One thing that has been evident lately to me is the ability for a human to worry. Worrying is something that for the most part is pointless. We worry about things such as what we will get on a exam, or why someone(girl/guy) hasn't called me back, or when am I going to find someone, I hate being single. I believe that we worry so much about our future that we miss the very present that occurs around us sometimes. But it takes obedience and trust to really enjoy the present time. The Present time is when we grow the most.
The Lord has given me a lot of examples as well as scripture and stories in this area lately. He has made it evident to me that this is an area in my life that needs more prayer and attention. The times that we worry usually consists of times where things aren't going exactly the way we want them to go. First, we have to look at that bolded words... we want. It isn't what God wants, it is what we want selfishly for us. It's what we think the standard is for our life, which generally is a worldly one for the most part. When God rescued us from our sin and gave us the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is in us and will always be with us.
Some believe that just because they have God in their hearts that life is going to come easy. That because God has a plan that this plan won't be hard. But you see God never claimed that if you believed in Him that your life would be easy. In fact Jesus said that life would be harder...
Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. John 15:20
If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters--yes, even his own life--he cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:26
He never said that homework wouldn't be hard, that people wouldn't fall away, that divorce would happen, or any other struggles you would face. He never said he was going to prevent these things. He did however promise that through all these things He would be with you. That He would be your refuge.
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1
I believe that the Lord has a plan for each of us and as we grow closer to Him he will start to unveil the many riches that will come with it. He keeps things from us for a reason. He puts us through times in our lives so that we can become more stronger than ever.
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4
So as these times of worry come your way, remember that all you have to do is look up and remember that He is with you and He is never going to leave your side. He has the the master blue print but we only get to see a step at a time.
"Do not give in to fear or worry, those robbers of abundant living. Trust Me enough to face problems as they come, rather than trying to anticipate them." -Jesus Calling
For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5
We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us. -1 Thessalonians 2:8
Monday, February 14, 2011
Monday, September 27, 2010
Listen
God speaks through others to us. Sometimes however we hear what God has said and we don't want to accept it. Naturally we question it. We are clouded by what we had originally thought or what God was been saying to us. We don't take into account that God could in fact be speaking something new and different through someone into your life.
I recently read the story of Jesus walking on the water. Before Jesus identified himself to His disciples things were clouded. His disciples thought that it was a ghost on the water. They didn't understand, they were fearful, the story was unclear. But once His disciples recognized Jesus, things became clear and they could comprehend what was going on. Jesus clears up all.
This is the same when we find out something that just doesn't make sense to us. When God is speaking through someone to us, yet we initially don't want to hear it. We always presume that what we think is the right and what God has told us lately is always the most recent. That isn't always the case. If we just begin to look for Jesus within in the situation then things will become more clear to us. Jesus will clear the confusion and the heartache. He will comfort us especially when we cannot seem to understand it.
These lyrics really helped me in confusion,
"You make, all things work together for my good"
I find comfort in Jesus so once I find Jesus and try to look at where He is working within a situation it will bring peace to the area of uneasiness. There is also an underlying lesson about obedience. When someone shares with you what God has told them, you have to realize the amount that that person has trusted in Christ and being obedient to what they are being told. The ones who trust in the Lord in this way truly are the obedient ones.
"Our limitation is God's opportunity. When you get all the way to the end of your rope and there ain't nothin you can do, that's when God takes over." -Same Kind of Different as Me
I recently read the story of Jesus walking on the water. Before Jesus identified himself to His disciples things were clouded. His disciples thought that it was a ghost on the water. They didn't understand, they were fearful, the story was unclear. But once His disciples recognized Jesus, things became clear and they could comprehend what was going on. Jesus clears up all.
This is the same when we find out something that just doesn't make sense to us. When God is speaking through someone to us, yet we initially don't want to hear it. We always presume that what we think is the right and what God has told us lately is always the most recent. That isn't always the case. If we just begin to look for Jesus within in the situation then things will become more clear to us. Jesus will clear the confusion and the heartache. He will comfort us especially when we cannot seem to understand it.
These lyrics really helped me in confusion,
"You make, all things work together for my good"
I find comfort in Jesus so once I find Jesus and try to look at where He is working within a situation it will bring peace to the area of uneasiness. There is also an underlying lesson about obedience. When someone shares with you what God has told them, you have to realize the amount that that person has trusted in Christ and being obedient to what they are being told. The ones who trust in the Lord in this way truly are the obedient ones.
"Our limitation is God's opportunity. When you get all the way to the end of your rope and there ain't nothin you can do, that's when God takes over." -Same Kind of Different as Me
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Busy
I stole this from someone.. I am not sure where they got it but here it is...
STRATEGIC MEETING
SATAN'S MEETING: (Read even if you're busy)
Satan called a worldwide convention of demons.
In his opening address he said,
"We can't keep Christians from going to church."
"We can't keep them from reading their Bibles and knowing the truth."
"We can't even keep them from forming an intimate relationship with their saviour."
"Once they gain that connection with Jesus, our power over them is broken."
"So let them go to their churches; let them have their covered dish dinners, BUT steal their time, so they don't have time to develop a relationship with Jesus Christ.."
"This is what I want you to do," said the devil:
"Distract them from gaining hold of their Saviour and maintaining that vital connection throughout their day!"
"How shall we do this?" his demons shouted.
"Keep them busy in the non-essentials of life and invent innumerable schemes to occupy their minds," he answered.
"Tempt them to spend, spend, spend, and borrow, borrow, borrow."
"Persuade the wives to go to work for long hours and the husbands to work 6-7 days each week, 10-12 hours a day, so they can afford their empty lifestyles."
"Keep them from spending time with their children."
"As their families fragment, soon, their homes will offer no escape from the pressures of work!"
"Over-stimulate their minds so that they cannot hear that still, small voice."
"Entice them to play the radio or cassette player whenever they drive." To keep the TV, VCR, CDs and their PCs going constantly in their home and see to it that every store and restaurant in the world plays non-biblical music constantly."
"This will jam their minds and break that union with Christ."
"Fill the coffee tables with magazines and newspapers."
"Pound their minds with the news 24 hours a day."
"Invade their driving moments with billboards."
"Flood their mailboxes with junk mail, mail order catalogs, sweepstakes, and every kind of newsletter and promotional offering free products, services and false hopes.."
"Keep skinny, beautiful models on the magazines and TV so their husbands will believe that outward beauty is what's important, and they'll become dissatisfied with their wives..."
"Keep the wives too tired to love their husbands at night."
"Give them headaches too! "
"If they don't give their husbands the love they need, they will begin to look elsewhere."
"That will fragment their families quickly!"
"Give them Santa Claus to distract them from teaching their children the real meaning of Christmas."
"Give them an Easter bunny so they won't talk about his resurrection and power over sin and death."
"Even in their recreation, let them be excessive."
"Have them return from their recreation exhausted."
"Keep them too busy to go out in nature and reflect on God's creation. Send them to amusement parks, sporting events, plays, concerts, and movies instead."
"Keep them busy, busy, busy!"
"And when they meet for spiritual fellowship, involve them in gossip and small talk so that they leave with troubled consciences. "
"Crowd their lives with so many good causes they have no time to seek power from Jesus."
"Soon they will be working in their own strength, sacrificing their health and family for the good of the cause."
"It will work!"
"It will work!"
It was quite a plan!
The demons went eagerly to their assignments causing Christians everywhere to get busier and more rushed, going here and there.
Having little time for their God or their families.
Having no time to tell others about the power of Jesus to change lives.
I guess the question is, has the devil been successful in his schemes?
You be the judge!!!!!
Does "BUSY" mean: B-eing U-nder S-atan's Y-oke?
STRATEGIC MEETING
SATAN'S MEETING: (Read even if you're busy)
Satan called a worldwide convention of demons.
In his opening address he said,
"We can't keep Christians from going to church."
"We can't keep them from reading their Bibles and knowing the truth."
"We can't even keep them from forming an intimate relationship with their saviour."
"Once they gain that connection with Jesus, our power over them is broken."
"So let them go to their churches; let them have their covered dish dinners, BUT steal their time, so they don't have time to develop a relationship with Jesus Christ.."
"This is what I want you to do," said the devil:
"Distract them from gaining hold of their Saviour and maintaining that vital connection throughout their day!"
"How shall we do this?" his demons shouted.
"Keep them busy in the non-essentials of life and invent innumerable schemes to occupy their minds," he answered.
"Tempt them to spend, spend, spend, and borrow, borrow, borrow."
"Persuade the wives to go to work for long hours and the husbands to work 6-7 days each week, 10-12 hours a day, so they can afford their empty lifestyles."
"Keep them from spending time with their children."
"As their families fragment, soon, their homes will offer no escape from the pressures of work!"
"Over-stimulate their minds so that they cannot hear that still, small voice."
"Entice them to play the radio or cassette player whenever they drive." To keep the TV, VCR, CDs and their PCs going constantly in their home and see to it that every store and restaurant in the world plays non-biblical music constantly."
"This will jam their minds and break that union with Christ."
"Fill the coffee tables with magazines and newspapers."
"Pound their minds with the news 24 hours a day."
"Invade their driving moments with billboards."
"Flood their mailboxes with junk mail, mail order catalogs, sweepstakes, and every kind of newsletter and promotional offering free products, services and false hopes.."
"Keep skinny, beautiful models on the magazines and TV so their husbands will believe that outward beauty is what's important, and they'll become dissatisfied with their wives..."
"Keep the wives too tired to love their husbands at night."
"Give them headaches too! "
"If they don't give their husbands the love they need, they will begin to look elsewhere."
"That will fragment their families quickly!"
"Give them Santa Claus to distract them from teaching their children the real meaning of Christmas."
"Give them an Easter bunny so they won't talk about his resurrection and power over sin and death."
"Even in their recreation, let them be excessive."
"Have them return from their recreation exhausted."
"Keep them too busy to go out in nature and reflect on God's creation. Send them to amusement parks, sporting events, plays, concerts, and movies instead."
"Keep them busy, busy, busy!"
"And when they meet for spiritual fellowship, involve them in gossip and small talk so that they leave with troubled consciences. "
"Crowd their lives with so many good causes they have no time to seek power from Jesus."
"Soon they will be working in their own strength, sacrificing their health and family for the good of the cause."
"It will work!"
"It will work!"
It was quite a plan!
The demons went eagerly to their assignments causing Christians everywhere to get busier and more rushed, going here and there.
Having little time for their God or their families.
Having no time to tell others about the power of Jesus to change lives.
I guess the question is, has the devil been successful in his schemes?
You be the judge!!!!!
Does "BUSY" mean: B-eing U-nder S-atan's Y-oke?
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Home and off again
Well my time at Malibu is over... for now. As my time concluded I got the feeling that it wouldn't be the last summer I would spend there. It was hard for me to find any other way to spend my summer then to be serving the Lord at Malibu. It was just so productive in so many ways. I'll keep you updated but I really feel like God is leading me in that direction and it already has me excited.
I literally got home yesterday and tomorrow I will be moving everything up to college. I feel like I spent maybe a total of 7 days at home for the summer.
Tonight I had the opportunity to chat with Jed and Noah. They wanted to hear about my experience and I wanted to hear about what went on in their lives these past 3 months. One thing we talked about that seems to really be reoccurring with me is the topic of risk taking. By risk I pretty much mean trust and when I mean trust I mean trust in the Lord. Jed shared a time this summer when he felt like God was really calling him to something but it ended up not working out.
Think about how often we are too worried about what God has put on our heart. As if we don't interpret what He said the right way. We are so afraid of failure because we think failure in what God told us to do is a bad thing and that others can look down upon. When in reality it could just be a big lesson that God has put together this whole time, to help you realize something else. Maybe at the time it didn't make sense but in the big picture God has laid out for us it was right on.
We always seem to have a "back up" plan for what God has in store for us. We Trust in that direction but we numerous back up plans just in case God's doesn't work out. Are we saying that God's plans aren't good enough for us? That we have to have God's back just in case He gets messy with us? Noah talked about how one day we will be in Heaven talking to God about it and it might go a little something like this...
You: Hey God. Did you see how I trusted in your plan?
God: Yeah and I appreciate the trust you had but what about the "back up plans" you had just in case I didn't pull through for you? You really didn't fully trust in that I would take care of you. You didn't lay it on the line knowing that if it wasn't exactly the way you had planned that I would somehow still take care of you.
We need to risk sometimes. We have to know that God has our back. He is the God of the Universe. The Beginning and End. It might not make sense or seem right in our eyes but in God's the plan is going exactly the way He wants it to.
In his heart a man plans his course but the Lord determines his steps. Proverbs 16:9
I literally got home yesterday and tomorrow I will be moving everything up to college. I feel like I spent maybe a total of 7 days at home for the summer.
Tonight I had the opportunity to chat with Jed and Noah. They wanted to hear about my experience and I wanted to hear about what went on in their lives these past 3 months. One thing we talked about that seems to really be reoccurring with me is the topic of risk taking. By risk I pretty much mean trust and when I mean trust I mean trust in the Lord. Jed shared a time this summer when he felt like God was really calling him to something but it ended up not working out.
Think about how often we are too worried about what God has put on our heart. As if we don't interpret what He said the right way. We are so afraid of failure because we think failure in what God told us to do is a bad thing and that others can look down upon. When in reality it could just be a big lesson that God has put together this whole time, to help you realize something else. Maybe at the time it didn't make sense but in the big picture God has laid out for us it was right on.
We always seem to have a "back up" plan for what God has in store for us. We Trust in that direction but we numerous back up plans just in case God's doesn't work out. Are we saying that God's plans aren't good enough for us? That we have to have God's back just in case He gets messy with us? Noah talked about how one day we will be in Heaven talking to God about it and it might go a little something like this...
You: Hey God. Did you see how I trusted in your plan?
God: Yeah and I appreciate the trust you had but what about the "back up plans" you had just in case I didn't pull through for you? You really didn't fully trust in that I would take care of you. You didn't lay it on the line knowing that if it wasn't exactly the way you had planned that I would somehow still take care of you.
We need to risk sometimes. We have to know that God has our back. He is the God of the Universe. The Beginning and End. It might not make sense or seem right in our eyes but in God's the plan is going exactly the way He wants it to.
In his heart a man plans his course but the Lord determines his steps. Proverbs 16:9
Monday, August 9, 2010
question answer
It has been a while since I was last on here. I have been busy getting to know a new session as well as trying to spend as much time with the property staff and interns as I can. I am facing a dilemma. I only have 3 days left here. This place has become a second home to me. The people have become my community. My time here has ran by me without looking back. All I can do now is appreciate the last times I will have as well as cherish the memories.
Some of my favorite times for sure have been intern fun nights. Each week on day 3 we get to spend a nigh of fun with the fellow interns. Some of the past fun nights include an iron chef competition, kayak water polo, redneck games and playing hockey with the Beyond Malibu staff. It is in these times that we share smiles with each other. We get to purposely love on one another. Throughout the summer I have also had the great privilege to lead a Bible study day 5. It has definitely been on of my highlights. I love being able to share the gospel and my ideas with friends.
As the summer comes to a close I have to look forward to going to school. Though it seems like a downside there is much positive that is to come. At WSU we are starting our second year of college young life and I am excited to see what God has in store. I am also looking forward to staying with four awesome guys in a house off campus. The house is an amazing deal and I look forward to see how God uses it for His ministry.
For the past 18 mornings the guy interns and I have been getting up before breakfast and chomping on the Word. We generally get up at around 7. We are going through Psalm 119, 8 verses a day, for 22 days. The Psalm focuses on the law and how we need to meditate and delight in them. The point of the bible study isnt so much the scripture itself but rather the point of establishing a habit. Getting up every morning and starting it off with God's word and prayer. It might make me a little more tired but it has been an amazing way to start every day off.
"... who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father." Galatians 1:4
He has rescued us from our present evil age. As we stand in this age we are a light. Evil cannot touch us because of the will of our Father. I love the word rescued. It just rings so true to me. I look back to this summer and the things that God has blessed me with. I don't know where I would be if God hadn't rescued and taken hold of me and it just blows me away.
At the end of the week of our last camp Colton and I were asked to do a question and answer session for two girl cabins. The girls wrote down questions anonymously for us to look at and give them answers. Questions ranged from "What do you do when a guy doesn't text you back?" to "How important is sex to a guy?". It was a great time though. It gave Colton and I the opportunity to let them know what a Godly guy is like. It gave them the sense that there are guys who really do care for them.
From this session I drew one thing... these girls live in an evil age. The girls asked a lot of questions along the lines of looks and how much that meant to guys. I reassured them that the initial attraction does sometimes have to do with outward looks but a lot of "good" guys are looking far beyond that. I told them that as you get to know the irresistible qualities of a girl she becomes more and more beautiful in your eyes. It might sound cheesy but it is the truth to me. Overall the session was amazing and meant way more to those girls then to me.
Some of my favorite times for sure have been intern fun nights. Each week on day 3 we get to spend a nigh of fun with the fellow interns. Some of the past fun nights include an iron chef competition, kayak water polo, redneck games and playing hockey with the Beyond Malibu staff. It is in these times that we share smiles with each other. We get to purposely love on one another. Throughout the summer I have also had the great privilege to lead a Bible study day 5. It has definitely been on of my highlights. I love being able to share the gospel and my ideas with friends.
As the summer comes to a close I have to look forward to going to school. Though it seems like a downside there is much positive that is to come. At WSU we are starting our second year of college young life and I am excited to see what God has in store. I am also looking forward to staying with four awesome guys in a house off campus. The house is an amazing deal and I look forward to see how God uses it for His ministry.
For the past 18 mornings the guy interns and I have been getting up before breakfast and chomping on the Word. We generally get up at around 7. We are going through Psalm 119, 8 verses a day, for 22 days. The Psalm focuses on the law and how we need to meditate and delight in them. The point of the bible study isnt so much the scripture itself but rather the point of establishing a habit. Getting up every morning and starting it off with God's word and prayer. It might make me a little more tired but it has been an amazing way to start every day off.
"... who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father." Galatians 1:4
He has rescued us from our present evil age. As we stand in this age we are a light. Evil cannot touch us because of the will of our Father. I love the word rescued. It just rings so true to me. I look back to this summer and the things that God has blessed me with. I don't know where I would be if God hadn't rescued and taken hold of me and it just blows me away.
At the end of the week of our last camp Colton and I were asked to do a question and answer session for two girl cabins. The girls wrote down questions anonymously for us to look at and give them answers. Questions ranged from "What do you do when a guy doesn't text you back?" to "How important is sex to a guy?". It was a great time though. It gave Colton and I the opportunity to let them know what a Godly guy is like. It gave them the sense that there are guys who really do care for them.
From this session I drew one thing... these girls live in an evil age. The girls asked a lot of questions along the lines of looks and how much that meant to guys. I reassured them that the initial attraction does sometimes have to do with outward looks but a lot of "good" guys are looking far beyond that. I told them that as you get to know the irresistible qualities of a girl she becomes more and more beautiful in your eyes. It might sound cheesy but it is the truth to me. Overall the session was amazing and meant way more to those girls then to me.
Monday, July 12, 2010
A cool breeze
The Holy Spirit is something that we all have trouble to grasp. In our last intern/property staff bible study we talked a lot about the Holy Spirit. It got me thinking about what the Holy Spirit really meant in my life. I don't think I realize what an impact it has on me daily. I believe that Holy Spirit convicts me. It is that something deep within me that pushes me to do the "right" thing. I think the Holy Spirit is what has molded and continues to mold me into the person that God intended me to be.
It is hard for me to picture what the Spirit is. I think the best representation of the Spirit is the wind and water. It flows through things, makes things move and if you see it in action it most likely it isn't still.
One thing we have a problem with is the Spirit working inside us. It all comes back to that trust issue we have. We are selfish closed off beings. The Spirit will go into the areas in our lives that need work but we don't want to let it. We think "not that area.. that's that area that no one goes around". It all comes down to the willingness of us. Are we willing? In scripture, Jesus performs miracles on those who are willing..
It is hard for me to picture what the Spirit is. I think the best representation of the Spirit is the wind and water. It flows through things, makes things move and if you see it in action it most likely it isn't still.
One thing we have a problem with is the Spirit working inside us. It all comes back to that trust issue we have. We are selfish closed off beings. The Spirit will go into the areas in our lives that need work but we don't want to let it. We think "not that area.. that's that area that no one goes around". It all comes down to the willingness of us. Are we willing? In scripture, Jesus performs miracles on those who are willing..
A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, "If you are willing, you can make me clean." Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured. Mark 1:40-42
Let the Spirit inside us work miracles. So that we can we transformed in Christ.
Something that I have really been in awe over for a long time are clouds. They are massive yet light. I just can't get over them. They fascinate me. The beauty in them continues to remind me of the Lord. His creation. There is a quote from one of my favorite movies Forest Gump. It is when Forest is talking about the beauty of the sky.
"You couldn't tell where Earth stopped and Heaven began.." -Forest Gump
This quote is what I feel like when I am at Malibu. Even though I know deep down this doesn't even compare to the Heavens above.
The last couple weeks we have really had fun with our intern fun nights. Last week, we had an Iron Chef competition where we choose from certain food items that we had to use and just had to get creative. I had a stellar group that took on a lot of the cooking responsibility while I just watched and helped where I could.. long story short we didn't win but the food was outstanding. This week for fun night we played Kayak water polo. It was intense and quite the work out for me. After that we went caribing behind the boat. It was such a fun time. I love the times I get to spend with the other interns.
This is a song that I have really enjoyed listening to lately.. just wanted to tell y'all about it.
They say-
it is better to light a candle than to curse the dark
in the eyes of the youth
there are question marks
like freedom
freedom for the mind and soul,
we don't see them
see them for their worth at all,
that’s why we lead em
lead em to these wars
and what is it we feed em
feed em our impurities
and who it is we treat em
treat em like the enemy
humanity will need em
need em like the blood we spill
and we're freedom
freedom for the hearts we fill
we mislead em
they hunger for the love we give
but we cheat em
the guys beat him and all he wants
is his freedom,
so they defeat him,
whatever spirit he’s got
"beat him"
and they teach him
the rest of the world don’t need him
and he believes
in the disease that he’s heathen
Put up your fists if all you want is freedom
Put up your fists if all you want is -
(3rd verse) In the beginning - K'Naan
They say-
it is better to light a candle than to curse the dark
in the eyes of the youth
there are question marks
like freedom
freedom for the mind and soul,
we don't see them
see them for their worth at all,
that’s why we lead em
lead em to these wars
and what is it we feed em
feed em our impurities
and who it is we treat em
treat em like the enemy
humanity will need em
need em like the blood we spill
and we're freedom
freedom for the hearts we fill
we mislead em
they hunger for the love we give
but we cheat em
the guys beat him and all he wants
is his freedom,
so they defeat him,
whatever spirit he’s got
"beat him"
and they teach him
the rest of the world don’t need him
and he believes
in the disease that he’s heathen
Put up your fists if all you want is freedom
Put up your fists if all you want is -
(3rd verse) In the beginning - K'Naan
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Home and back again
So two week have gone by and a lot has went on..
I went home for about 6 days to enjoy a time with family and friends. It was strange leaving Malibu so suddenly. It was great being home though. When I come home from being away for so long my parents basically welcome me back like the protocol son. Feast after feast. While at home I was able to watch my brother play in the Washington State All-star game for football. I love football and enjoy watching my brother play. I also got to go boating, go to a movie, and went golfing. It was a solid time at home.
Once I got to Malibu I tracked the amount of miles a drove within this one week and I had driven over 1000 miles, this is not including the ferry or boat rides.
While away at home the rest of the interns had Christmas in June where they exchanged white elephant gifts and had a fancy dinner. It was a bummer missing it but I did get to leave behind a gift for the exchange, so that I could receive a gift in return. I decided to leave a free 15 minute back massage from yours truly in return I ended up getting the best gift there. I ended up getting a private plane ride with Bob Goff around the inlet. Bob is a neighbor of Malibu's and owns his own plane and multiple lodges. It was a great coming back gift.
When I got back to Malibu it was whole new group of personnel. When I had left Malibu the first session assignment team, summer staff and work crew all left as well. It was just strange coming into camp with things already running with all new people who I didn't know. It made me miss the first session instantly. I think it was because I connected with so many of the summer staffers and assignment team that I just felt really comfortable.
This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. 1 John 4:9-12
These verses have so much to it. My favorite verse of this group is definitely verse 12. It makes so much sense in my mind. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. This is exactly how I see Christ daily. I see Him in others. While at Malibu everyone is sacrificing themselves for others and you can see Christ through them. But it isn't just through these actions that Christ is evident. It is through their simple smiles and joy. I personally believe that a smile brightens someones face. Just as when Moses' face was glowing when he saw God I also believe that smiles show Christ to me, because like it says in 12, God lives in us.
In verse 12 it also says how God love is made complete in us.. God's love is made complete in us!? How crazy is that?! We have the opportunity to be a part of a perfect love that God provides.. a perfect, complete, and unconditional love. Let God live in you.. be in love with our creator. Show the love that Christ showed you to those around you, to those who don't know Him. This love that you show them is God living in us, and it will shine through you.
I went home for about 6 days to enjoy a time with family and friends. It was strange leaving Malibu so suddenly. It was great being home though. When I come home from being away for so long my parents basically welcome me back like the protocol son. Feast after feast. While at home I was able to watch my brother play in the Washington State All-star game for football. I love football and enjoy watching my brother play. I also got to go boating, go to a movie, and went golfing. It was a solid time at home.
Once I got to Malibu I tracked the amount of miles a drove within this one week and I had driven over 1000 miles, this is not including the ferry or boat rides.
While away at home the rest of the interns had Christmas in June where they exchanged white elephant gifts and had a fancy dinner. It was a bummer missing it but I did get to leave behind a gift for the exchange, so that I could receive a gift in return. I decided to leave a free 15 minute back massage from yours truly in return I ended up getting the best gift there. I ended up getting a private plane ride with Bob Goff around the inlet. Bob is a neighbor of Malibu's and owns his own plane and multiple lodges. It was a great coming back gift.
When I got back to Malibu it was whole new group of personnel. When I had left Malibu the first session assignment team, summer staff and work crew all left as well. It was just strange coming into camp with things already running with all new people who I didn't know. It made me miss the first session instantly. I think it was because I connected with so many of the summer staffers and assignment team that I just felt really comfortable.
This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. 1 John 4:9-12
These verses have so much to it. My favorite verse of this group is definitely verse 12. It makes so much sense in my mind. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. This is exactly how I see Christ daily. I see Him in others. While at Malibu everyone is sacrificing themselves for others and you can see Christ through them. But it isn't just through these actions that Christ is evident. It is through their simple smiles and joy. I personally believe that a smile brightens someones face. Just as when Moses' face was glowing when he saw God I also believe that smiles show Christ to me, because like it says in 12, God lives in us.
In verse 12 it also says how God love is made complete in us.. God's love is made complete in us!? How crazy is that?! We have the opportunity to be a part of a perfect love that God provides.. a perfect, complete, and unconditional love. Let God live in you.. be in love with our creator. Show the love that Christ showed you to those around you, to those who don't know Him. This love that you show them is God living in us, and it will shine through you.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)