I went to my first ever Good Friday church service today, because I've never been to one and I really wanted to go. Simple enough right? Anyway, I had to show up late because I had to spend a lot of time looking for a ride to it, but when I finally got there I walked in and the first thing that I noticed was different from any regular church service was that all the clergy people were wearing black robes with a blue sash thing, rather than the white robe and the other sash thing. I assumed this was because it is to remember that Good Friday is the day that Jesus died on the cross.
Anyway, I'm in the room, on of the only teenage people in there, so I feel kind of alone, but I know that my friends are being great lights to the people in Costa Rica right now. The lights are dim and everything is a real serious tone. The big cross in the front of the sanctuary is covered in a black blanket, or table cloth thing. The table which usually holds the wafers and wine/grapejuice for communion, also is covered by a black veil. The other two crosses are covered in black. We were reading from the Bible and the Scripture was about the death that Jesus was going to have to bear. I can't remember which book, or what chapters, but from the words that were used, I would guess it was Isaiah.
A man who was also dressed in a black robe, but had no sash started to speak about the things that the Roman soldiers did to Jesus, before they crucified Him. He went into extreme detail on how they just beat him, before they even thought of laying the crown of thorns on Jesus's head. He talked about how they punched Him, kicked Him, slapped Him, and so many other things just before they began to do the real bad stuff. They whipped Him, and then they put the crown of thorns on His head and then a purple robe, and flogged him, tearing the skin. The speaker goes into incredible detail as to how the Romans didn't even stop to think about it before they told Pilate that they wanted Him crucified. Using the Bible, in John where it says Pilate tells the soldiers that they should just do it themselves, since Jesus has done nothing wrong. Pilate takes Jesus back and tells Him that they want Him dead, and that he has the power to release Him, or have Him crucified. Jesus told him "You have no authority except for which was given to him from above."
After the speaker was done talking about the death of Jesus, Todd came in and told us a story of how he no longer owed the IRS anything. He told us to get the index cards we were given and write to the enemy about how he no longer has the authority over our lives, and how we owe him nothing. We then got in a line, and nailed this card to a cross, that was laying down in front of the sanctuary. After the worship time ended, the same man that talked for 20 minutes on the torture, and death of Jesus came out, and carried the cross, like Jesus would have, out of sight. A spotlight shines on the crown of thorns that is sitting on top of the table that communion normally sits on. Repeatedly, you hear "May the Son of God take reward for what He's done" or something like that.
This day, 2000 years ago, Jesus Christ was crucified on the cross for us. Christ was the blameless, perfect, all knowing Son of God. He knew, that quite like Todd's IRS bills, that there was a price to be paid, and He knew full well that we could not pay that price. Knowing this, God sent down Jesus, because the only way that we might be able to have a good relationship with the Father who created us, Jesus would have to die, so that the wall of sin that separates us from God, can be torn down, and then we have the ability to turn to God, and tell him that we know that we have messed up, but we are going to stop living for sin, and start living for the glory of Him. We no longer have to die. Jesus didn't come to condemn the world, but to save the world. (John 3:17) As Romans 6:23 says, "For the wages of sin is death..." and we, as humans, have really messed up, and we have been sinning, and will continue to sin, and we now have to die for this, "...but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" This means that since God sent His Son to die for us, that we no longer have to die because the price, which was death, has been paid. By the one man who didn't have to pay that debt.
I don't know about you guys, but I am thankful that I no longer have to banished from my Father, and that now I can have a full relationship with the God who loves me, and knows me by name, and loved me, even as He was forming me in my mothers womb.
This post was to get the extreme feeling I have from the service out, since I was really moved, because I have never seen a service quite like this.
If you read this, please pray that my friends in Costa Rica are doing the best things they can for the Lord. Ministering to the people there. With love. Pray that they would do God's will, no matter the risk.
I love you guys.
TJ
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Nothing left to lose
I've had a lot of good talks ever since I've started walking with Christ, but not many go down as one of the best talks I've ever had with a person. One great thing, one of those talks happened last night after WyldLife. This is why I love YoungLife and all things related to it, you become so close to the people you go through life with every day.
On Sunday, I was hanging out with the guys from PH that I know, and love with all my heart, and my friend Garrett gave me a ride home. We got to talk about a lot of good things there, and we asked each other how we could pray for one-another. This is one thing I love, because if you can do that with someone, you know that you have a good friend. He's had a few troubles, as have I, and we got to talk about how we've been doing last night.
He told me that he's been a lot better, and that made me happy, because I knew that God would do that for Garrett. Because God really loves Garrett. He told me about his friend, Mitch who got to hang out with Josh Goodman at a UVA Lacrosse game, and at that very game, Mitch prayed with Goody, and accepted Christ. This was the best news that I could hear, because I knew that one of my friends, if it be God's will, probably will accept Christ before Summer Camp this year. If not, then at Summer Camp.
I've seen such bright lights come out of my brothers and sisters recently, and that is probably one of the best things to see, since I know I haven't been at 100% with everything. Garret has been one of the best brothers recently, since we both know how important the fellowshp with the people we go through life with is. It's probably the most important thing, considering in Scripture, it even says the greatest commandment that Jesus gave to us is to love one-another as He loved us. The best way to show a brother or sister that you really love them is to be ask constantly how they can be prayed for, and how they're doing. I do a horrible job of this, and I really don't think it's okay. In fact, I know it's not okay
One of the things I've seen myself doing a lot of this year is letting sports keep control of my life. Football was no exception, though it was a little easier since that sport has a lot that helps me with my faith every day. For right now, it's soccer. I've started to let my soccer get in the way of getting into God's word, and letti ng myself become just a part of the crowd, even though Romans 12:2 says "Do not comform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test what God's will is. His good, pleasing and perfect will." I need to really get on myself a lot each day, because I know that I tend to let myself, using one of my coaches favorite terms, "playing the other's game." I tend to let myself play my life the same way everyone else does. Trying to beat them at their own game. I really need to stop that, because not only does it not work in Soccer, Fooball, or any other sport for that matter, but it really doesn't work in the game of life.
This doesn't work in the game of life, because, as Matthew 28:19 says "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in that name of the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit." Well, in order to do things like this when we need to, or when the people who don't know the Lord need us, we need to stop playing everyone else's game of life, and start playing our own. God's Game Plan for our lives is the one that is going to make people jump for joy at the sound of His name. Nothing we can do on our own power is enough to get people excited to hear about the Lord, but when we are working for Him, and not trying to do things on our own power, we can do anything, because as Philippians 4:13 says, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." This verse says a lot about letting God do the work through you, since it also says that nothing we can do will ever be able to do is anything compared to what God can do for us.
"I've seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn't ever end
Even when the sky is falling
And I've seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That's what faith can do"
These lyrics are just a few of the things that can happen when you put all of your faith in the God that created you, and has loved you, even before there was time. The best part is, I can take this chorus literally, because I have seen dreams move mountains, hope that doesn't end, miracles, just happen, and silent prayers getting answered, and broken hearts, even those of the hard-hearted non Christians, become brand new Creations in Christ. As 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old is gone, and the new is here!" There are just so many great things that come because of Christ. I am just very excited, for my friend, Alex (Zabo for those who don't know him by first name), for my friend Garrrett, for all my brothers going to Costa Rica on the mission trip, and for those who are chasing after the broken kids in their schools.
This is going to be a great break, I hopw you all have a great time, and to my friends headed for Costa Rica today. Be a light to them brothers and sisters!
Love you guys
TJ
On Sunday, I was hanging out with the guys from PH that I know, and love with all my heart, and my friend Garrett gave me a ride home. We got to talk about a lot of good things there, and we asked each other how we could pray for one-another. This is one thing I love, because if you can do that with someone, you know that you have a good friend. He's had a few troubles, as have I, and we got to talk about how we've been doing last night.
He told me that he's been a lot better, and that made me happy, because I knew that God would do that for Garrett. Because God really loves Garrett. He told me about his friend, Mitch who got to hang out with Josh Goodman at a UVA Lacrosse game, and at that very game, Mitch prayed with Goody, and accepted Christ. This was the best news that I could hear, because I knew that one of my friends, if it be God's will, probably will accept Christ before Summer Camp this year. If not, then at Summer Camp.
I've seen such bright lights come out of my brothers and sisters recently, and that is probably one of the best things to see, since I know I haven't been at 100% with everything. Garret has been one of the best brothers recently, since we both know how important the fellowshp with the people we go through life with is. It's probably the most important thing, considering in Scripture, it even says the greatest commandment that Jesus gave to us is to love one-another as He loved us. The best way to show a brother or sister that you really love them is to be ask constantly how they can be prayed for, and how they're doing. I do a horrible job of this, and I really don't think it's okay. In fact, I know it's not okay
One of the things I've seen myself doing a lot of this year is letting sports keep control of my life. Football was no exception, though it was a little easier since that sport has a lot that helps me with my faith every day. For right now, it's soccer. I've started to let my soccer get in the way of getting into God's word, and letti ng myself become just a part of the crowd, even though Romans 12:2 says "Do not comform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test what God's will is. His good, pleasing and perfect will." I need to really get on myself a lot each day, because I know that I tend to let myself, using one of my coaches favorite terms, "playing the other's game." I tend to let myself play my life the same way everyone else does. Trying to beat them at their own game. I really need to stop that, because not only does it not work in Soccer, Fooball, or any other sport for that matter, but it really doesn't work in the game of life.
This doesn't work in the game of life, because, as Matthew 28:19 says "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in that name of the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit." Well, in order to do things like this when we need to, or when the people who don't know the Lord need us, we need to stop playing everyone else's game of life, and start playing our own. God's Game Plan for our lives is the one that is going to make people jump for joy at the sound of His name. Nothing we can do on our own power is enough to get people excited to hear about the Lord, but when we are working for Him, and not trying to do things on our own power, we can do anything, because as Philippians 4:13 says, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." This verse says a lot about letting God do the work through you, since it also says that nothing we can do will ever be able to do is anything compared to what God can do for us.
"I've seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn't ever end
Even when the sky is falling
And I've seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That's what faith can do"
These lyrics are just a few of the things that can happen when you put all of your faith in the God that created you, and has loved you, even before there was time. The best part is, I can take this chorus literally, because I have seen dreams move mountains, hope that doesn't end, miracles, just happen, and silent prayers getting answered, and broken hearts, even those of the hard-hearted non Christians, become brand new Creations in Christ. As 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old is gone, and the new is here!" There are just so many great things that come because of Christ. I am just very excited, for my friend, Alex (Zabo for those who don't know him by first name), for my friend Garrrett, for all my brothers going to Costa Rica on the mission trip, and for those who are chasing after the broken kids in their schools.
This is going to be a great break, I hopw you all have a great time, and to my friends headed for Costa Rica today. Be a light to them brothers and sisters!
Love you guys
TJ
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
What a glorious day!
Last week, after YoungLife, I saw my friend Alex at Bojangles. He told me that he was thinking about going to YoungLife one week. I invited him to pick me up, and he could come to ours, even though he goes to Hidden Valley. This was the beginning of a pretty good time
Yesterday, Alex picks me up so I could get him to YoungLife, and he goes and has a pretty good time listening to the things that we were doing, and just being there. I think that there was no better time for him to come. It was such a funny day, with the kids who were really bad at singing just being themselves and letting loose. The best part comes later though.
I was already very excited for today, since Alex doesn't know Christ, and there he was, sitting in the room, listening intently to Lauren talking, telling us a little about her life. I was overcome with joy when I saw this happening, because I knew that he was hearing the message of Christ. Hearing the good news of the Gospel. It's such an amazing time when someone you know is hearing the most important news they could ever hear. It's very exhilerating to see kids who don't know the Lord getting to hear the story of how much He really loves them.
Afterwards at Bojangles, I was talking to Alex, and the first words he says to me are "Her story really touched me". This was a very exciting thing to hear, because only a year ago, I was sitting in Zack's car, saying pretty much the same thing. It was a great thing to be able to talk to him, and I sure hope that as he continues to go to YL, that he keeps hearing these talks that really relate to his life, like I did, because I know that when the Lord starts really talking to him that he will not be able to resist the love that is being given to him. My only prayer is that I would be diligent in loving him as a brother, and just being a light that will show him out the bondage that he is in.
I know we've all been there before, and when we get to have these experiences, it is the most exciting time of our lives. I hope that the people that are on your hearts right now, that their hearts would be softened to the Lord, and that they too would meet them. It really makes fora good year when your friends are giving their lives to the One who laid His own life down for us.
I love you guys.
TJ
Yesterday, Alex picks me up so I could get him to YoungLife, and he goes and has a pretty good time listening to the things that we were doing, and just being there. I think that there was no better time for him to come. It was such a funny day, with the kids who were really bad at singing just being themselves and letting loose. The best part comes later though.
I was already very excited for today, since Alex doesn't know Christ, and there he was, sitting in the room, listening intently to Lauren talking, telling us a little about her life. I was overcome with joy when I saw this happening, because I knew that he was hearing the message of Christ. Hearing the good news of the Gospel. It's such an amazing time when someone you know is hearing the most important news they could ever hear. It's very exhilerating to see kids who don't know the Lord getting to hear the story of how much He really loves them.
Afterwards at Bojangles, I was talking to Alex, and the first words he says to me are "Her story really touched me". This was a very exciting thing to hear, because only a year ago, I was sitting in Zack's car, saying pretty much the same thing. It was a great thing to be able to talk to him, and I sure hope that as he continues to go to YL, that he keeps hearing these talks that really relate to his life, like I did, because I know that when the Lord starts really talking to him that he will not be able to resist the love that is being given to him. My only prayer is that I would be diligent in loving him as a brother, and just being a light that will show him out the bondage that he is in.
I know we've all been there before, and when we get to have these experiences, it is the most exciting time of our lives. I hope that the people that are on your hearts right now, that their hearts would be softened to the Lord, and that they too would meet them. It really makes fora good year when your friends are giving their lives to the One who laid His own life down for us.
I love you guys.
TJ
Monday, April 11, 2011
You Never Let Go
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
Your perfect love is casting out fear
And even when I’m caught in the middle of the storms of this life
I won’t turn back
I know You are near
And I will fear no evil
For my God is with me
And if my God is with me
Whom then shall I fear?
Whom then shall I fear?
Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of me
And I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
A glorious light beyond all compare
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
We’ll live to know You here on the earth
Yes, I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
Still I will praise You, still I will praise You
I heard this song for the first time when I went to youth with a few friends on Friday night. We were in the sanctuary I guess since I'm not very familiar with that church yet, and we were just worshipping. This song came on, and it really touched my heart.
I guess the biggest reason it touched my heart was because even though I was in a place to where I knew less than half of the people there for more than a couple hours, God's hands were still holding me, molding me into the man He wants me to be. One thing that I can tell you, God's presence in that room was undeniable.
That's the other reason I felt so touched by that song, because even when we can't tell that He is there with us, He is holding us in His hands. So, by feeling His presence moving through that room as if He were literally flesh again, walking there with us, there was no doubt in my mind that I was being held.
One great thing was that not only did I know God was there, the people I met there will definitely become some of my best friends in my walk with Christ. All the new brothers I gained on Friday are going to be some great blessings. There are just so many people that these guys are going to touch as they go throughout their schools. I can not wait to go through life with these great guys.
That's all for right now. Hope you guys have a great day, and I hope God blesses you all greatly
Love
TJ
Your perfect love is casting out fear
And even when I’m caught in the middle of the storms of this life
I won’t turn back
I know You are near
And I will fear no evil
For my God is with me
And if my God is with me
Whom then shall I fear?
Whom then shall I fear?
Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of me
And I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
A glorious light beyond all compare
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
We’ll live to know You here on the earth
Yes, I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
Still I will praise You, still I will praise You
I heard this song for the first time when I went to youth with a few friends on Friday night. We were in the sanctuary I guess since I'm not very familiar with that church yet, and we were just worshipping. This song came on, and it really touched my heart.
I guess the biggest reason it touched my heart was because even though I was in a place to where I knew less than half of the people there for more than a couple hours, God's hands were still holding me, molding me into the man He wants me to be. One thing that I can tell you, God's presence in that room was undeniable.
That's the other reason I felt so touched by that song, because even when we can't tell that He is there with us, He is holding us in His hands. So, by feeling His presence moving through that room as if He were literally flesh again, walking there with us, there was no doubt in my mind that I was being held.
One great thing was that not only did I know God was there, the people I met there will definitely become some of my best friends in my walk with Christ. All the new brothers I gained on Friday are going to be some great blessings. There are just so many people that these guys are going to touch as they go throughout their schools. I can not wait to go through life with these great guys.
That's all for right now. Hope you guys have a great day, and I hope God blesses you all greatly
Love
TJ
Friday, April 8, 2011
How deep
How deep the Father's love for us.
How vast beyond all measure.
That He should give His only Son.
To make a wretch His treasure.
How great the pain of searing loss.
The Father turns His face away.
As wounds which mar the Choses One
Bring many sons to glory.
Behold the man upon the cross
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice.
Call out among the scoffers
It was my sin that held Him there.
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brough me life.
I know that it is finished.
I will not boast in anything.
No gifts, no power, no wisdom./
But I will boast in Jesus Christ.
His death and Ressurection.
Why should I gain from His reward?
I can not give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom.
How deep is this love. I think this song really speaks a lot on Jesus's love for us. There are few more things that can tell us just how deep the Father's love really is. This is the greatest act of love, and I feel as if I am coming back into realizing this, just simply because of this song.
Music is one of many ways you can really learn about the Father's love. For some people, it works better than going to church and hearing the sermon, or going to YoungLife and hearing the talks, or having a bile study. For others, all those other things are the only ways they can really hear the message of Christ. In other ways they can talk to their friends.
That's all for now
Love you
TJ
How vast beyond all measure.
That He should give His only Son.
To make a wretch His treasure.
How great the pain of searing loss.
The Father turns His face away.
As wounds which mar the Choses One
Bring many sons to glory.
Behold the man upon the cross
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice.
Call out among the scoffers
It was my sin that held Him there.
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brough me life.
I know that it is finished.
I will not boast in anything.
No gifts, no power, no wisdom./
But I will boast in Jesus Christ.
His death and Ressurection.
Why should I gain from His reward?
I can not give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom.
How deep is this love. I think this song really speaks a lot on Jesus's love for us. There are few more things that can tell us just how deep the Father's love really is. This is the greatest act of love, and I feel as if I am coming back into realizing this, just simply because of this song.
Music is one of many ways you can really learn about the Father's love. For some people, it works better than going to church and hearing the sermon, or going to YoungLife and hearing the talks, or having a bile study. For others, all those other things are the only ways they can really hear the message of Christ. In other ways they can talk to their friends.
That's all for now
Love you
TJ
Monday, April 4, 2011
An interesting subject.
Yesterday, while having fellowship with a few guys from other schools, the subject of Tribulation and Rapture came up. I didn't know what either one of these things meant, and I became very interested in learning as much as I could about these two things.
I learned that tribulation is a time of literal hell on earth for lack of a better way to say it. It is said that tribulation will be when the Anti-Christ comes and tries to basically kill us all. Another thing I read though, says that it is God's wrath, going down on all non-believers. I'm not sure which one of these is actually right, but I think that they are both good ideas. Tribulation can be seen as 2 different things if you're a non-believer. It could be a last chance to realize you need Christ. It could also just be being sent down to the fire. If you're a true believer in Christ, you will be saved by your faith.
The Rapture is basically the second coming of Jesus. It says in the Bible somewhere that all the believers will meet Jesus in the air, and be taken out of the Earth while tribulation happens. The Rapture also has different theories on it. One theory is that Jesus will take us out before tribulation or basically pretribulation Rapture. The second theory is that it will happen in the middle, or around the 4.5 year mark. Midtribulation. The last major theory is that all believers will go through tribulation along with all of the people who don't believe, and afterwards will they be brought up by Jesus, or post-tribulation.
I've been thinking about this subject all day, and I can't seem to get it off of my mind. It probably isn't the best subject to get my mind caught on, but I just get so interested in things like this, because it's still very, very important. It may be in Revelation, but Revelation is just as much part of the Bible as the other 65 books are.
I don't have a lot to say about this, I want to know what your thoughts on it are. If anything I said isn't correct, or accurate, please tell me
Love you guys.
TJ
I learned that tribulation is a time of literal hell on earth for lack of a better way to say it. It is said that tribulation will be when the Anti-Christ comes and tries to basically kill us all. Another thing I read though, says that it is God's wrath, going down on all non-believers. I'm not sure which one of these is actually right, but I think that they are both good ideas. Tribulation can be seen as 2 different things if you're a non-believer. It could be a last chance to realize you need Christ. It could also just be being sent down to the fire. If you're a true believer in Christ, you will be saved by your faith.
The Rapture is basically the second coming of Jesus. It says in the Bible somewhere that all the believers will meet Jesus in the air, and be taken out of the Earth while tribulation happens. The Rapture also has different theories on it. One theory is that Jesus will take us out before tribulation or basically pretribulation Rapture. The second theory is that it will happen in the middle, or around the 4.5 year mark. Midtribulation. The last major theory is that all believers will go through tribulation along with all of the people who don't believe, and afterwards will they be brought up by Jesus, or post-tribulation.
I've been thinking about this subject all day, and I can't seem to get it off of my mind. It probably isn't the best subject to get my mind caught on, but I just get so interested in things like this, because it's still very, very important. It may be in Revelation, but Revelation is just as much part of the Bible as the other 65 books are.
I don't have a lot to say about this, I want to know what your thoughts on it are. If anything I said isn't correct, or accurate, please tell me
Love you guys.
TJ
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