:00.000-08:00

Now when I say changing your name the first place my mind goes is the prayer of Jabez. Today however it took a different direction. Genesis 17:5.

I was in the chicago land area over thanks giving break to visit friends and family. While i was out near Joliet (the city where the blues brothers were from) i met up with an old friend from seventh grade (an OLD friend). We got to talking about God and that nite she told me she was moving to Arizona. In the midst of that conversation we talked about finding a church and seeking God. She told me that she was sick of her nick name and that she was going to go exclusivly by her full first name when she arrives at her new house.

My friend has never intently seeked God before. Isn't it funny how often we find ourselves seeking our own desires instead of trying to fulfill Gods will. I am as guilty (mabey more so) as anyone else. But when we have a change of heart its huge. When we make a decision, not in a moment but in a change of heart, to do Gods will it seems to call for a baptism of sorts. Something as big as moving to a new state or starting a new job or a new school are all large decisions. When a change that big happens doors open. When we take those life changing things and make them about God we enter into a new closeness with our heavenly father.

Genesis 17
God tells abram "I an God the almighty. walk in my presence and be blameless" when abram drops prostrate in surrender to our almighty God God does an interesting thing. He changes Abram's name to ABRAHAM. it seems subtle but its a world of difference. God makes abram new. He hives Abram a fresh start. To live in a new covenant. to start a new walk under a new name.

its like when you shift from your old email that was childish to an email that will represent you to society as some one of importance. only clearly on a much bigger scale.

If God provides you an oppertunity for a new beginning. Pray about it. Change your name. Walk in the presence of the Lord and be blameless. Know that you are a new creation in him . and the way the world preceives you has hope for change. You can be represented as someone new with a new name who is at peace walking blameless.

I pray that we can all Humble ourselves befor e God and that he will make us new creations through Him. Let us die to this world of sin and leave our names and baggage behind so we can be alive in the beautiful song that is Gods plan for us. find your harmony and experience the peace of Christ.