We all know that when the New Year's time comes around every year, the facebook statuses, or the people you hang with are all about the new beginnings. I've seen many of these statuses today alone, and it got me thinking; How awesome is our God, that we can have a new beginning every single day. Because He loves us so much, and because Jesus was sent to die on the cross, our sins are forgiven, not once, but every single day. All we have to do is own that. How easy is that! I don't know about you guys, but I'm glad I don't have to wait for New Year's to be able to have a new beginning, because the Lord has forgiven me every single day, and I have a new beginning at the beginning of each day.
It doesn't matter what you do either. Just like at the beginning of the New Year, when you're saying that you have a clean slate, and everything you could possibly have done will no longer matter, it just goes away. The same can be said about those very things every day. It doesn't matter to God what you've done with yourself. He still loves you too much to let you walk in those sins, and He has made a way for you to be forgiven, and all you have to do is own it. Does it make sense to only think you have a clean slate on January 1st of every year? I think I would rather have the freedom of knowing that it doesn't matter what time of year it is, I just love knowing that it doesn't matter, I am free from the bondage of sin, and I am forgiven, and given a clean slate every day.
Just something that was on my mind.
I love you guys.
TJ
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Friday, December 30, 2011
Praise You in this storm
Well, I'm not sure where it's going to take me but I might have another problem. The difference is, I don't have a worry in my mind that I will be kept safe. I've gone through this enough times, and been provided for enough times to know that no matter what the situation that I can go through, it doesn't really matter to me anymore. It never really mattered to God, and I know that no matter what situation that I can go through, God will not allow me to suffer too greatly. I know that by now I can handle anything that God throws at me because I know that when I get through this, I will have learned something even newer, and it will bring me closer to the Lord. I wish I had my Bible on hand with me because it makes for a great thing to do when I'm going through a rough time. Michael, wanna help me with that since it's at your house? Haha
Yeah this kind of stuff seems to happen to me a lot, but like I said, I am no longer worried about it because the Lord has delivered me through more powerful things than this, and I know that no matter what, He will not allow me to suffer too much, because I know that He is allowing this to happen to give me an even greater story to tell the people that I will minister to. Another reason I am not worrying about it this time is because I'm sick of worrying. I wanna go where the Lord is leading me, and no matter what, He will not lead me or forsake me. I am His beloved child, and there is nothing that anyone can say, do, or any other thing like that, that can change that. He loves me the same now as He did when I first started to believe.
Bottom line: Satan is trying to do these things to me, but I know that he does not have the authority to do these things. So basically he can get off my back, and go back into hell, because he will not, and does not have a victory. Good try Satan, but I will praise my Lord in whatever storm I am thrown. Nothing you can do will take away God from my heart. You have no legal right to put your demons in my soul, and my body will not be taken from God.
I love you guys.
TJ
"I lift my eyes into the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord.
The maker of heaven and earth"
Yeah this kind of stuff seems to happen to me a lot, but like I said, I am no longer worried about it because the Lord has delivered me through more powerful things than this, and I know that no matter what, He will not allow me to suffer too much, because I know that He is allowing this to happen to give me an even greater story to tell the people that I will minister to. Another reason I am not worrying about it this time is because I'm sick of worrying. I wanna go where the Lord is leading me, and no matter what, He will not lead me or forsake me. I am His beloved child, and there is nothing that anyone can say, do, or any other thing like that, that can change that. He loves me the same now as He did when I first started to believe.
Bottom line: Satan is trying to do these things to me, but I know that he does not have the authority to do these things. So basically he can get off my back, and go back into hell, because he will not, and does not have a victory. Good try Satan, but I will praise my Lord in whatever storm I am thrown. Nothing you can do will take away God from my heart. You have no legal right to put your demons in my soul, and my body will not be taken from God.
I love you guys.
TJ
"I lift my eyes into the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord.
The maker of heaven and earth"
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Forgotten God
I started reading Forgotten God by Francis Chan today. I'm rather excited since I've been waiting on this book since I read Crazy Love. I can't wait to see where it takes me because I know it's on a subject that I have a lot of interest in right now.
The beginning talks about how we in the western world have forgotten the Holy Spirit. A rather important part of the trinity. Jesus told us that when he went back up into heaven to be with the Father, He would leave us another Counselor. One that can do everything Jesus can do. He would also give us the power, and authority to do all that Jesus did do. This new Counselor is the Holy Spirit, and with Him, we would be able to do all of the miracles that we can read about in the Bible.
That's about all I've really gathered that isn't noticeable in Americanized Christianity.
With excitement and love
TJ
The beginning talks about how we in the western world have forgotten the Holy Spirit. A rather important part of the trinity. Jesus told us that when he went back up into heaven to be with the Father, He would leave us another Counselor. One that can do everything Jesus can do. He would also give us the power, and authority to do all that Jesus did do. This new Counselor is the Holy Spirit, and with Him, we would be able to do all of the miracles that we can read about in the Bible.
That's about all I've really gathered that isn't noticeable in Americanized Christianity.
With excitement and love
TJ
Merry CHRISTmas!
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
Luke 2:4-14 NIV
Have a merry Christmas.
Happy Birthday to my man Jesus!
Love y'all
TJ
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 NIV
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Where did it all go?
It feels like just a few weeks ago, I was moving into Cinnamon Ridge, starting my career at Cave Spring. Just after it feels like I started soccer, then moving to PH, and now it's Christmas, and my Junior year is half over.... Where is high school going?
I feel as if even though I've kept up with pretty much every major event that has happened in high school for me, it feels like time has flown faster than a speeding bullet. I honestly don't know where it went, and it's not coming back.
Makes me think of what I am going to do with my speedy time that I never seem to see go by. I want it to be for Christ, and luckily I have many friends who keep me from going too far off.
Just something on my mind
Tonight was good though, so at least I'm happy in my state of "where did it go?"
Love y'all
TJ
I feel as if even though I've kept up with pretty much every major event that has happened in high school for me, it feels like time has flown faster than a speeding bullet. I honestly don't know where it went, and it's not coming back.
Makes me think of what I am going to do with my speedy time that I never seem to see go by. I want it to be for Christ, and luckily I have many friends who keep me from going too far off.
Just something on my mind
Tonight was good though, so at least I'm happy in my state of "where did it go?"
Love y'all
TJ
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Great joy
Well, today might not have gone the way I planned it, but I can honestly say that I wouldn't have had it go any other way!
I started talking to my friend, and she was open with me, and told me the things that she's been going through. She told me things that were weighing her down in life, and that she wanted them to go away, and it gave me a picture of Christ working through her already. She said she is kind of new to this, and that she just wants to grow, and it made me think of how we are like children. Longing to learn more about the world. Like children, we long to know our God when we come into relationship with Him. She wants nothing more than to grow in her faith, and to come closer to Jesus. She is like a young child wanting to know more about the life she lives since she knows she will need help.
This just happened, and I can't help but find joy in this. This is why I want to lead Young Life. It brings me joy to see this happen in people's lives
Love you guys
TJ
I started talking to my friend, and she was open with me, and told me the things that she's been going through. She told me things that were weighing her down in life, and that she wanted them to go away, and it gave me a picture of Christ working through her already. She said she is kind of new to this, and that she just wants to grow, and it made me think of how we are like children. Longing to learn more about the world. Like children, we long to know our God when we come into relationship with Him. She wants nothing more than to grow in her faith, and to come closer to Jesus. She is like a young child wanting to know more about the life she lives since she knows she will need help.
This just happened, and I can't help but find joy in this. This is why I want to lead Young Life. It brings me joy to see this happen in people's lives
Love you guys
TJ
Friday, December 16, 2011
"The eyes are the gateway to the soul."
For about a year and a half now, I've taken to trying to see deeper into the people that I really care about. If I want to try and see how someone is really feeling, in the big picture, I can't just ask them sometimes. It's not that I don't trust them, it's just that, like reading a book can get you exactly what an author meant to say quicker than having someone tell you it, reading a person's eyes can get you their deep feelings, if you can connect to them.
I'm not sure how I got so good at reading people's eyes, but for some reason, whenever I have really looked deep into someone's eyes, I can see what their deepest feelings are, and maybe what they long for. I'm about 90% sure it might be God's gift to me, to see into the depths of a person's soul. I just know that I think I can make this work to an advantage if I use it properly. The way I run after kids in my high school, and maybe even the middle schoolers at Wyldlife, it would all change a bit. More understanding, cause I can get to the depths of someone's heart.
I've always believed that the eyes can't tell a lie when read properly. Of course, if you look at the eyes like a lock, there are always different difficulties to get to the soul. Some people are very vulnerable, and will let anyone who cares to look in. Maybe I always get those people, I don't know. There are also people who you really have to stare into their eyes for a while to see how to get in. Maybe even some who just made their soul nearly impenetrable.
In any case, once you're seeing the inside of the soul, through someone's eyes, you may be surprised at what you see. There are many people out there who will put on a mask over their face. If you try to read their facial expressions, you could get there, but I think when you have the ones who have mastered the trickery of the face, you can't tell what's really going on inside. You can't put a mask over the eyes. Sure, there are contacts that can change color, or even cover the color of your eyes, but I still don't think you can cover your eyes in such a way that you will hide your true feelings completely.
I can remember looking into the hazel eyes of a friend at camp after my Freshman year. All I could see was a longing to be loved. All she wanted was to know that she was deeply, undeniably loved by someone, or something. Her past was the reason, but I'm not about to tell her life's story from what I can remember of it on here for the whole world to see.
I can also remember a pair of deep blue eyes that couldn't tell a lie if they wanted to. This person wasn't closed off that much, but she too, longed to be loved. The only difference, she has/had a specific person in mind. This not only caused much pain to her, but it's continuing to cause pain, because it seems the harder she tries, the worse the situation gets. I wish there was something I could do to help her, but it seems that there isn't much of a chance of that happening. It seems that she is trying to take it on all by herself. I've tried to tell her that she doesn't gotta be alone with it, but I don't know if she wants help. That's the big issue, you have to WANT help, before you can receive help. I remember going over to her house, and trying to take her mind off of the pain, but it's consuming her heart. I admire her dedication, but she's letting the pain of not having that one person tear up her heart, which can, and probably will cause problems for her down the road.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On a side note, how often do we try this? Giving all of our hearts to something that doesn't love us back. How often are we hurt by this? Why can't we just believe that we were made for so much more than that one thing that is just causing us pain, and suffering? Why do we as people who have found that one thing that does really love us back, no matter the circumstance, sit back, and watch as our friends are giving their lives to those things that can't love them back, or at least not perfectly, and not through all the bad times, as well as the good ones? Why?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I also remember looking into the baby blue eyes of one of my good friends, and if I've ever had trouble unlocking the eyes, it's been with this person. Whether that reason is because of my own feelings, or because she's got those eyes that are hard to see into, I can't tell, I just know I had a challenge getting there. When I finally got in, I was both uplifted, and very excited. For once, I saw a person who had hope. I knew she did, but seeing it, and hearing it kind of give you that extra little kick that makes it definite. She knows where love is, and she's gone there. Many times. It wasn't too long before I saw these things that a great event took place, and I saw joy, but a knowledge in her heart that the joy from this event was easily topped. Topped not only by where she found her hope, but the simpler things that she and her friends did that had seemingly nothing to do with why they were together every day. She found a much larger joy in that. Even if you had never talked to this girl before, you could tell that she wasn't really looking to the gold and silver of the earth, but to her God, where she found her life, and her hope.
Yes, I know I only have a few girls to post about, but let's be honest, I haven't tried to crack the code to a guy's soul. This is something I want to try, because like I said earlier, I believe that if I can see into the heart of someone I wanna chase after, the way I love them could change. God would use this knowledge I gain in a way to help me go after him like I should.
Just something I thought about.
Love you guys,
TJ
I'm not sure how I got so good at reading people's eyes, but for some reason, whenever I have really looked deep into someone's eyes, I can see what their deepest feelings are, and maybe what they long for. I'm about 90% sure it might be God's gift to me, to see into the depths of a person's soul. I just know that I think I can make this work to an advantage if I use it properly. The way I run after kids in my high school, and maybe even the middle schoolers at Wyldlife, it would all change a bit. More understanding, cause I can get to the depths of someone's heart.
I've always believed that the eyes can't tell a lie when read properly. Of course, if you look at the eyes like a lock, there are always different difficulties to get to the soul. Some people are very vulnerable, and will let anyone who cares to look in. Maybe I always get those people, I don't know. There are also people who you really have to stare into their eyes for a while to see how to get in. Maybe even some who just made their soul nearly impenetrable.
In any case, once you're seeing the inside of the soul, through someone's eyes, you may be surprised at what you see. There are many people out there who will put on a mask over their face. If you try to read their facial expressions, you could get there, but I think when you have the ones who have mastered the trickery of the face, you can't tell what's really going on inside. You can't put a mask over the eyes. Sure, there are contacts that can change color, or even cover the color of your eyes, but I still don't think you can cover your eyes in such a way that you will hide your true feelings completely.
I can remember looking into the hazel eyes of a friend at camp after my Freshman year. All I could see was a longing to be loved. All she wanted was to know that she was deeply, undeniably loved by someone, or something. Her past was the reason, but I'm not about to tell her life's story from what I can remember of it on here for the whole world to see.
I can also remember a pair of deep blue eyes that couldn't tell a lie if they wanted to. This person wasn't closed off that much, but she too, longed to be loved. The only difference, she has/had a specific person in mind. This not only caused much pain to her, but it's continuing to cause pain, because it seems the harder she tries, the worse the situation gets. I wish there was something I could do to help her, but it seems that there isn't much of a chance of that happening. It seems that she is trying to take it on all by herself. I've tried to tell her that she doesn't gotta be alone with it, but I don't know if she wants help. That's the big issue, you have to WANT help, before you can receive help. I remember going over to her house, and trying to take her mind off of the pain, but it's consuming her heart. I admire her dedication, but she's letting the pain of not having that one person tear up her heart, which can, and probably will cause problems for her down the road.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On a side note, how often do we try this? Giving all of our hearts to something that doesn't love us back. How often are we hurt by this? Why can't we just believe that we were made for so much more than that one thing that is just causing us pain, and suffering? Why do we as people who have found that one thing that does really love us back, no matter the circumstance, sit back, and watch as our friends are giving their lives to those things that can't love them back, or at least not perfectly, and not through all the bad times, as well as the good ones? Why?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I also remember looking into the baby blue eyes of one of my good friends, and if I've ever had trouble unlocking the eyes, it's been with this person. Whether that reason is because of my own feelings, or because she's got those eyes that are hard to see into, I can't tell, I just know I had a challenge getting there. When I finally got in, I was both uplifted, and very excited. For once, I saw a person who had hope. I knew she did, but seeing it, and hearing it kind of give you that extra little kick that makes it definite. She knows where love is, and she's gone there. Many times. It wasn't too long before I saw these things that a great event took place, and I saw joy, but a knowledge in her heart that the joy from this event was easily topped. Topped not only by where she found her hope, but the simpler things that she and her friends did that had seemingly nothing to do with why they were together every day. She found a much larger joy in that. Even if you had never talked to this girl before, you could tell that she wasn't really looking to the gold and silver of the earth, but to her God, where she found her life, and her hope.
Yes, I know I only have a few girls to post about, but let's be honest, I haven't tried to crack the code to a guy's soul. This is something I want to try, because like I said earlier, I believe that if I can see into the heart of someone I wanna chase after, the way I love them could change. God would use this knowledge I gain in a way to help me go after him like I should.
Just something I thought about.
Love you guys,
TJ
Thursday, December 8, 2011
What's going to happen?
So, for those of you who don't know, I am moving away from PH. My dad and I are moving in with my friend, who lives on Bent Mountain. This does mean I am going back to Cave Spring, and I am overjoyed about that, but I have one question: Those kids who I've been running after the past few weeks, what's going to happen to them? I don't know who is going to look after them when I leave. Some of them don't have another kid chasing after them, loving on them. The ones that do I know are being left in good hands, but I have at least 1 who is going to have no one. I wanna know what's going to happen to him. I've watched 2 or 3 of the kids I've loved on come to Jesus, and I am overjoyed about that as well, but what about those who haven't?
I don't want to leave them with no one to run to. Especially since I know the Lord is working in them. I just want to know they'll be left in good hands. I never thought I'd say this, but I'm worried about leaving PH. I want nothing more than for those kids to hear the message, and be changed by His hands. My friend Christian will no longer have that kid who can get real with him about life, until God gives one to him. I want to make the best of what little time I have remaining with him. I just want to know that he is going to be left in the right place.
God changed my heart in the way that it doesn't matter where I am, there will always be people there who are broken, and need Christ. I have stopped caring about where I was, and realized that God doesn't care who it is, they need Him. I have realized that God wants me to stop being lukewarm about chasing kids, but being real. He used PH to make me go hard. It's hard to love kids here. I don't know why, but it is. God's strength that has made it possible for me to see people's lives change. Even those who we never thought would. My heart breaks for the kids that don't have Jesus, and the fact that they might not have someone to love on them, just breaks it even more! I am so desperate for these kids to hear His words. That's my biggest prayer, is that someone would look after those guys.
I will miss parts of Patrick Henry. I just know that I'm being called back to Cave Spring. I pray that God would keep the fire in me. Kids in Cave Spring are just as broken as in PH. I just want them to know who Jesus is. I want to give them an accurate picture of Jesus, and let them know how much He loves them.
PH made me a stronger Christian. Maybe this is something that will help with Work Crew?
I love you guys!
TJ
I don't want to leave them with no one to run to. Especially since I know the Lord is working in them. I just want to know they'll be left in good hands. I never thought I'd say this, but I'm worried about leaving PH. I want nothing more than for those kids to hear the message, and be changed by His hands. My friend Christian will no longer have that kid who can get real with him about life, until God gives one to him. I want to make the best of what little time I have remaining with him. I just want to know that he is going to be left in the right place.
God changed my heart in the way that it doesn't matter where I am, there will always be people there who are broken, and need Christ. I have stopped caring about where I was, and realized that God doesn't care who it is, they need Him. I have realized that God wants me to stop being lukewarm about chasing kids, but being real. He used PH to make me go hard. It's hard to love kids here. I don't know why, but it is. God's strength that has made it possible for me to see people's lives change. Even those who we never thought would. My heart breaks for the kids that don't have Jesus, and the fact that they might not have someone to love on them, just breaks it even more! I am so desperate for these kids to hear His words. That's my biggest prayer, is that someone would look after those guys.
I will miss parts of Patrick Henry. I just know that I'm being called back to Cave Spring. I pray that God would keep the fire in me. Kids in Cave Spring are just as broken as in PH. I just want them to know who Jesus is. I want to give them an accurate picture of Jesus, and let them know how much He loves them.
PH made me a stronger Christian. Maybe this is something that will help with Work Crew?
I love you guys!
TJ
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