This begins my final attempt to care about tumblr.

Wow, I stink. My last post said I would post regularly and that was in August. My apologies for anyone who may actually look at this. I wanted to share this thought I had today, it’ what I wrote in the bulletin for kids’ church at my church:

“Wow! January has already flown by us and we’re already in February! Which I’m sure you husbands know what that means, Valentine’s Day is just around the corner! While the festivities of Valentine’s Day are always fun, I want to encourage you and your kids to remember the greatest love there is, the love of Jesus Christ. Earlier this week, I received a care package from my mother. I was super excited to open it, because though I hadn’t seen my mother for some time, I knew that it was from her, and what I was going to find inside would be a sign of her affection for me. When I opened the box, I found many necessities, food, shampoo, deodorant, etc, but she also included things that I didn’t necessarily need, but she knew I’d enjoy, a Toy Story calendar, cookies, gum, and a card signed by my family and friends. Our Father sent us a care package 2,000 years ago, His name was Jesus, and in Him, we can find everything we’ll ever need, and just because He loves us, He allows us to take delight in Him, and discover more about Him as we draw close to Him. My prayer is that this Valentine’s Day we all take a look at the care package sent by our Father. Thanks and God bless!”

What an awesome Dad we share, that He would care so much to send us everything we need and more than we could ever want 2,000 years before we were even thought of.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but but have everlasting life.” John 3:16, KJV

Alot of people have asked me to keep in touch while I’m at college, and while I intend to do just that, I’ll be posting things on tumblr from time to time just to get people updated =)

I’m completely moved in. I’m pleasantly surprised by my roommates. They all love Jesus, pretty funny. Ones a preacher, one likes video games, and the other is into sports. So they cover my 3 favorite things. I’ve already had my first Ramen meal of many, and I already miss my family (bio & church.) Anyhow, once my room looks perfect I’ll post some pics for those interested. 

God bless you and keep in touch!

Jeremiah 29:11

Recently, God has asked me to do a handful of things I’m not comfortable doing. A couple of them just plain hurt, others, I’m just nervous and scared to carry through. Yet, as I sit here, I’m honored that God would put those things my way.

Jesus was far from comfortable hanging on a cross, yet He did it for the love He has for us, and because it was for the Father’s Will.

Now, God isn’t asking me to die on a cross, but I’m now humbled that He would consider in asking to do anything. At the altar services at camp this year, many times I would just set on the steps of the altar in awe of the work God was doing in the young lives around me, and it dawned on me,  even though I wasn’t necessarily the one experiencing life changing moments at the altar, I really don’t deserve to be able to gaze at the work of the Lord that was happening.

I strayed from my original point to say this. On our own, we are people. Nothing more, we are the product of dirt. Yet God places such value in us, that He sent His Son for us, and even chooses to use us in His divine plan to advance the Kingdom!

So as I prepare to do what I’ve never done, and my flesh tells me to shy away from, praise God for even thinking of using this vessel.

“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. ” James 1:2

Summer 2011 is quickly coming to a close. It feels as if I graduated just yesterday. yet college is already 3 weeks away. Usually, I’m pretty excited for Summer to end in anticipation to see my friends at school. This Summer, I’m pretty sad to see go. Maybe because I know how much changes with me going to college at summer’s end. Maybe because I’m lazy and enjoy the lack of school work. More likely, it’s because of the amazing work has done in my life and other’s this summer, particularly at the Virginia Church of God Youth Camp. 

This year at youth camp, God put some pretty amazing people in my life that I’ll never forget, including the staff that I ministered along side, my kids in my cabin including 3 children from the African country of Burundi. But more than placing awesome people in my life, I watched God do an awesome work in some awesome people’s lives. While I’ve never questioned the faith of my sister Emerald, 14, and my brother Isaiah, 12, I’ve asked God countless times to let me see Him come upon them in a powerful way, so I know they are strong and ready for me to leave. Not that I’m the strongest Christian or the perfect role model, but I’d like to think I help them some. In each of my siblings respective weeks at camp, He did just that. To the point where I broke out in tears of thanksgiving as I watched my sister lay on the ground in the Spirit, tears pouring down her face, her hands stretched up towards heaven and speaking in a Heavenly language. 

To my family, you should be really proud of Emerald & Isaiah and their continual walk with the Lord, even the the growth may be hard to see sometimes ;) it’s there. To Emerald & Isaiah, I’m extremely proud and no longer worry about your walks when I leave. And to anyone who played a part in VA COG Youth Camp this summer, thank you. If not for your willingness and heart for working camp, my siblings may not have been touched the way they did. I love you all dearly. And lastly, but most importantly, thank you Father, may all the glory from this year’s camps go to You. Without You, it’s all for not, because it’s all about You.

“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” Phillipians 1:6