Peace

God has been speaking to me the past two weeks. Not only have I had a constant peace about things in life, I am genuinely happy. I feel compassion, I feel love, and I feel patience.

Yesterday on my way to the gym I heard 1 of my favorite worship songs, "Praise you in this Storm" by Casting Crowns. On my way home from the gym I heard my 2nd favorite, "Love Song for a Savior" by Jars of Clay. The previous night I had the song stuck in my head from church..strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord..I heard that on the way from my house to work. It was one of those moments where I just needed to praise God then and there.

Last night I had a 'raw' moment with God. It was one of those moments that I felt all the burdens I have been carrying lifted off my shoulders. I wept in praise.

I am so excited for the things God is doing in my heart, and also what He is providing for my heart! :)

Diligence = Deliverance

This semester our Young Life team focused on a devotional that discussed the importance of diligence in our lives. As a personal goal I wanted to be more obiedient to God. In doing so I've experienced Satan's attack.

Last Wednesday I heard Jeff Schwartzentraub give a message on Getting through the Wilderness. I went to church that night with a full obiedient heart, not searching for what I would get out of my experience. But the result has changed my heart. I was able to release a burden I have been carrying all of my life. My efforts have been rewarded with peace.

Battlefield..

Last night I started reading this book about the battlefields of our minds. I only read the first chapter because I like to absorb and work through each subject.

As a remember before my Christian days the ideas of Satan and God seemed very cartoonish to me. You know, the good angel bad devil stuff. Like the ideas were aparations floating above me, not real figures in today's world. Even as I read last night I struggled with the idea of presenting Satan and God to a non-Christian. How can I describe the evils of Satan without sounding either 'looney' or 'churchy'.

Today I am under great attack. I believe it's because I'm starting from square one to get rid of the 'strongholds' that I have had in my mind from years ago that lead me to feel the way I do now. Every minute goes by and something new is going on about how I feel. I don't feel content. I see glimpses of a peaceful mind. Today is definately a day that I should have taken a personal day.

PS: Doesn't help that work is pretty slow!

"When you have nothing, it's THEN you begin to start living." -The Ultimate Gift

How true.

Movie Review: "The Ultimate Gift"

I'm typically not the person who does reviews on movies or music, but after watching "The Ultimate Gift" I had to do something that spread the word about this great movie.

The main character goes through some huge challenges in order to receive this gift from his dead grandfather. As materialistic as this man is, he is intrigued by the anonymity of the gift. Throughout the movie he faces realizations that I believe every one of us should analyze on a daily basis.

After the movie was over I was looking at my life and realizing all of the gifts God has blessed me with. Sometimes we get so caught up in the materialisim of life. I highly recommend this movie to everyone, especially youth ministry leaders.