Fasting

I'm trying to fast from social media as a challenge from Joe Grom V. Harder than I thought it would be

Letter to my Dad.

A few things I get out of this. The phrase "harassed and helpless" stands out because of Hosea 6:6. When we were lost in our sin, and those are lost in their sin are harassed and helpless and ignorant of their lostness, even if they cognitively acknowledge it. Yet we separate and try to make ourselves holy by leaving the healing of the sick, the caring of widows and orphans, and bring the good news to others and leaving all of that to those who are "called" to that ministry. We have set ourselves into hyprocritical, dead head minsets. God has hardend our hearts we because we hardened ours to those whom God has compassion for. He calls them "harassed and helpless." Why do we exile those who are harassed and helpless? Even Jesus says in Luke 23:34 “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Why are we so obsessed with expressing a dichotomy of servant hood and sanctification when we are called for slavery to Christ because of and through our sanctification? I myself am the prime example of this, and not only do we expres this dichotomy to those who need our love most, but to those who we are brothers and sisters too! God in his trinitarian nature receives glory and pleasure in father, son and holy spirit because they unashamedly can share their glory with each other and without fear of repercussion and with full honesty because the love God has for Himself (being true to His nature of holiness). And through Sanctification God has bestowed this gift of intimacy to our brothers and sister, the gift of intimacy to our fallen race! And yet we mock and spite God to His face for this grace that God has gifted us so lovingly. So what do we do dad? We look at Matthew 9:9-13. Christ appoints whom He wills. When we are called, we are qualified for ministry. Yet how are we qualified? because of Christ's sanctifying works within us. We must come to realize that ministry is more than what we can label! We minister to our brothers through grace and love! We minister our God's name with fear and trembling! We minister to the lost with grace and mercy. And it's all back to Matthey 9:36-37 Dad. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. and you may wonder, why do I leave out 38? "Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
Because we love to look at that as an excuse. We push away any thought that truth is, because Christ has called us from death to life, we are the workers Christ must send out. And we must daily as brothers especially in our congregation, to send each others out

MAJOR Update

Well I can thank Mariah for getting me back into blogging. Seeing hers made me miss mine. Though I'm not even sure if anyone even reads this blog. But that's ok, it's an update for update's sake.

Well what all has happened since I updated around two years ago.

I graduated from Mountain View High School.

Saw my fencing club fall apart, my coach go to Ohio State while I went to Cedarville.

Made new friends at MV that I don't even talk to anymore.

Made new friends that I see every day at Cedarville.

Made some enemies while making those friends.

Lost some friends.

Gained some new ones.

Hoping it be more than it is.

10:01 P.M.

Psalms 23. 1-4

The Good Shepherd

This is probably the most popular chapter in the entire Bible. And if not the most popular, it’s more than likely the most widely known. But there is allot to be said about this little section of the bible, and I am learning why it’s so powerful.

Well will start at the beginning. Psalms 23:1: The LORD is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack.

Alright we know that David, who wrote this, was a shepherd, but he also understood the role that plays, not only as ruler over all, but caretaker of his dominion. He is like a shepherd, who takes care, provides and protects his loyal sheep. So under the LORD, there is no reason to want, because everything we could possibly need is available. We won’t be wanting.

Psalms 23:2: He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.

He leads you in safe places to rest. He is the wise provider and in HIM we can find the peace of green grass and quiet streams.

Psalms 23:3: He renews my life; He leads me along the right path for His name sake.

This is a powerful verse hidden in plain sight. He is renewing and He gives us life. The part I like is the second part of this verse. It says that when you follow God, it’s the right path. No matter how hard, oppressive, stressful or difficult the situation, it’s all for God’s glory. By being faithful, it’s a testament to his glory and it will reflect him through us. His right path brings good for His name’s sake.

Psalms 23:4: Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear [no] danger, for You are with me Your rod and Your staff- they comfort me.

This verse ties into the last verse quite nicely. This last verse, it tells us about how God leads us on the righteous path and during that time on this path, we will be hit with oppressions and temptations, but even through that, we know our good shepherd is there. With Him there is no need to fear any danger. He is with us, leading us on. Now I need to bring something to attention. David brings up two instruments used by shepherds. The rod and the staff. They both have similar uses. The staff has a hook which is used to bring the sheep into the right direction and the rod is for rebuke. David here is saying that even God’s rebuke for leaving him and the changes in direction comfort him. God is so great that he cares for us to redirect us, he’s so great to bring us back after drifting away from him, and even in what we think is right.

Voddie's lesson

I am listening to a sermon by Mr.Bauchum about the Flood and he talked about the blessing of Righteousness. But this is what I came up with.
"but the reward of righteousness could very well be put that you are spared from God's wrath. i mean, that works for me, cause that's being in his grace"

Ramblings

I realized finally that I actually like writing. But like myself, my writings are confusing, conflicting, and inconclusive. So what does this show? Who we are becomes evident through our work. Now I have a question for all of you. If your actions show who you are, who do you want to be?

Some words from me

Day 1
I am sitting here in my Grandparent's house down here in Florida and I noticed that my Dad had visited my blog. But I haven't written anything in such a long time, I thought, why not start now? But I am thinking now of what to write. So here I go, bear with me here.

Being stuck with the term teenager is such an impediment that I feel it is an insult. It is basically the biggest cop out for anyone our age. Oh he's a teenager, it's what they do, oh he's a teenager he's gonna be a little crazy. But I say no! That's a load of crap. But our society has set thee years out so hypocritically. On one hand, they give us our year, and they tell us to have fun with our life, and encourage us to get all the latest games, phones and clothes. I mean come on, I know you're saying, what's wrong with that? In themselves? Nothing. But we at this age have become so focused on it that we can't focus on what we should be focused on during these years. Our future and families. Our performance during these years academically and otherwise is so important to out future. Without it, there is no chance of going as far as you have wished.

Take football players. Take anyone who plays in the NFL. It all started in young ages. They started in the middle school and younger and started to put time and effort into their game and technique during the early years. Then more strategy and conditioning came with every year and off season. Then they all of the off time was put towards working on their game. This dedication to their goal let them advance into a big school into college. Then they were able to take their game to the next level with greater dedication by going beyond what they are called to do. It's sort of what its like the qualifications for the Medal of Honor. Going Beyond and Above the Call of Duty. And it all started young and mainly during the teenage years. So if this is the secret of success? Why are we setting teens up to fail?