First All Area 2011

Tonight was the first YoungLife of the new year. Something I, and so many other people have been waiting on for a good long while. When I arrived, there were so many people there, and I was so excited, because I can't remember the last time I saw that many people in Roanoke's All Area before. Let's just say, there was so much hype it was almost uncontainable.

We started off the same way we would start off any other club, with a fun, upbeat song that everyone knows and loves. Livin' on a Prayer by Bon Jovi. What a perfect song to start off this new year. My friend Jack, who I haven't seen much of in the recent history, was so hyped, he and I were pretty much going crazy. That's one of things I love about YoungLife, you can, could, should,  are expected to go as crazy as you want. Kind of reminded me why I love Jack so much, he defines crazy hahah.

We played a new game also! Well, it's new to me at least. Called mill mill. It's a really fun game, and let's just say, the way we played, you can't afford to be shy.

While these games are all very fun, the real thing that I want to talk about is my boy, Andy Fetzer. Fetz gave the talk tonight at the end, and in the beginning of the talk, he shows us a video that portrays the beauty of Earth. All the different pictures, scenes, and all the real glory of God's creation put into a 4-5 minute video. The talk however, was not about the beauty of creation.

While God did create such a beautiful earth, full of beautiful things, all of these things are made more pale than a ghost when it compares to how much God really loves us. One of the most used terms is God's love for us. Well, I got a new way to think about God's love for us. Everything you see on this earth, is God simply telling you "I love you" Every tree you see is screaming "I love you" Every rock "I love you" Every snow flake "I love you".

Have you ever been loved THAT much? God loved us so much, not only did He send His Son, but He also gave us His creation. God gave us each and every single tree, every rock, every snow flake. He gave it to US! It's given to us while we are here on Earth. In the end, it's still His, but he lets us have it. That's how much he loves us. I find it very funny that we tend to think that everything on this earth can just pop out of no where. This is something that I know, God's creation is beautiful, and I know that it just takes my breath away on those perfect days when the sun is shining. Now that I think about the beauty of this creation looking at me and saying "TJ, I love you." It makes my heart swell. This is just a great representation of how much God really loves us.

I find it really cool that Fetz actually used his own son, Cane in his talk. He talked about how when Cane is about to go to be, he hops in his onesie(Lucky child, I wish I had one!) and brings his father 2 books. One is something about reptiles, and one is his little kids Bible. It explains the Bible in such ways that a kid can really understand it very easily.

I think the reading came from Isaiah, because the note at the end of it said something about Isaiah, but it talked about the prophecies of Jesus' birth, life, and resurrection. No one believed him. Of course, it became true about a thousand years later or something. Goes back to Jesus beating the odds. That's a completely different topic though.

I believe that the main point of this talk was to say, God loves us. That's the bottom line. We've all gone our own paths, but God sent us a Shepard. A man who will stop at nothing just to bring you back to the fold of God. I don't know about you guys, but I sure as heck know that I would not want some person who just left me for other things that are just nothing in comparison to me. That's one thing that I love about Christ. He does come after us, he does look for us every single day.

You mean to tell me that someone is constantly looking for me, to bring me back to where I belong? Yes, that and so much more. God is always ready to welcome you back into His arms with grace and love. That's one of the many things that I have learned while on my walk with Christ.

Where does this love stop? It doesn't. That's the best part about it. It is a never ending, perfect love. His love is never going to be any different 20 years down the road than it is right now. His love is so perfect, it kind of reminds me of the song Just the Way You Are. "If perfect's what you're looking for then just stay the same." It's Christ's love, perfect. It's never going to change. I wish that I could say the same thing about the way I love the people around me.

Well, as much as I would love to go on, I just simply can not think of anything else to really say on this. Fetz did a great job.

I love you guys.
TJ

Prayer Overnight

Well, my time at Rockbridge was halfway what I expected, and then so much more. When they call it "Prayer Overnight", they mean over night haha. We got there about 2:30ish, and we got our stuff packed in, and all that good junk, then we headed over to the clubroom for one of the best times of worship I think I've ever been apart of.

I can't remember a lot of the songs that we sang, but I know that they all touched my heart in some way. The singer, I believe it may have been Cliff Wright, but I may be mistaken, was asking us to take our minds off of everything else. Asking us to take our minds off of school, girls, whatever our minds were locked on that took them away from God, and all His glory. Something then happened in me that has never happened before in my life. I am glad to say it was the best feeling ever.

This was the first time that I ever felt as if God was literally standing right beside me as we were singing these songs to Him. The very first time I actually felt like everything in the world was perfectly right, and that nothing was going to tear me down ever again. It felt as if God's love was so great that I would be crushed by it. My mind truly was off of everything else. My one and only focus was God, and His everlasting love. I have said Rockbridge felt like home before, but this time, it really did. I felt as if I was at home, with my brothers, my sisters, and my Father.

We sang like 5 songs, which was literally the best thing ever because I loved every single one, though I don't remember a lot of them now. The one song that is sticking in my head, because we probably sang it three times, is Be Thou My Vision. I learned that this song actually is formed to be a prayer. The first time we sang it, I, for the first time in my life, sang the song like a prayer, eyes closed and all. There was a great feeling welling up inside me, and I can't explain what it was, but even though we were fasting, I felt as if I had just gotten done binging at Golden Corral. I felt completely filled up. To me, this brought new meaning to the verses in the Bible when Jesus is talking to a woman at a well. He says, "Anyone who drinks from this well will thirst again. But he who drink from the water I give them, will never thirst again. In fact, it will be as if a spring of water was welling up inside them".

We started praying a few minutes later, just proclaiming to God how great He is, how awesome He is, and just everything that describes who He really is. Never before have I heard so many teenage believers proclaim the things I heard about God. These kids were truly in love with the Lord. We prayed for many different things. Confession of sins, asking forgiveness, giving to Him what is on our hearts, the whole nine yards. It was one of the best times.

One thing that was out of the ordinary was when we went to pray for a different area, and their YoungLife impact there. My first thought, "How do I pray for someone I don't know?" The answer came shortly thereafter. The answer to that question is, the same way you pray for someone you know. The only thing that changes is you don't know them. They're still your brothers and sisters in Christ. We also got to pray for specific schools, and people, and YoungLife there. This was great. We prayed for Lexington. I specifically got to pray for a guy named Mike, and Rockbridge High, Lylburn Middle, and Maury River Middle schools.

Then we went and we prayed for this kids that were going to Rockbridge for Summer camp. That every inch of that camp would just be a factor in changing their lives for eternity. This was great, because I don't even know anyone who is going to that camp in Summer, so I just prayed for about 10,000 kids that I don't know.

We also prayed for Justin and Libby Ryder. Libby for healing, for she has cancer, and we just want her to be healed by God's loving touch, and Justin and Libby, that God would continually bring them closer to Himself. This was great, because I had heard many stories about them, but never before had I ever seen them. Next thing I know, Justin is standing just 30 feet away asking us to pray for them.

Another person we prayed for was Liberty Fetzer's friend Cameron. She has the same disease that Hellen Keller did, though I haven't the slightest idea what that is called. It makes you go blind and deaf at the same time. Which, in the world, is one of the hardest handicaps to deal with if you ask me. I don't know from experience, but I'm imagining if I couldn't see or hear. Seems pretty hard, don't it?

There was also this segment where we looked to the people beside us, and prayed for them. First to the right, so I prayed for my great friend, Zackary ;). Then to the left, which was.......There was no one sitting to my left, so I turned around and prayed for this girl who was sitting behind me from Fredicksburg. I must say, after just one day, I have gone from zero to pro at praying for people I don't even know.

We also prayed for......Pretty much everything else under the sun. This total non-stop prayer was so great, I was really sad it had to end.

We then took a break. Zack and I went walking around, and talking about what our favorite part of the time was, what the most important thing in going into the battle against sin with our brothers and sisters is, and many other things. He and I both can say we've learned just how powerful prayer really is, and that it DOES work wonders in the world.

The next thing I can remember from this time at Rockbridge is hearing that even before everyone in the room gave their lives to Christ, someone was praying for them. Someone was praying for me. I was reminded of that right away. Adam, and Zack both had told me they were praying for me. I don't know how I possibly forgot that.

What's next? What's next? What's next? Praying for the schools, the students, and the faculty. We went through Yearbooks, and prayed for each, and every soul in them. Be that they would come to know Him, that they would keep running a million miles an hour after Him. Everything that we could think that would help the school. It was great.

After praying, and praying, and praying, and praying, we went back to the cabin to get some sleep if at all possible. Won't get into that though. Trust me, you don't wanna know....

Of course another great thing  was getting to see my freshman in college friends like Adam, Dan, Tim, Quentin, Kayla, Caroline, Landon, and Ashley. I loved getting to see them again, even though I pretty much see Landon all the time anyway haha. I love these guys and girls, and it's such a great blessing just to know them, and getting to go through life with them.

This is probably my favorite weekend since Work Crew, actually, no probably, it IS my favorite weekend since Work Crew I have learned so much from this one weekend, and I just feel more on fire for Christ than I have ever felt before. Can't wait to see where I go after this.

Here's to Christ


I love you guys
TJ

"Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart. Naught be all else to me, Save that thou art. Thou my best thought by day or by night. Waking or sleeping thy presence, my light"

Rockbridge 4-peat

Well, today I'm going off to Rockbridge with a few people from Younglife and we're going there to pray for schools and the people in them. Not just from Roanoke, but all over Virginia! We're going to be there til tomorrow, and we are praying and fasting pretty much the whole time. I really like this idea, because it has many points in the Bible where people would be fasting and praying to God for whatever, and it will bring them closer to Him. Or, as Mat Kearney says, it pulls us Closer to Love.

I've never gone a whole day without eating. I've never gone a whole 2 free hours without eating. I thought at first that this was going to be a scary experience, because I don't know what I'm going to be like since I've never gone so long without food, but then I was told that we will be praying pretty much the whole time. That will definitely take my mind of the fact that we aren't eating.

I then also realized that a lot of my good friends, my brothers and sisters will be there with me. Going through the same things. Lord knows Zack has never been one to not eat :). I think that the presence of other people there will definitely help too, because it says in the Bible "Where more than one gathers in my name, I will be there" Or something to that extent. God's going to be with us all weekend long, and I know it. When God is there, all distraction from me seems to cease.

I'm just loving the fact that I am getting to opportunity to not only see the beautiful land of Rockbridge again, but the fact that I get to go up there with my brothers and sisters, and just be God's children with them. I honestly can not wait for this experience, because I think that it will change the way I look on some things.

That's all I got for you now.
Love you guys
TJ

"It hurts to love someone and not be loved in return, but what is most painful is to love someone and never let them know how you feel"

Defying the odds

We had Campaigners tonight, and I must say that it was one of the most baffling things I've ever had the pleasure of experiencing. For the most part, we talked about statistics, and the odds of say getting struck by lightning, or getting hit by a meteorite. There was one stat though, that pretty much erased all possible doubt that Jesus is really the son of God.


We talked about the prophecies. There were 48 prophecies that had to do with Jesus really. For example, being born of a virgin, being spit on at the crucifixion, and other things that had to do with his life. Well, Good ole Pete told us a statistic of someone doing just 8 of those prophecies. The chances that anyone in the world could do eight of those prophecies, is the equivalent to covering the whole state of Texas with silver dollars, 2 feet high, no ground possible to see. Doing that, then having one set apart, like painted or something to that effect. Blindfolding someone, telling them, to find it, and them finding it on their first try. 1 to 10 million billion is the specific stat.


That's just the chances that someone does 8 of them. Now imagine the chances of someone doing all 48. I don't have some cleverly witted analogy for this, but the real statistic of this is 1  in a trillion trillion trillion trillion trillion trillion trillion trillion trillion trillion trillion trillion. 1 in a trillion twelve times over! That's pretty close to impossible. I can already tell you, the chances of me doing that, are the same as this next stat that my friend Michael so cleverly told everyone.


We were talking, and Michael just comes out with, "You know, all of this is just extra, because he was born of a virgin..." Now, modern day science technology notwithstanding, that's impossible. It's never going to happen. Remember, Jesus lived back when the closest thing they could have even fathomed to be a cell phone was the tin can attached to a string, if even that! Yes, people can now be impregnated with modern day science and still be virgins, but let's think about this. This was before Amelia Earhart, and the airplane trip. This was before Thomas Edison and the light bulb. This seems pretty crazy that someone that didn't have the technology that we do now could be born of a virgin, unless he was set apart like Jesus was.


It was even prophesied that Jesus was to be born of a virgin. Someone said that the Messiah was to be born of a virgin. I don't know about you guys, but considering even science can't pack an argument against this, I am more inclined to believe that Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus is the man who fulfilled the 1 in a trillion twelve times over. He was buried in a rich mans tomb. He did rise after three days, he was not recognized by His own disciples at first, he was born of a virgin AND of the lineage of King David ect...


This is so great, that I am not only icing my head later tonight because I am so overwhelmed by numbers that my head hurts, but I am now officially cross that line that keeps me from just rising up every single day and saying that I am a true follower of Christ. I have faith that God will keep me as safe as I need to be. I've already said I don't wanna pray for safety anymore, I just want God's will to be my works. Now that I have the numbers game on my side as well, there is nothing that will stand in my way. Jesus is a real person, He is the Son of God, and he is, as Pete said, "The fingerprint of God". No one else can claim that. When they say one in a trillion twelve times over, they mean one person, and one person only. No one else is the Son of God. No one can come to me saying they're the Messiah because I can counter them with the very thing that many people like to use against me. Numbers.


Needless to say, this Campaigners was the best one I've ever been to, as it has really reloaded my heart with God. I sat in awe of this statistic for most of Campaigners because it seems so unreal. Most people would use this statistic to say it's not possible, but there's the one. I should say the One that was and is and is to come.


Love you guys.
TJ




"1 in a trillion trillion trillion trillion trillion trillion trillion trillion trillion trillion trillion trillion. Those are the chances that one might fulfill all 48 of the prophecies." - Pete Lustig

Let's see how this goes.

One thing I'm trying to start doing is put some blog posts down where I don't think of them before I write them. I just get on the page, and start typing. I believe that I tend to edit my posts a little too much because I'm afraid of what's going to be said about them. I think that if I really just let my fingers do the work, then I won't have to worry about it, beause what I want said will be said, whether or not it seems like a good idea. Of course, the hard part is still going to try to keep on a topic. Well, here goes...

Today had to be the most pointless day of school ever. We were going to school at regular 7:30 time (for us Burton kids) and getting out of school at 12:10. 3 hours earlier than if we  were to go on a regular schedule. In all truthfulness, Roanoke County is too bent on trying to get every single second of school we can muster out of Central Office. I don't see the point in bringing kids to school to let them out 3 hours early, and without lunch. That's the part that really got me.

There was a lot wrong with the schedule of us Burton kids already, as if we needed anything more to mess it up. We were going to arrive back at Cave Spring with like half of second period left so that way we could still get at least something done. Ha, yeah right. The busses for all the other schools had all come, loaded up and left and all that was left were the people from Cave Spring who couldn't drive. We were left at Burton for an extra 15-20 minutes before both the busses finally showed up and we were allowed to finally leave.

We got back to Cave with about 5 minutes left in Second period. I didn't see the point in making a bee-line for my classroom, so me being me, I sauntered around the circle we have that goes around the school looking into almost every classroom to see if I knew someone that was going to be in there. On the whole way around, I did see my good friends Zack, and Tanveer. Now, obviously I didn't say much to either one of them because they were in the middle of class, but you know, always good to see someone you're friends with right? Especially if you're doing your best to have as little time in the class as possible.

I get the whole way around the circle til I get to the part that connects to the annex, and I meet up with my friend Allison, who just so happened to be going to the same class, so I wouldn't look like I was trying to skip, or at least skip alone. :) We walked about as slow as possible down the whole annex just trying to waste time and not have to do anything in World History, even though the only thing we're really doing in that class is a project that I'm sure both of us have done in some way or another.

Anyway, I'm not even close to halfway through the day and I'm already sick of talking about school so let's go on to subjects that won't bore the ever living crap out of me while I'm writing about them. :)

My relationship with the Lord recently has been God teach through pretty much everything I see and do in life, and I try and pick up on anything that I possibly can. I don't know really how that works, but it just does, and it seems to be doing wonders for me. God's mainly been using my friends and my brothers and sisters around me to teach the things that he wants. This is great because there is one of my friends who, I feel has been on the same page with me for a while and I learn so much from her that it's unfathomable. Even my teachers have been showing me a few things about Christ that I can't help but pick up on it.

One thing I am awful at is forgiving. Not everyone, just one person. While my reason is justified by the law of society which basically says "When the world turns its back on you, you turn your back on the world". However, this is not how we are called to live life. We are called to be loving, forgiving, and caring to everyone. No matter what they do to us that physically, emotionally, or mentally harms us. This is where a lot of people seem to think we are all on crack, because it's crazy talk to want to love someone who puts us through pain isn't it? Then again, Jesus was able to do it. I don't see why I think I'm so incapable of forgiving this one person for the thing they did, when Jesus was betrayed by one of his friends. One of his disciples. In the end, guess who was still forgiven. The disciple was forgiven of this. He only basically led Jesus to His death by doing this. Jesus still loves that guy just as much as he loves me. I'm no better than the guy who betrayed Him. Judas I think his name was? Oh well, point is, the man basically killed Jesus, and he was forgiven. I was left, and I am not forgiving? Someone, please smack me. No not literally.

I'm glad I had my little rant to Pete and Zack at Wendys like a week and a half ago. Ever since then, I have really learned a few things about myself, and my relationships with people. Even some people who weren't even there have been teaching me a little about myself and about new ways I can try to look at things.

You knew it was coming, time to get my daily rant about this girl out.

I was talking with my friend Eric on the way back from Zack's house, and we got on this subject of me and thie girl. Well, he does know exactly who I'm talking about, but I don't think I'm ready to cross that bridge here yet. Anyway, we were talking, and he told me that the biggest mistake he made with people was trying to date them. It really got me thinking. Have I been trying to just skip to dating this girl, or have I actually been trying to pursue her? The answer truthfully is, neither. I haven't really taken a step in a good direction ever since I really started liking this girl. The only thing I've really done right is just want to follow the Lord every step of the way. I read a post recently by my friend Kendall Chapter 8 of Crazy Love (T-best book I've ever read). That chapter talks with how we always ask God for "traveling safties" or to keep us safe. I see there's a flag on the play with this one.

The penalty for this is being scared. I believe that when we ask for safety, it shows that we are so little in faith the God will provide for us, that we feel as if we need to ask him for it. As the name of Kendall's post was I say "Screw Safety" I'm sick of living a life where I think being safe is the best thing to do. I'm sick of being passive, and not going out, loving people, and showing people what Christ has done for me. One of the best things He's done for me is give me the brothers and sisters that I do have. I kind of want to take a picture around with me, and then when someone asks me what God has actually done for me, I can pull out the picture and be like "God gave me these guys." My brothers and sisters are the biggest blessings I could never ask for.

Today has been a hard day for me with other people. I just don't wanna say why.

<3 The Scientist by Coldplay. Just saying. That song is about as money as Bill Gates's pay check.

This actually felt really good to write. I think that I will definitely continue doing this. I will have some posts that do have a plan that I want to follow. But I think that this is way more fun, and I don't have to worry about keeping the same topic the whole time unlesss I really want to :)

I love you guys. With all my heart
TJ


"Faith without risk is easy" - I heard it from Cailin Smedley at Campaigners. No idea where she got it.

Blown away

I just listened to a song by Justin Bieber. It's called "Pray". I didn't think too much of it, but then the chorus was really good. Never before tonight have I ever had so much respect for little JB.

In the song, JB talks about how there are people out there who don't even get to eat dinner, and he says in the song "Am and I sinner, because there's still food on my plate." I think this is a message. I mean, how come while there are people who would murder for the food we get to eat every day, we throw away half a plate of stuff we don't want to finish. It just makes me think. When we are taking the food we have for granted like that, are we in essence serving God our leftovers? It really makes me think.

He also talks about the soldiers in Iraq. There are many soldiers over there who want nothing more than to come home, and see their families. I can't even come close to knowing how much they want to come home. We can't fathom the things that they see. I am very thankful for them over there, and I pray that God would just help them stay safe over there. It just really makes you think about your life. When we take the free lives we Americans live for granted, are we serving God our leftovers? It's just so weird. JB, thanks to you for that song.

I've been talking a lot about serving God leftovers. That's because  that's one thing I am usually very bad at doing. Like, I will only serve Him leftovers. God doesn't want our leftovers. There's a story in the Bible about two guys. They were named Cain, and Abel. Cain and Abel were working on a farm, and when the time came to give to God, Cain gave fruit from the ground, and Abel gave the first born sheep. Thing is, God didn't take too kindly to one of those gifts

God took favor over Abel's gift of his firstborn sheep. This is very ironic that I talk about this now actually, because this was last weeks sermon from Quigg Lawrence. Anyhow. God took favor in Abel's gift, but not Cain's. Cain gave fruit from the ground. Like he was giving God their food, why was it bad? Thing is, Cain was giving because he felt obligated to, and not because he knew God would provide for him what he needed. Cain was giving the first born sheep. He didn't know if there was going to be another sheep coming later, he just trusted God, and sacrificed what he could. Cain had total faith in God's promise. Cain's gift like I said, came from the ground. Something about the ground wasn't good, but I can't remember what haha.

Long story short, Cain was serving leftovers to God. I don't wanna do that. I'm sure you guys wouldn't wanna do that either. Looking at God, I don't think he rather enjoys getting our leftovers. I may have said this before, but God wants every bit of us. Why are we so scared of holding back? Let's go out, and live our lives like we're 100% in love with Jesus Christ.

Well, that's all I have for you today.....Well, tonight......This morning..
I love you guys.
TJ

"By now, you've probably realized that you have a distinct choice to make: just let life happen, which is tantamount to serving God your leftovers, or actively run toward Christ" - Francis Chan.
"Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression. But a good word lifts it up" - Proverbs 12:25

Flying high like a Free Bird

The funny thing about life is how much we tend to worry about it. Why should we worry abour our lives? There is nothing on this earth that can really harm us in the only way that really matters. We always limit ourselves to what we do because we're scared of the effect that certain things that we will attempt will have on our lives. There are many situations like this in my life. I recently became kind of stressed out about the things that I have been doing....Or not doing. I've only been focused on a very few things, because they are the things that I want to find my identity in, Surprisingly enough, the first thing I can tell you is Christ.

Now, you might say, "He's putting Christ first, there is no reason to worry." While there is Christ there, I have not always been putting Him first in everything that I am doing. I am glad to say though, that I have been going steps into the right direction. Christ is slowly, but surely becoming first in my life again.

Football lifting has started, and though I have not yet been to one, I know that when I do start going, it will do a great deal in helping me to remember Christ, because our football team is centered completely around faith, and love. Which are the two things that Christ asks for. This is another reason why I am so happy to be apart of this great team. Since we go through the two-a-days together, we go to every game, and remember that the men standing to the left and right of you, are your brothers. They went through what you went through, and so they're just as eligible to be there as you are.

Another place I am starting to see Christ more and more everyday is in my school. I can't very well exlain why, but for some reason, I've started to notice that people are changing. People have become more loving than they usually are. It's almost weird, but I like it. The feelings inside of me have been changed a little bit too. I've started to really want to chase Christ. It's very weird, I mean, why wouldn't I want to at all points of the day? The answer to that question is, I'm a lazy, sinful human being.

Okay, well I went completely off topic, but there is probably a reason that happened. Going back to the topic of how much we worry about life.

I tend to worry a lot about school, sports, and the neverending topic of, girls. The verse that I learned recently, and have taken to heart is Proverbs 12:25. "Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression. But a kind word makes it Glad". To me this means, all theses brothers, and sisters in Christ you have around you. Look to them for encouragement. I know that without my brothers and sisters around me, I would probably have lost a lot of faith. Because they love me though, they will not let the things of this world get me down. I feel like I haven't been really returning that favor. This isn't a good thing because they go through things in their lives in which they need some positive reinforcement.

I think that when we do experience the anxiety of the world though, that we tend to become very lazy with things that we do. Be that in school, athletics, or any other thing. Even reading the Bible. Francis Chan completely wipes my lazyness away with a quote that really puts things in perspective.

"You have a distinct choice to make: just let life happen, which is tantamount to serving God your leftovers, or actively run toward Christ." This quote basically says, if you're just going to take the easy way out, and not do anything. You are guilty of serving God your leftovers. I've done it. I think every Christian goes through this time every now and again. I don't know about all of you guys, but as for me, I don't wanna take my chances with serving God leftovers. Also, when you serve someone something, don't you ever think, "Would this person like this?" Well, I don't think it takes a rocket surgeon to say, God doesn't want your leftovers, He wants you!  That's all there really is to it. God doesn't want the short end of the stick. We are all so quick to forget that.

Now, there are many more things that can be said off of that subject. I just don't wanna go through all of that. You might call me for lazyness, but I think that the general idea is already across, and there is no need to go on with this subject.

I love you guys

TJ

"By now you've probably realized that you have a distinct choice to make: just let life happen, which is tantamount to serving God your leftovers, or actively run toward Christ" - Francis Chan, Crazy Love

Proverbs 12:25

My friend Lauren wrote on my wall for my birthday the other day, and she told me a verse that has been ringning through my ears like a good cymbal does when it's hit just right.

Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression. But a good word makes it glad.

When I first read this, I didn't really know what to think. As I thought on it though, it kind of reminded be that I have no need to be anxious about anything in this world. For if I am to become anxious, then I will sadden myself.

This also kind of changes my view a little bit on how I am chasing this girl. Most of you who are or aren't going to even read this know that I have been chasing after this girl for a little while. Every time I see her, my days are brighter. All that good stuff. It's kind of got me thinking, "Why am I so caught on this girl?" Of course even that answer isn't a bad reason. The reason I've become to caught on this girl, is because she's made me fall more and more in love with Christ with almost every word I fathom from her. She is just so intent on following the Lord, and when I see that, it just puts me in that same position, because with Christ, everything is made right. In all seriousness, looks aside, personality aside, though at least with her those are two great things, Christ is the number 1 reason and really the only reason I have so much interest in her.

Okay, before I get carried away with that.

Another thing I can apply this too is my sports life. In sports, I seem to always want to be lazy, which many times puts my heart in a bad spot. You would think, being lazy in a sport would probably make me feel so much better, since I am not putting myself through such physical stress. With sports however, and even with life, Christ has called us to be the best that we can possibly be. With sports, I can show people the talent that God has really given me, and when people see me doing those things on Friday nights, they might not think about the fact that it's all Christ's work, but they will see excellence..hopefully that is. The point is, when I become too anxious to want to be great, I'll start to slip up, because I'll be trying too hard. Yes, you can try too hard in anything that you are doing. Except of course loving Christ. When I am lifted up by my team mates, when I know that they have my back, and will cheer me on the whole way, my heart is risen from it's surpressed state, and then I start to excel in my attempts. Bottom line is, when you're lifted up, you perfom better. Proven fact.

School, oh boy.  I can apply this to school I guess with my work. You know, class work homework, and all that jazz. With class work, I guess when I become too anxious to get something done, I stop listening to the teacher, and only focus on the work that I know not how to do. It becomes a thing that I missed my opportunity on, and I now have to hope and pray to God that I can figure it out. However, when I am being brought up by somebody. Be that somebody looks to me for help, or people just give me the positive reinforcement that I really need. That can really help my grade out. So, those of you who really care about me, and how I do in school, please just keep telling me that I CAN do it. That I am not going to "just let life happen. Which is tantamount to serving God my leftovers." Thank you Francis Chan. Tell me the Christ would want me to actively run towards him in every way of life, even my school work.

You know, now that I think of this more in depth, I think that I need to start taking this seriously. I am falling more and more in love with this verse the more I look at it. I can not say how much it really is starting to mean to me. Dang, this completely baffles me.

I was going to say something else, but I think I'm going to leave it at that.


Love you guys.
TJ

16 reasons to love

1. When you love, people see it. Even if you don't know they see it
2. No matter what movie, person, or sign tells you other wise, Money doesn't make the world go round. Love does.
3. When you're loving the people who don't love you back, they will be completely baffled and dumbfounded.
4. When you love others, you feel happier than when you're not.
5.When you love someone, you know you have a good  friend. And who doesn't want that?
6. We're born to love.
7. Love isn't discriminitive. Anyone can do it, in any way.
8. When someone feels loved by you, they will probably be inclined to love you back
9. The term your love is my drug can be real. Love is addictive
10.When you love others around you. You love God
11. God loved you first
12. Jesus gave His life out of LOVE for YOU!
13. When you feel loved, you're thinking only about love.
14. When you're thinking about love, you want to love others.
15. When you love someone, it can do anything. Even change their lives
16. Silence is not golden. Love is golden.

You might ask why I put these posts up, and why such a random number.

The reason I am putting these up here is not because I think love needs reasons. I just thought if people had reasons, they just might wanna try it. Any of you who read this blog who actually know me probably know why I put 16 today haha,



Another reason I posted this is because love is all that has been on my mind recently. Love for God, Jesus, others. The biggest thing is love for each other. Your brothers and sisters in Christ that you know. How many of them do you actually tell them you love them and mean it? That's all I ever really want to do. I just want to hang out with people. Love them.

Another thing to think about is loving what you do. When you really love what you are doing, you are more likely to do it right, and quicker. It also seems like you're having fun doing it. Now how 'bout that! I certainly love a lot of things that I do. When the love is gone, the thing I'm doing just seems like work. That's the main reason I do many different things that I do outside of school. They're fun, and I love being there and doing stuff.

That's one reason why I am usually drumming on anything I can find. I LOVE drumming. It's fun to do, and I can really be myself when I am drumming. I can really express myself while drumming. There is just so much that you can do while you are drumming. The best part, you can do what you want! It's complete freestyle for the most part.

That is it my friends. I had a great birthday, and would just like to say, I love you guys

TJ

Teach me how to love

Well, over the past few days, weeks, or however long it's been; I've not bIeen able to shake a few things. A lot of things in my life have been going great. These great new highs haven't gone away either.

Anyway.


I'm still really likin' this girl. There is just so much I have learned from her, and the worst part. She doesn't know it. She doesn't know what she's been inadvertently teaching me, and how much she really means to me. In any case, I really think there might be something. I'm just not sure yet. This hasn't changed too much, other than I just keep finding more and more reasons to think about it.

 Anyway. Another thing that has happened recently, is I got a call, and long story short, I'm going to be "sponsored" throughout the rest of High School, getting money for things that I really need. Things like lunch money, SAT stuff, college things all that jazz. This is great because it will definitely help my dad save money in order to get things we need around the house and all that good stuff. :D

Another thing that happened recently that is freakin' amazing is that my dad got a new job at the Post Office! He is now going to be off on Friday and Saturday. Fridays off? Football games!!! He'll also be making more money assuming he can stay at work. He also has better hours in order to help me and Brett get up in the morning. In all truthfulness, there is no better time for this haha.

 Well all of this stuff is good, but really, none of it can really be accredited to anyone except God. God has given my family all of these things and we can not even try and think it was because of us that we got them. I didn't do anything special to get that stuff. God has given me this blessing. Glory be to Him because that is where it rightfully belongs. All things come of Thy Hand o Lord. God is good. That's the basic gist of this whole story.

Well, there is so much more that has happened, but it's personal things that I don't think would be very good to post on this thing for the whole freakin' world to see.

Love you guys.
TJ

Btw, I turn 16 in 23 hours :D

Crazy Love

I'm finally getting to post this because I am thinking about it right now haha. About a week ago, I finished reading Francis Chan's "Crazy Love". A book that is all about God's insane love for us, and a quite a few other things. Let's just say this book has changed my view on a lot of different things.

For starters, it's changed my view on praying even. In chapter 1 or 2, I can't remember which, he tells us that many of us, when we pray are quick to speak, and not let God do any speaking of His own. We tend to talk at God. I do this many many times. I know now that we must be, as James 1:19 says "...Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak..." This can mean a number of things, but I think one way everyone should take it as is that when we pray, we should be quick to listen to what God has to say to us. We never know what could happen. I notice that when I am quick to speak, I tend to say some pretty pointless stuff. When I am slow to speak, everything has good meaning to it. Try it, see if it doesn't change your views too. God can say some pretty awesome things when you listen to Him.

This book also changed my views on just what it means to live your life completely in love with Jesus. He gave us a few stories on the people who are 100% in love with Jesus. They live their lives like it too. There was one guy, who would rather spend all of his money on those who need help. He spends as much as he needs to survive on himself. This guy is officially my hero. I want to live my life 100% in love with Christ. I need God's help for that though. Ain't no way I can do stuff like that on my own power. There are many more stories that I can't remember right now. But they are all so very powerful.

The book has also opened my eyes to the fact that I am very prone to think that I can handle things on my own. I'm not sure how much he talked about it, but I know that he proved to me that there is no way that I can totally live life at all on my own. He says in the book "How can we possibly live life without the help of the very One who created us?" In some way, that's paraphrased probably like crazy. You know what I mean though. God created us all. Every single one of us. He knows us all intimately, and fully. You think you can try living life without Him, you may have a good life financially, but you will never be completely filled up. Trust me, I know. I've tried everything to fill up my life. Nothing is really filling like He is. I've gone everywhere. To girls, to drugs, to alcohol. Everywhere. It doesn't work. Just look to Christ, He'll fill you up completely.

There are many more things that this book has taught me. No matter what though, there is another thing that teaches me more about God's amazing, Crazy, relentless, undeniable love. Obviously, I'm talking about His word. The Bible. No matter how many times you read over any other book. The words in the bible forever will be truth. The words that God is speaking to every one of us. I learn so much from it. Anyone who listens to what is said in it will learn as well.

That's about it for tonight. I'm in a great mood so I don't wanna spend it all on here.

Love you guys.
TJ

A little bit of what the heck.

So, I was reading Crazy Love last night, and I read about this man who lived his life like he was insanely in love with Jesus. Thing is, he lived in China, and he was thrown in jail and prison multiple times for whatever reason. It said he was thrown in 30 times for 4 years or more. Well, he was put in a Maximum Security prison. Chances of escaping, about as good as me breaking 7 feet tall. Well, the guards at said prison beat his legs until they were completely useless. The man could not walk anymore. Both legs were broken. 6 WEEKS later, the man walks out of the prison. The doors and barriers that are impenetrable by just a regular man, were opened. Not a single guard stopped him either. They just let him go about his business. It wasn't until he was fully out of the prison that he realized he was walking on "broken" legs. Tell me THAT isn't the craziest thing you've ever heard. I don't know about you guys, but after reading this and many other stories just as powerful, it makes me want to live life like I'm fully in love with Jesus.

That's all for now

Love you guys
TJ

Bam

Three chapters into Crazy Love by Fancis Chan. I must say this book is very powerful. I think this book will probably have just as great an impact on my life as Million Miles did. There is so much he has already talked about and I have only one idea of where to start

In the beginning, he talks about how a lot of our American views of God are just the regular things that you get great joy from. You know, graceful, loving, providing ect. He is all of those things, but we need to remember that He is also a sovereign God. He doesn't need help to stand. He is the perfect entity. Jesus, His son, was the perfect man. We can't stand on our own. We need help. God does what he wants. God also is more than just the nice, loving God. He also is a just God. Those who disobey Him find this out the hard way. I think if we all remembered everything that God really was, we would not only love Him, but we would definitely fear Him. Think about it, God can do what he wants. If God really, really wanted to, He could end all life right now as we know it. He could end our existence, and we would never have another day on Earth. Reason this doesn't happen? The exact thing everyone sees. The loving God, and forgiving God.

Chapter 2 Francis talks about how we jump into prayer and just talk at God. We just talk, talk, talk, talk, talk. We never really take the time to listen to what God might have to say about what we're saying. Yes, prayer is definitely the time you take to talk to God. It's like a conversation though. You must take a step back, and listen to. The best example I can give of this is my friend Quentin. Q gives a very good definition to the real reason we all have two ears and one mouth. Quentin is a very quiet guy. He doesn't say much until he feels it's a good thing and time to say it. He listens to everyone. He might be the best listener I've ever seen. Many of us are very extroverted. In the sense that we talk way too much. People tend to think that if you don't talk much, you must not have many words to say or something to that effect. Thing is Quentin is a very smart guy. He can usually think of just the right thing to say, and that is because he's such a great listener.

Chapter three, he gets into how wide God's love actually is for is. Like it says on the book and all, God is love. He is Crazy, Relentless, All powerful love. That's the kind of love God has for you. For parents, the child you have is YOUR child. We in that sense are God's children. God created us, and He has loved us from the start. The beginning of time start. He has known each and every one of us personally, intimately, and fully since the beginning of time. He has known where our screw ups are going to happen. He knows every single word that has, does, and will ever come out of your mouth. He also loves us enough to give us the freedom of choice. He doesn't force us to love Him back. He just wants us to. Wouldn't you want your kids to love you back. Chan illustrates in the book if our child came up to us one day, and straight out said "I don't love YOU, I love the things you give me". Many of us tend to fall more in love with the blessings God gives us, rather than falling deeply in love with God. We need to see that if we are just falling in love with God's blessings, then we are missing the bigger picture in which God is also calling us to do things in His son's name. When we get caught up in the blessings that God has given to us, we tend not to think about what He wants us to do.

This happens to everyone. Not a single person in the entire world can say they have never had that time in their life where they started to just love the blessings they were given because it brought them great joy. Then when the time of joy wore off, they were back to an unpleased person because they didn't think God loved them anymore, or something. God does give blessings, yes. He also wants us to not become content with what He gives us. A lot of people don't realize than when God calls us to do something for Him. If we decide that we will do it, and do it to the best of our ability, then the blessing we receive from that will be 10 times greater than the one He gives us just because He's God and He can. I know there are times where when I feel totally blessed, and I never want to leave this great feeling time, I have tended to become content and lazy. When the time wears off, then I feel like something has been taken away. Now I tend to look at it as, you can bless yourself by doing many things. I have noticed that the greatest blessings come when you give freely. When you just put yourself below others and give out what you have that another might not. I emplore you guys to just go out one week, and do something for someone. Whether it be mowing their grass for them, shoveling snow, or giving money, or food. Don't expect anything in return. You will have a great sensation come about you. Believe me, if you don't get that feeling, you were probably giving things because you thought you had to. I know if I think I have to do something I'm less likely to feel good about it.

Just another thing that I want to say is that God has the best timing in the world. Don't believe me? Listen to the people around you talk about stuff. If you're struggling with something, go to a friend, or maybe a Church pastor, or even the school counselor. Really listen to what they have to say about the subject. I know that many a time, I have been struggling with things and God has spoken to me through many different people. God always knows when you're hurting, so when you need a friend, He will always be the person you do have to lean on. Think about it, He's bigger than the all the universe, He created the universe, and everything in it. I know that I have had a little bit of trouble with something lately, but God has shown me straight through that by just having me read a few books. The things I have learned from these books have removed the thoughts that I couldn't remove by myself, because God knew that those books would help me to get a better insight than if I had just tried to go it on my own. Believe me, when you need something, God has the best timing in the world. You also have to count that He does things in HIS timing, not ours.

That's all I have for you guys now. Hope you guys liked this.

Love you guys.
TJ

A Million Miles in a Thousand Years

This  book has gotten me thinking about my own life. Not many books ever get the chance to say that. This book has me thinking on the story that is my life, the mini stories that make up that one big story, and what I'm doing each and every day because every day God gives us to live is another chapter in each story. Biggest question each day, what are you gonna do with it?

I think that this book has changed me a little bit. I've recently noticed that I am a happier person, around other people. I tend to have more energy too, which is somehting I've needed for a good while. I'm also growing more confident in what I do. This book has lead me to believe wholeheartedly that there is no reason to fear anything of the Earth. That's the way it should be. We should not fear Earthly things. We should only fear God, and His Judgment over us.

Another thing this book has me thinking about is what I'm called to do in my life. I've had a problem with seeing where I was called to be, but now that I have some insight from this literary genius, I think I'll be able to pick up on any of God's calling for my life easier than I would had I just not read the book. I think because of this book, I'll be more attentive to God, and when He calls me, I'll be ready to look to the Heavens and then do what He wants me to do.

Speaking of being called, one thing I think I'm being called to do is speak on something. I really think I'm being called to just get in front of a bunch of people and speak about something. What that thing is, I don't really know, but I know that I have been having this urge to speak pubicly for a while, but I didn't think it was a calling from God. Now that I can see it is, I will just be more apt to want to do it now. I usually don't like speaking a lot, but if I'm being called to do it, then in the name of God let it be done.

Another thing I've noticed since I started reading this book is I've noticed Christ in different places recently that I usually don't see Him. His love is showing in almost everything I've done over the break. I've seen His love expand from where it was, to the endlessness that it is. His love even shown through the people who don't believe. His love is just so overwhelming that we should not be able to contain the extreme joy that we get from it.

I just want to thank Don Miller for writing this book. I know this book will touch the lives of many of the ones who read it. There are a million different things you can take from this book. I hope that whomever reads this book shouldn't just read it as though you're just trying to get through it to say you've read it. I hope that when you read this book, you search for the deeper meanings. You see the hidden messages that maybe God is trying to send to you through this book. This book is a great thing to help you see some things you might have been missing in your life.

I hope this inspires you to read this great book. This book has forever changed my life, and I think that it can change the lives of many who will go to read it.That's all I have for now. Can't wait to see the results of where I'm going. Now the only question is, what will  Crazy Love by Francis Chan teach me?

Love you guys.
TJ

This book is amazing!

A Million Miles in a Thousand Years has to be the best book ever! I'm now thirty chapters into the book about to start Chapter 31, and I can't believe the story I've been told. I love this book more than any other book I've ever picked up.

In the later chapters of this book, Don talks about how how he and his girl he's been chasing dated for a while. He said he loved her more than any of his other girlfriends. They were even to the point of where they were talking about Marriage. At that moment, I smiled, and was like "That's awesome!" Anyway, he then says the he and her began to fall apart. They went on a trip to have their families meet, but on the plane ride home, they broke up. This was probably a low point in Don's life, because from what he said, he really really loved that girl.

He also talks about the memorable things that happen in a person's life. Our own little stories that have really memorable things happening. He talked about how these memorable things happen when stuff we consider outside the box happen, and it probably makes us laugh or something. He also talks about how we have to MAKE these things happen sometimes.

I love that he said that. It has inspired me to make a memorable moment happen. I've been waiting for a moment of opportunity to knock on my door. Well, how's about we all stop waiting for opportunity to knock on our door, and we go and knock on opportunity's door, and make things happen. There are only three people in the world. Those who watch things happen, those who MAKE things happen, and those who are saying "What happened?" I don't think I need to say which kind of person everyone should want to be.

These people can be found in any aspect of life. Football for example: There are the players who are just on the team to say "I play football". These are the people who sit by and watch everything happen, even in practice where they should be giving their all to be going for a starting position on a Friday night game. The people who make things happen are the people who give it their all in practice, the ones who don't just go for the big hit every time, the ones who work together with the other 10 people on the field with them to get one common thing accomplished. These are the people you non-football playing types watch on Friday nights, winning the game for their school, or even losing, because the other team worked harder. The people who say "What happened?" are the people who don't touch the field, who don't know what's going on, the ones who show up to the Friday night game to see their team win. They're also the people who are very negative when their team loses. They can say things like "We suck", or "Our team's a joke". These people need to understand that there is more to football than they can possibly imagine. I believe that there are a lot of people who think football players are not as high as them. The ones who think if they were in pads, they'd do better than everyone out there. Thing is, when people talk that talk, they NEVER, walk that walk.

In school: The people who make things happen are the ones who study for their tests, or the ones who actually pay attention in each class getting all the information they need to pass that final exam at the end of the year. These are the kids that get into good colleges easier because they have worked for it. The ones who watch things happen in school are the people who just skate by, maybe even fail grades, because in all reality, they've stopped caring about it. These people probably either cheat on tests, or copy other people's homework a lot because they're too lazy to do it themselves. The people who say "What happened?" in school are the ones who don't know how to make things happen. They might work their tails off, but they will fail a lot of quizzes and tests because they don't get it. They also are the ones who are too scared, or too lazy to go to the teacher and ask for help, or even go to a friend and ask for help. These could also be the people who think they're doing really well in a class, but when that midpoint grade comes out, they have a D or an F. Because their fear paralyzes them however, they refuse to get help to raise that grade up.

In your faith, there are many ways you can make things happen. For me, and my friends, it's going into the broken world we call Earth every day and loving on other kids, trying our hardest to show them the love that Christ first gave us. There are also many ways you can show love to kids. Be it buying them lunch, or hanging out with them on the weekends, broin out or something to that effect. You can also pray for them, maybe even with them if they would like. It's a very hard task though, because many people are persecuted because of their faith, and are told they're wrong, and are just shut out of the world. The people who watch things happen in Christianity, are the ones who attend Church semi-regularly. The ones who know a few verses because they think that's how it works. They don't go on missions trips because they don't want to. The reason I don't go on missions trips is because I don't feel called to be a missionary. Anyway, the watchers also probably haven't given their lives to Christ, or probably have, they just don't want to go farther than that. It's not necessarily a bad thing, because like it says in the Bible, Our greatest deeds are like filthy rags to Him anyway. The one's who don't know what happened could be the ones who think religion is just a cultist activity to get people behind an idea. This idea constitutes that religion is just a closed minded idea, and that people use religion to feel welcomed somewhere. They also might be the ones who just don't know what to do with their faith. They could be Christians. They just don't know what to do after that. I don't really know how to describe this section, but there are probably ways that I just can not think about right now.

I have a feeling calling me into the uncomfort of our broken school. I have a calling to be the light for the kids in the darkness of Cave Springs walls. I am being called to just love the people around me who aren't my brothers and sisters in Christ. I am also feeling called to better love/serve the brothers and sisters in Christ that I do have. I think that the break this year has taught me many things about myself, including that I am a very lazy person when it comes to getting off my butt, and loving kids. In short, in the months of school we have left, I'm going to be a person who goes out into the world, and MAKES things happen. No matter how long it takes me to actually get there. I don't make New Years Resolutions, but I promise you all that I am going to make something happen over the couse of the rest of this year. Belive me, you'll see it on here later.

That's all I have for you now. It's a little more than I usually write, but oh well. I need to get better at typing anyway.

Love you guys
TJ

New Years Eve

New Years Eve was a really fun night filled with a lot of things that I will probably forget about before my birthday this month. We had a lot of people up at my friend Kasey's house for a New Years Eve bonfire. We also did many things, like: Setting off fireworks, playing signs, and taking millions upon millions of pictures.

When I left my house, the first stop was Zack's for dinner. He had a lot of food as I pretty well expected him to, and there were a few kids there that ate a lot so it was okay. Another cool thing that happened is I met Zack's older brother Clay haha. We ate dinner at Zack's with a few other guys, and then we just chilled for a while and then went up to Kasey's for the bonfire

When we got to Kasey's there were already quite a few people there. A lot of people were gathered around the fire and a few others were inside doing who knows what haha. Nah, they were probably getting drinks or something. There were a lot of people that I hadn't seen since the day before Christmas so I hadn't really gotten to talk to them a lot before then. I loved that i got to see these people because I hate not being able to see the people that I usually don't hang out with a lot

When we started taking pictures, I asked my friend Tanveer to take one of me doing a back flip. That was a pretty sick looking pic. My friend Michael also got fireworks somehow, so he was letting them off, and it was the awesomest thing I have ever seen on New Years. Another thing that I liked doing was going inside to play signs with everyone who wanted to.

Signs was interesting haha. We had so many people that no one could remember anyone's sign, and then a footbball game came on, so no one could pay any attention to the game. It was really funny though, because there were a few people that could not get to hang of the game, and when they were in the middle they stayed in the middle for a while. That was really funny because that's a really fun and funny game to play.

I think that the funniest part of the night was when we all stopped to watch the Hangover in the middle of the night. the sad thing is a lot of people had to leave then, so we only had a few more people left over. It was still fun. We watched the whole movie, which is a very good thing because I rarely ever stay to watch the whole movie.

I am sort of excited for the school year to come back though. There are many things that I want to do before the end of the year, and I also have something I really want to do when we get back. There is a lot that I really want to do though. The school year is going to get better and better as it continues. The only sad thing I haven't been able to listen to a lot of music lately. That makes me sad. I love listening to music. I really wish that I could find my MP3, so I can listen to my music whenever I want.

Well, I don't wanna be on too long. I'll Edit this later. Love you guys :D Happy New Years

TJ