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