Understanding the crisis on our hands

This past weekend, the youth group of the church I attend participated in World Vision's 30 hour famine. While I want to say everything was smooth sailing because of God's power, I will say likewise. God's strength did help me overcome the feeling of hunger for those 30 hours, but not for those who struggle simply to find clean water to drink. My heart was so saddened this weekend, yet strengthened because I realize what I have to do to save the 26,000 kids that die everyday because of things like hunger. We can sit here at home, go to the fridge, look in it, and complain because we "don't like" what is in it. Kids in third world countries would absolutely have a ball at even the simplest of things in our refrigerators. I feel so bad about the way I have lived my life until this point, wasting food, complaining about the food I DO HAVE, complaining I don't have enough food, just those types things. The 30 Hour Famine has really opened my eyes to what is really going on in poverty stricken countries, and I want to do something about it. I have already put it on myself to waste no more food on my plates, not complain because some of my family's food is not my favorite, donate stuff to our local food shelter, and lastly pray. That is the most simple, but yet most powerful way of providing. God will provide for those. In closing, instead of a regular bible verse, I would like you to read the story of my team's(Bolivia) child. Her name is Beatriz.

My Health:
I am malnourished because my meals are mostly wheat. It's the only thing we can grow on our farm. I almost never get protein like fish or chicken. My parents can't afford to buy nutritious food to keep me healthy, so I am hungry all the time.

My Village:
My home is high in the chilly Andes Mountains. My village is small, and it is a very long walk to the next village. Sometimes when it snows or rains for a while, we are cut off from other people. This can be frightening when we run out of things that are rare, like medicines.

My Family:
I live with my mother and father. I had three sisters, but the youngest died when she was very small. My mama says it was from the bad water she drank when Claudia was in her tummy. She helps my father on the farm a lot, so I have to take care of my younger sisters.

My School:
Our school fell down when an earthquake came. Our village cannot build another one, so my sisters and I do not go to school. My parents never learned how to read or write, but I hope someday I can learn to read like my uncle who lives far away in a big town.

My Country:
Bolivia is a beautiful place- we have the Andes Mountains and one of the highest lakes in the world. Our country has lots of natural resources, but it is still one of the poorest in all of South America. Most of our people work very as hard farmers, traders, or folk artists, but make very little money.

Please pray for little Beatriz, and all the other children like her.

my absence

I want to apologize to those who had been reading my blogs. I fell into one of those things that just made me kinda quit on it. I will continue, tomorrow night hopefully, with my usual posting. During my absence I have started work on a sermon(my first true sermon), and a new ministry that God has placed on my heart, no not a call of what to do, but something I am doing because I want to use it as tool for discipleship(more on that later). Also something that happened to me recently happened at school(look for that post sometime this week!)

On a sad note, I would like everyone to read this article about my really good friend and teammate on my high schools baseball team:
http://lagrangenews.com/pages/full_story?article-Grangers-Bryan-fractures-skull%20=&page_label=news_sports&id=1988177-Grangers-Bryan-fractures-skull&widget=push&instance=secondary_stories_left_column&open=&

Please pray for mike

Understanding

After attending the Kaleo Conference I am really not sure what my call is, but I have a better idea of what it may be. The passage of Psalm 51 has been on my heart for almost 3 weeks now, and after returning home last night, I did something I have never done before. Writing a sermon. Everything seemed to just be flowing on to my paper. I'm not gonna say that being a preacher is my call, but it really seems to be part of it. I just ask that you pray for me, and helping me use God to write this sermon. God Bless everyone, and have a great week!

God is so great, awesome, powerful, and words I can't think of. I figured it would be time to thank Him, so God thank you for:

the Kaleo Conference- what a great conference to learn more about Jesus, and God's will for my life
Samford University- such a beautiful campus, for letting Kaleo have their thing there
Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions- for bringing Kaleo
David Platt- for really making a difference in my life, great sermons and a great man of God
Robby D.- for driving me and Trav, and being sane enough to share a room with us. And for being such a great friend
Matt P.- for being the BEST YOUTH MINISTER EVER
Travis L.- for being the best friend you can ask for
My parents- wouldn't be anywhere without them

KALEO CONFERENCE DAY #1

Today I attended the first day of the KALEO Conference at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. One very important thing I learned today was truly be obedient to what God has to say. I just wanted to keep tabs with everyone and let them know what was going on here. I will post tomorrow and give my thoughts on the stuff I learned and stuff you may want to take a look at.

Southern Baptists Need to Understand!

Last Sunday night I read my "Support" post at church. My church is a deeply southern rooted church. Let's just say they weren't too happy about me speaking about President Obama. So, I decided to share a blog by 2008 Republican Candidate Mike Huckabee.

Here's the link:
http://www.huckpac.com/?FuseAction=Blogs.View&Blog_id=2079

It is titled, "With Prayerful Hearts"

understanding our call

I am currently sitting here in Business Document Processing, we have a sub, so I decided to do this. Last night at discipled youth ministry, we talked about missionaries. We talked about becoming one, and ways to support those already in the mission field. One of the things about my life is, I know I am supposed to do mission work, but the question is where? I have prayed thoroughly about it and I feel like an opportunity is about to arise. Hopefully I will listen to God instead of having my own thoughts. Just keep that in your prayers. Thanks matt for all you have taught me about becoming a missionary and opportunities I may have later on down the road.

Internet Find

I was just kinda browsing around on several sites, just looking around seeing if there was anything useful. I wandered around for a while and saw this little "essay" this guy did about why people go to church. Please visit the link I have included to read this. I think it can really speak to you. Please enjoy. link: http://www.christianblog.com/blog/abelajohnb/4-reasons-for-going-to-church

Support

Another student planner quote: "You are never strong enough that you don't need help."-Cesar Chavez

When I first saw this quote in my planner, my first thought were of a general political figure. Let's say for instance our new president, President Obama. Mr. Obama does not handle all United States issues by himself. He has his cabinet, Congress, and other government officials. Obama by himself would not be able to handle all of our issues alone, although he might want to.

Just like President Obama, we too are not strong enough not to need help. On the other hand though, most of us don't have issues dealing directly with our country, but we still need help. That is why God exists. He is there for us, because we CAN'T do it alone. God is the almighty.

I know this is short, but I believe the meaning behind it is bigger than we can imagine. Without God, we are powerless....nothing more to say...with out his cabinet and Congress...Obama is basically powerless.

Jeremiah 51:15(ESV)

"It is He who made the earth by His power,
who established the world by His wisdom,
and by His understanding stretched out the heavens."

Adoption

God has really been pulling at my heart this week. I had felt for a couple of weeks that He wanted me to do something, and now I'm starting to realize what it is.

I told you guys about my lunch table, and one day after lunch, walking to the classroom mobile units my life took a sharp turn. I was walking along side a guy whom is a pretty scary guy. He has been known to beat people up, rob people, etc. You get my point. As we were walking he was talking to me, not really sure what was going on, just kinda talking.....and then I started thinking, what if I took this kid under my wing? Like maybe one day for lunch or after school we could go sit down and just talk. Get to know him and what he is about, and try to share with him. I don't want to go right in and say we would be accountability partners, but maybe it could be brought in. I really don't know, and I would like your thoughts about it. I see it as not only an opportunity for myself, but maybe to join the school together, proving skin color doesn't matter, or how you may appear. I just really feel inside it's a good way to interact with each other.

Have a great night

Lyrics #2

Many of you may not be rap fans, but this isn't your ordinary rap music. Really look deep into the words:

Lyrics to Unashamed by Lecrae(After the Music Stops) :

[Intro:]A yo man let that beat drop on em Yea, oh you know I'm liking that right there Wats good yall It's yo boy Lecrae Some call me crezy I'm here with my 116 clique representing to youWe just want to put it down for the Lord Jesus Christ City to city and state to state, we keep running into more 116 clique members People who are unashamed of the gospel of Jesus ChristLet me tell you where we're from dog…

[verse 1:]New Jerusalem, that's my home Let me put it in a song, so you'll never get it wrong No shame in the message, that's the reason I live (reason I live)Christ up in every song, He's the reason I'm here All they rhyme about is guns, money, sex and drugsEighty percent of these dudes is fictional thugs We don't kill nobody, we don't rob no storesWe don't trap, we aint strapped, we don't smoke that droWe aint pimpin, we aint trippin, if we tippin on some fours den youll probaly hear dat Jesus music comin out our doors(comin out our doors)we aint ashamed, you can call us lame,but everybody gotta die and stand in front of the King

[chorus:]We unashamed, unashamedUnashamed, unashamed Unashamed, unashamed Unashamed, unashamedUnashamed, unashamedUnashamed, we unashamedUnashamed, unashamedUnashamed, unashamedWe unashamed

[verse 2:]Watch this so you can really know what time it isGod is resurrected and I'm here to glorify HimMa Jesus, Jesus, ma Jesus might make a great tuneBut we gotta lead em dipset to the weight roomI gotta date soon, but it aint soon enoughFather keep pruning us, cause its proven we known for screwing upI cant front cause the pressure is still thickAnd when sin in looks like the pressure, I'm havin to turn quickA sin sick, so merk it like John OwenYou know when Jesus the Christ you can pay him, but still owe himWe shoulda died and been buried for our wrong actionsInstead Christ died and carried them on his own back (What?)This is a known fact, but some say that its fictionThis is our lifestyle, no its not a religionSee I survived death back in 2002, And religion is not at all what got your boy throughYea your boy crayola, I don't do payolaNo floors full of baking soda, just JehovahI get played to the left more than I get paid to writeSo I aint worried about eating dog, tryin to display the fight

[chorus]

[verse 3:]You see me on the block, the ava void in the landWe look the same, but we differentWe bring God to this thangWhile being vocal by the Lord and not a piece on chainBut don't get it twisted, its reasons these boys unashamedHow bout 39 lashes of beatings, they laughing and teasingThese blasphemous heathens reject the passion of JesusHe fasted from speaking even with nails bashed in His feat, and the cross,He gasping and wheezing, His lungs collect as He's breathingThe chief priest stone in the court of this chief My Prince of Peace minus the pipe who bought my grief so no more chiefinBut like the rims that hit the curb (curb) we call em shoulder bladesWe got out crosses on our back like our shoulder bladeThis is death and resurrection that turned about my directionStepping toward perfection had nothing to do with me (do with me)But the gospel is the power and power been men to pow outWe powed in the pavement takin the message to the streets

[chorus]

[ Unashamed Lyrics on http://www.lyricsmania.com/ ]

Accepting the Different

"To be one, to be united is a great thing. But to respect the right to be different is maybe even greater."- Bono...from student planner, I guess they come in handy after all.

These first two weeks back at school has really opened my eyes to an issue going on, on our campus. Although we are said to be an "alien" in society, we(Christians, including myself) find ourselves trying to blend in to the "popular" crowd. Now, this brings me to my point. My lunch table this semester is a bit different from mine in the past. My first two and a half years I sat at a generally popular table, but something pulled me away this time. I now sit at a very diverse table, 1 redneck, 1 troubled kid, 1 gangster, 1 really quiet kid, 1 kid who has made alot of mistakes, and some others. One point of that list is the fact of 1. We as a table are 1, but we are all still individuals. Something God has really placed on my heart is to get to know these guys really good, find out what they are about, and share the gospel. I know I want to try and bring to salvation, with the help of God.

I recently have been made fun of because of where I sit, by a "big-Christian" figure at my school. My words to him, "Yeah, I sit at that table, what's so bad about it?" His answer, that really bugged me because of his status, "Ok, I guess your a loser too, like the rest of them." That, my friends, is one HUGE reason it is so hard to bring others to Christ. They see these pronounced Christians treating others like that and can't help but think, "Hey, they aren't very nice. I don't want to be a part of that."

I challange everyone who is reading this, be nice! Simply caring for someone can go so far, and helps when sharing the gospel. If you are nice to your peers, they are more likely to listen, and trust what you are saying.

30Jesus replied, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. 31Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. 32So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. 34He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, 'Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.' 36Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?" 37He said, "The one who showed him mercy." And Jesus said to him, "You go, and do likewise."----- Luke 10:30-37

Dipping into the Lyrics #1

I have had the idea of putting the lyrics up on my blog for people to actually read what the song is saying. It may just be a one time thing, or possibly a weekly thing. This times song is:

Artist: Leeland lyrics Album: Sound Of Melodies Year: 2006 Title: "Yes You Have"

Every tree and every stone

Every rushing wind that moans

They sing Your praise My God, they sing Your praise

Every star and open sky

Tell of Your glory divine

They shout Your praise

They shout Your praise, yeah

You’ve stolen my heart

Yes, You have!

You’ve stolen my heart

Yes, You have!

You’ve wiped away the stains

And broke away the chains

Yes, You have!!

With Your love You set me free

Three nails gave me liberty

So I’ll sing Your praise My God,

I’ll sing Your praise

Oh, with Your love You forgave my sin

Forgot my past

And brought me back again

So I’ll sing Your praise

I’ll sing Your praise, yeah

If I ascend into the sky

Or hide behind the night

I can not run Your love is chasing me

If I fall into the sea Your hand will rescue me

No one will take Your place

Because This is all for You

Yes, this is all for You, You’re the King of the world

You’re the King of the world

Just think about what those lyrics mean to you. Feel free to comment on your thoughts

Cavities of a Heart

Today, I made my 1st of my two trips I make annually to the dentist for a teeth clean. Usually, I get good reports, but today was not one of those days. I have two cavities, something I am pretty unhappy about. I am always conscious about my teeth, and getting this news makes it even worse. Something hit me while I was listening to my great dentist explain to me what he was going to do, what about all of these cavities on my heart?

These cavities I think about, are things like lust, disobeying parents or teachers, or even turning your back on your friends. Now, I know none of us can say we are perfect, but, I know I try my hardest(although it may not always show), not to fill my heart with such things. One great thing about these cavities are though, I have the greatest "dentist" for it, Jesus Christ :) He can cleanse me, you, anyone of these cavities. I just want you to think about the cavities on your heart, and how you plan on getting them "filled." I hope everyone has had a great week so far, to God be the Glory!

Being Burnt Out

Recently. things have just not been going my way. I came into Friday, going strong, keeping up with this blog, and really diving into the word. Then came Friday morning. I don't know what happened, but instead of getting up at 6:30 like I had been, I rolled back over and slept until 7, failing to read His word that morning. Then, Saturday came, and I had this great plan, write two blogs to make up for Friday. That didn't go well either.I don't want to make excuses, but I have been pretty worn-out these past couple of days. I haven't really had any downtime just to relax lately, with work, school, church, friends, etc., and I guess my body is trying to tell me to slow down some. It makes me feel pretty bad though, I want to do so much, and I wish I could go without a break, but only one person can go without a break, and He never does take a break. Thankfully, He can continue to show me His will, even when I am burnt out. By saying this, I'm not implying I'm burnt out by Church, God, etc. I'm burnt out on worldly things. So, for anyone that keeps up with my blog, I apologize for not posting recently. I will get back on track tomorrow morning with the daily writings. Thank you everyone for your support. God Bless!

Fuel for my Fire

Since YEC, I have had this great thirst for learning about God and Jesus Christ. It's just one of those things I really can't explain. And everyday fuel just seems to be added to my fire. Since YEC, God has really been putting things on my heart. So, this morning, instead of a usual blog, I just want to take time to thank the staff at YEC, Fee, and Leeland. You guys do an amazing job, and can motivate the unmotivated. If any youth, inside the state of Georgia, has never been to YEC or IMPACT, you need to go. God really speaks to you during this time. I hope everyone has a great day, and as my youth director's voice mail says, "Do something for God today."

Being Extreme

"The heaviest end of the cross lies ever on His shoulders. If He bids us carry a burden, He carries it also."- C.H. Spurgeon

Jesus made a huge sacrifice for you, dying on the cross. Are you willing to sacrifice something for Him? Hopefully you can say you are faithful enough to do so, but if you are a Sunday only worshipper of Christ, this cannot be true for you.

Jesus doesn't want someone who follows the crowd, He wants a leader. Someone to speak up, about His name. Because nothing is as important as our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It should be your commitment to sacrifice something, as small as it may be, to our creator. Don't you think it's time to thank Him. So, make Faith your ultimate priority, and share the Gospel with someone today. I guarantee somebody needs it. Be passionate about Him.


"26If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me,the Father will honor him." John 12:26

Line of Family

Yes, it is pretty early in the morning, but the word of God is great for anytime. This morning, I decided to read our "quiet time" reading selection from "Messengers of The Faith," a bible study in His name. The reading is from Matthew 3 to Matthew 5. When I woke up this morning, my first mindset was, "I'm just to read through this one time, then get into depth during the week." Well, God speaks to us.

As we prepare back to school, it is a time to be rejoined with thousands of kids similar to us. The one things is though, how can you be sure that these kids really are similar to you? They may come from a line of family which includes a million dollar paycheck every time a child is born, or they may come from a family who didn't want them as a baby, and abused them. The point I am trying to get around to is, it doesn't matter WHO you family is. Let's take(in the future) Billy Graham's great-great-great-great grandchild was born. It is not just going to go to heaven just because it is a relative of Billy's. The only true way into to heaven is Jesus Christ alone. That's something I can't stress enough. I hope everyone who reads this has a great day, and as my youth pastor's(jesusjournals.blogspot.com) voicemail says, "Do something for God today."

My scripture today:

Matthew 3:8-9

"8. Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. 9. Don't just say to each other, "we're safe, for we are descendants of Abraham." That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones."

Back to School

"If you want to reach your potential, you need to add a strong work ethic to your talent."- John Maxwell

Tomorrow, for all those luckily attending my school and many others, we will venture back into the classrooms for the first time since mid-December. While many complain, including myself, about all the work given to us, it's there to help us. God's view of work, "...if any would not work, neither should he eat" (Thessalonians 3:10). In Proverbs, He says, "One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys"(Proverbs 18:9). Remember, in this world, more likely than not, you will not be rewarded by being lazy. For example, being lazy in school, more times than not, does not give you and "a", at work, being lazy, more times than not, does not give you a raise. By working, however, you gain a reward, whether it is that "a," or that raise. Also, with effort of work comes trust. If you do you work, your teacher knows that you are more likely to be trustworthy.
Working hard can also open doors to share your Faith, or to give a testimony. I warn you, however, do not expect for God to just give you a reward that easily for working hard, it may not be in an instant. Everything is in the hands of God though :)

"11Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord." Romans 12:11(ESV)

Silence

"Growth takes place in quietness, in hidden ways, in silence and solitude. The process in not accessible to observation."- Eugene Peterson

Tonight was absolutely amazing in so many ways, the youth at my church gave little testimonies into our recent trip to YEC. Then Codi(disciplesofthemodernworld.blogspot.com), Kyle(d-sipled.blogspot.com), and Colin(blog soon) discussing the new bible study thing we are starting. It was great to catch up with some friends. Now on with something that has been getting at me lately, Silence.

God never takes a break, oh, I could never imagine doing such a thing, but He NEVER does. He watches ALL of us, and never takes His eyes off. A great way to get to know this truly amazing God, silence. If we just take time to sit and listen to what He has to say, things would be much better in our own lives. Many people will say, well I don't have anytime. What about watching your favorite TV show? What about that time you sit there saying, "I'm so bored."? Yeah, I figured you had some time. Silence can even improve stress you may have currently in your life, because you can forget all of that and just hear what God has to say.

"7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!" Psalm 37:7

The Toughness of Life

"People, places, and things were never meant to give us life. God alone is the author of a fulfilling life"- Gary Smalley

Many things this past semester at school just made me want to give up. My grades were awful, I, sometimes, felt as if I had no true friends, and the girls just weren't digging me. I talked to one of my friends one day about how I just didn't feel needed anymore. His words to me, "You know you are here for something, you know He wants you here, or you would be gone already." That got me to thinking, you know what, I really do have a wonderful life. I don't come from a broken home, I don't have financial issues, I have no health problems, and I have the most important thing in life, Jesus Christ.

That time in my life made me realize, why am I just sitting here pouting about my own life? I didn't have to suffer on a cross while people mocked me. So I will challenge myself and any readers out there, each moment of your life should be dedicated to celebrating the life of Jesus, Serving Him, and Sharing Him. Sharing Him would have to be the most important, because, how would I, or you, know anything about Him if it hadn't been shared with me? So, go out there and celebrate this wonderful thing that has been given to you!

"For whoever finds Me finds life and receives favor from the Lord" Proverbs 8:35

My Guest Blog

Today, I wrote a guest blog for a great friend of mine, Kyle (d-sipled.blogspot.com). The title of the the blog was, "Being His Disciple," I thought it was appropriate for his blog. So here it is:


Kyle and I came across a conversation of starting each of our own blogs last week. We talked for several nights about a good name for Kyle’s blog, and knowing him as well as I do, I came up with “Journals of a Disciple,” in which changed to “The Chronicles of a Disciple.” Kyle, if you don’t know him, is a great human being, who loves God and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Now, I want to get down to it, “Being His Disciple.”

When Jesus addressed the 12 disciples, he warned that one must each “take up his cross and follow me.” Back in those days, when someone was set to be killed(ex. Jesus), they were forced to carry their cross(deathbed) up a hill, to be set for them to be on. By saying this, Jesus basically told the disciples, deny themselves and trust in Him. So, for us to be a disciple, we have to carry our cross, and put all our trust into Him. We must make Him number one in our lives. Sacrificing even the things that mean the most to us, for those who truly need.

I want to give you this quote: “A disciple is a follower of Christ. That means you take on His priorities as your own. His agenda becomes your agenda. His mission becomes your mission.”- Charles Stanley. His mission was to save us from our sins, but he did that for us. So, our mission, is to lead those to accept Christ and our Lord and Savior, because He did save us.

Kyle, thank you for the opportunity to do this. For everyone else, I ask that you ask yourself, Do I want to take up that cross? Have I really accepted Jesus Christ into my heart? If you answered no to question one, what is stopping you? If you answered no to question two, time is running out., He could be back tomorrow, and you DO NOT want to spend an eternity in Hell. If anyone has any questions, please feel free to check my blog out, or shoot me an e-mail, eastvernonyouth@gmail.com.

Thank you so much for reading this, hopefully God has spoken to you. So, I leave you with this:
“He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8

My "New Year's Resoultion"

"God is able to do anything He pleases with one ordinary person fully consecrated to Him"- Henry Blackaby and Claude King

Many people use January 1st as a stepping stone to something they want to commit to, whether it is: Stop smoking, stop drinking soft drinks, stop this, stop that. I want to do something different, I want to START putting all my trust in God, for I know he will protect me. Another focus of mine will be to put God in charge of my heart, for I have never wholly given him it all. I want to use all my talents, and my time to learn more about Jesus Christ, in which I urge to do.

In the book of Exodus, it is for told to us that "we shall place no gods before Him." In my case, I do that way too often. I place unimportant things like: sports, video games, cell phone, the computer, etc., ahead of God. By doing this I create my own problem, being satisfying to Satan. My new year's resolution in a nut shell, is to put God above all else, and let him be in charge of my heart. So I leave you with this:

"Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need." Matthew 6:33