Two Things:

I just wanted to make an effort to publish two things I came across tonight, so I can have a reminder here in print, in public, to testify.

1. "As christian I believe too many times we fall into our own repeated sin and forget how meaningless it felt the first time and how this world will never be anything worth having in the end." (From CCM.net) I can't believe I haven't seen this before in my life, nor how spot on he is. I have fallen prey to my own sin so many times it sickens me to think of the repetition. I have numbed myself to God's presence by doing it - and sometimes I don't even feel regretful nor the need to confess - and in so doing I let Satan have his own little victory. I need to work on getting these "kinks" out of my life - because I do not want to be the type of person described above - I was called to and promised a life SO MUCH BETTER IN CHRIST!

2. The dramatic effects of dating the wrong person:
I was having a conversation tonight with someone about problems that arose from a recent break-up. I ended up teaching myself something (I just love how God loves to be sly and sneaks things into your life when you least expect it). Anyway, I was talking to her about how it is important to know the person well (who you are going to date) because a break-up can have very negative effects on a person (as well as those around the break-up). How often have I found myself longing to be in a relationship (for relationships-sake) without thinking about whether or not this was the right person - or, more so, whether or not this was God's person for me?

And so I digress...I just wanted to put those two morsels up while they were fresh. Enjoy!

The Bachelor Party.

Well, my friend Josh finally had his bachelor party this past weekend (after having been delayed multiple weeks in a row). It ended up being rather fun - an evening full of karaoke (which, after having just gone through and captured the video of the night, I can without reserve attest to the accuracy of the meaning of that word).

I ended up singing three "major" songs: Norma Jean "Shotgun Message," Sinai Beach "Necessary Bloodshed," and Still Remains "The Worst is Yet To Come." When the evening had died down, right before I left, I also ended up singing Kutless' rendition of "Draw Me Close" as well as "Sea of Faces." I'm not entirely happy with how ANY of them ended up, but it was an enjoyable experience overall - and a chance to share my faith and conviction (which I am often not courageous enough to do).

Hopefully, God-willing, some seeds were planted that evening (I know of at least one person who is not saved - and possibly three more that were there that I have no knowledge of). I wasn't totally forthcoming (ministering, witnessing, evangelizing...etc.) but I did make sure that people knew where I was coming from.

I also ended up having a discussion with one friend (one of the members of our small group) about actions and their consequences. He had been drinking (and as I have been before) ended up getting somewhat emotional about his convictions towards the Lord. I told him to search his heart - another friend told him to just make sure his heart wasn't turned by the lyrics. I think we were both right in a sense.

My walk is (and will be) completely different than that of anyone else. I am unique and will face different situations (or situations differently) so it is sometimes hard to know what to say to people. I left behind my "love" of secular music (and now only really listen to/purchase spirit-filled music). That is not what God calls some people to do. I've been called to ministry (beyond the normal call of witnessing that all followers are expected of). I'm very thankful that God has been working with me to allow me to become submissive in certain things, to lay things down, and to ache for a lack of self. To some people this doesn't happen the same way. While I will always focus on a unified body of believers (1st Corinthians 12:25) - meaning in turn that viewpoints need to be unified as well (to a degree) - I also take heed to that same book and chapter, verse 27. We are all Christ's body - and individually members of it - we come together to form a whole - yet we all have different gifts (1 Cor. 12:4 - 11)...therefore none is greater than the other, and all will come together in their uniqueness to form an awesome whole.

Thanks for reading all of that :)

It's Been A While.

Not necessarily a month since the last post, but drawing close. I took a look at my last post (from May, below) to get a grasp of what was going through my head then. I wouldn't say that a lot has changed in particular - I am just still growing, still learning/trying to lay things down, and continuing to walk as best I can. I still bring up the subject of hell/free-will, because these are the two topics which are most prevalent on my mind. There is a lot yet that I have NO knowledge of, and a lot that I have limited understanding of - but I continue to pray that God will help enlighten me and show me HIS truth so that I am never deceived by the lies of the world.

I have recently made friends with one of my other friend's neighbors. He seems to be a really cool guy, and a good Christian to boot (however you would think to use that as a descriptive item). We ended up driving to Midway the other day together and got a chance to bond over issues we were both having. It felt awesome to have a "strong" Christian presence around that could also be a friend. I absolutely LOVE talking about God - but it is a lot easier when the other party is receptive towards it...but it can't always be easy :)

Small group has been going rather well. It has been so awesome to witness God working on all of us. He's gotten me back in His word VERY strongly (I'm starting John tonight and have a good plan to work through the whole New Testament by mid-June). He has also helped increase my longing for prayer (and not just in the case of giving thanks for food/etc.)

I just hope that these coming days will prove to be very fruitful for all of the problems/struggles I have been having - as well as increasing those blessings God has added to me. Until then, I must walk by faith (to borrow a line from Jeremy Camp).