Becoming a Christian doesn't mean you have to change. Becoming a Christian means that you will be changed.

So I read that "Sexy Christianity" article thats going around FB and it was pretty good. It was written extremely well and I ideas the author conveyed were spot on. Being a Christian in America is kind of popular now. It fits in with the whole minimalist lifestyle that is our skinny jeans, slouched beanies and thrift shopping binges. We love the idea of being best friends with God but we don't wholeheartedly and unconditionally love him. Being a Christian doesn't mean all that much when there is no sacrifice in choosing Christ. So is reading our Bible and supporting good causes just a fad along with our Mustaches? I pray it means more to us than that, and that we will continue to carry our cross when the road gets tough.

What happens when you pour your heart out to God about one thing for several years and see no kind of response? Where do those prayers go? Do they reach him, do they not? I don't know about you but my idea of perfect timing sounds right. Faith withers and doubt sets in but we are told to keep walking with our eyes closed and our hands tied behind our backs. I like control, especially when faith seems to fail me. I know I'm wrong but that's just how it feels sometimes. And then people try to reason with me and explain why I shouldn't feel this way...shut up!...just walk with me. I long for the day when I can 100% mean it when I say "God's timing is perfect. And I am happy with that."

All Sons & Daughters

I am a sinner, if it's not one thing it's another
Caught up in words tangled in lies
But you are our savior, and you take brokenness aside
And make it beautiful.
Beautiful.

How do you Worship Grow and Serve?

This is one of the many questions I had to answer when I was filling out my application for being an intern at ccob. This one in particular stuck out to me because I didn't know how to answer it. I feel like I'm usually pretty good at selling myself and showing my good side but this question bypasses the assuring smile I've grown fond of and asks you if you are who you say you are. Dang. Worship: I go to church. Grow: I do a bible study and commit to pray for all my friends. Serve: um.....well.....that one time I picked up this persons book...That answer doesn't cut it and it really showed me that I am doing relatively nothing to share Gods love beyond being nice to people every once in a while.
SO, this year I am changing that. I am helping lead a high school small group with a church up here, and I am volunteering at a few places so that I can get a feel for where God can use me best. Today I helped middle school boys in the city do their homework because no one else will help them. This friday I am handing out towels at a homeless shelter downtown to the homeless that need to take a shower. I feel the need to serve this year, and I hope that doesn't go away.

Coach made cuts today. I'm really happy my friend Matt made the team, but not being part of that brotherhood this year was and is saddening. This fall will be difficult for me but I know I needed to stop playing so that I could pursue God the way I wanted and the way I needed to. I feel like I didn't word that very well. Anyways, my point is that God is calling me to look for him in new ways right now. Through this uncomfortable time, he is reminding me of the parable of the man who sold everything to buy the field. I needed to give up soccer to because I found something better.

My attempt at being artsy

So at Camp Cow they had a door with a bunch or pictures from style and muscle magazines and all that. Then the door had Psalm 100 written over the pictures. The idea was that we turned the world into it being all about us, but then God wrote over what we did to the world and took it back for himself. Through Jesus, our sins and shortcoming have been written over. He has made us new; everything we were is washed away because Jesus has overcome. So this is my version. The words are from "Take Heart" by Hillsong United.

 

There are so many different qualities of God that make him beyond remarkable; but tonight I am in awe of how steadfast he is. My buddy from Calvin was telling me about how sad it is to invest in relationships and then have them end in a matter of a conversation. He is completely right, worldly relationships are flawed and they break like twigs under our feet, but the beautiful truth is that our LORD is never changing, and that his love is relentless! Seriously guys, we need to invest in the one person that will never stop loving us and perusing us. And we don't have to put our lives together before he is ready for us, he wants us now. No matter what condition our hearts and lives are in, he wants us right hear, right now. We were never made to walk alone, lets make our right hand man the one who will never stop caring for us no matter where we go. Then, when we are ready, we need to follow him where he wants us to go.

I miss Relient K's Christian songs. But Collapsible Lung has some good songs nevertheless.

You know guys, God opens doors and he most definitely closes doors. Sometimes it really hurst but we can get through it. I'm okay because my trust is in that God who is in charge of those doors, it just really sucks sometimes.

Lord I have so many things on my heart tonight. I'm frustrated and hurt yet your doing so much work on my heart. Every day you are teaching me and molding me into someone you can use, and I'm so grateful/exited to see what you have in store for me this coming school year. But at the same time, I feel like your method of getting to me is as usual a little drastic. I'm sorry it takes so much to get my attention. Lord I'm hurt and angry right now, but God is good all the time, and all the time God is good.

All Things New "New Man" (Official Music Video)

If you haven't read Romans 8: 31-39 in a while you should do that.

Jesus died on the cross to save us. We accept salvation by believing and letting the Holy Spirit dwell within us. Jesus did all the work for us, all we do is accept the gift. So where do good works come in? Obviously we as the Body of Christ are supposed to spread the Good News with our words and actions, but what is the correct motive? We are not saved by good works but faith without works is dead. So my question is this: Do we do good works as a response of thankfulness to God's gift to us? Or do we do good works because we think we need to do them in order to be a real Christian? This Bible study is almost scaring people in to volunteering. I'm sure there are many other options as to why people volunteer and what not, but I like to think we should serve out of thankfulness to what God has blessed us with. Nothing we do will earn us salvation. So then what about the Christians that believe in Jesus but were never active about it? Will Jesus really say "Away from me, I never knew you"? We are saved by faith right? I'm not sure what the right answer is so any wise words would be cool to hear.

So this Bible study that we were basically forced to join is making me mad. This guy makes it seem like we are bad Christians if we don't move to China and covert at least one person a week. The thing is that  I don't think God cares about the number of people as he does about the quality of each relationship. Yes we need to spread the Gospel but before we pray the prayer with someone, we need to let them know what they are getting in to. God wants true followers, not luke warm fans. And we don't have to go around the world, there are needs here. Some are prayer warriors, others are awesome stay at home moms that are called to raise up her children.

Also, he says Christians need to be different from non believers y our actions. My problem with this is that he is saying we act no better than people that only care about themselves but there are non Christians who are amazing leading fights for clean water and relief from natural disasters. So yes we need to act like Christ but we also need to speak up about it.

I'm half asleep while writing this so it's probably not well worded but oh well.

Witness Essentials

So I've been reading a book for about a year now haha (I hate reading) And I need to tell you guys about it...so basically just Melanie. I'm about done with Dan Meyer's book Witness Essentials, Evangelism That Makes Disciples and it's seriously so good. I've always been surrounded by other believers and rarely get the chance to share the Gospel with people, which stinks, but this book has some amazing advise/steps to help facilitate those hard, and sometimes awkward, conversations. After reading it, I feel more comfortable about being vocal about my faith and perusing the active Christian live we are all called to. So pick up this book or ask me to borrow it or something because we need to be more vocal and this will help. I hope you guys that are at public schools will pick this up and change lives...or at least plant some seeds for the Holy Spirit to grow. Anyways, get your hands on this book.

#DanRocks Idk why I did that but it was funny at the time hahaha

Galatians 5:24

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.

Hillsong United is my Anthem

I have come to a huge decision today and like usual, Hillsong United was the background music.

1. With their album "Across the Earth" I made my faith my own and surrendered my heart to the Lord.

2. With their album "Aftermath" The Lord directed me to Calvin for the next chapter in my life.

3. With their album "Zion" I made the decision today that will change the next two years of my life. God has sent me a lot of amazing people to pray for me and advise me on this topic. I think God is calling me to use my time in a different way now. I'm devastated about what I am leaving behind but I am confident that God is leading me into something life changing. Something much bigger than just me.

So no Hillsong did not make the choices for me that you see above, but they have always been the sound in the background when God is moving in me.

Well, I'm home tomorrow afternoon. I'm sad leaving like I said before, but once summer hits, I won't want anything else. See you guys soon!!!!!!!!! Gimme a call please!

This is kind of sad. I feel like I need more time here before I go.

Simin it up

1. My grandpa is about to pass away so pray for him and or my mom during this time.

2. I'm thinking of quitting soccer, but idk what to do if it isn't soccer.

3. Mothers day is around the corner so buy ur flowers from Phillips!

4. Only one more week of school and I found myself mad for one little reason.

5. I really need to see my church friends (you guys).

Summer Summer Summer

I'm so looking forward to summer!!! I'm exited to see all my church friends, sit around a fire with good conversation, hit the disc golf course with my boy mike, chill at the dunes, blair music in my car with the windows down and shades on, etc. Summer rocks but I still have over a week left at school. I thought these last few weeks would fly by but they are taking forever, finding joy in making me crazy. But until then...I'll listen to this.

God reminded me that when I have a problem, I need to talk to Him about it before I talk to anyone else. Friends give good advice but what really matters is what God has to say on the issue. Those answers from God can come from scripture, music, silence or conversation. The point is, God comes first.

I'm sitting in northern Michigan with 2 of my best friends, Dan and Moose, and I'm missing all my friends from back home.
I loved reading Mel's 5 part series, she is so talented and I love her.
I'll be home for a few days so call me up if u wanna hang out.
Also my friends Annie and Alexis are on my heart because they really want to go to Texas A&M and a tree kinda fell in their way, But I know they will make it.
I like Spring Break. I don't do the party scene like you all already know but no classes is great haha.
Ok I think thats all. Bye.

Psalm 23:6

Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever.

I gave a little message about this passage when I was a shepherd on the DR mission project and it has always stuck with me. I find it amazing that God and all his beautiful qualities will follow me everywhere I go. No matter what I do or who I become, His unfailing love is pursuing me. It doesn't just sit back and watch, it's active in pursuing me constantly drawing me closer to God. He never lets go or gives up hope like I find myself doing on a daily basis with some people. And on top of that, I get to dwell in his house?! He does all the work in pursuing me through all my sin and then gives me the grand prize like I won the race. So what do I do, thank him and keep on talking about people behind their backs or judging others before I meet them. If it were my story, it would be full of destruction. Thankfully my life isn't about me; my life is a part of His story, which is much better. I still have some work to do.

I really want this, and I think would be good at it.

Psalm 116:1-2

I love the LORD because he hears my voice and my prayer for mercy. Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath.

The rest of this Psalm is super good too. Read it next time ur in the neighborhood :)

Lord you know what's best for me. You have planned all my days, plans of prosperity and hope. Help me wake up each day with this understanding.

I think God is tugging at my heart telling me to talk to them

The Perks of being a Wallflower

I watched this movie last night and it was so good. A little depressing and some scenes were pretty awkward, but it was good because it was about finding yourself and the power of relationships. idk just go see it hah Emma Watson is amazing and I love here

Psalm 139

This is a pretty amazing Psalm. Tonight I was reminded how overcoming God's love for me is.

v.1 O LORD, you have examined my heart and know everything about me.
He does know everything about me, all the good and all the bad. Sure there is some good butI could write a pretty long list of all the bas things about me. I am far from deserving yet he has given me life. The number of times I have sinned against him is impossible to be counted. I am fallen.

v.17 How precious are your thoughts about me O God. They cannot be numbered.
I fall everyday and fail him countless times yet he still loves me? Yes. That is the God I serve.

v.24 Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.
Just because he forgives me doesn't mean I can get away with anything. His love washes over all my shortcomings but with his lead, I can be sanctified. My obedience should be a natural response to God's love, but unfortunately I live in a fallen world.