Castaway kid

Recently I read a book called Castaway kid, by R.B. Mitchell. This book is about a child who had many obstacles to overcome as he was growing up. This little boy’s story started at age three when his mother dropped him off at an orphanage. From that day forth he had to endure so much hurt and pain and because of it all he felt that he couldn’t trust or rely on many people.  Disappointment had become a norm in his life.

Throughout this story he had people come in and out of his life and promises were made that weren’t kept. He had a lot to prove to so many people but most importantly, to himself.

As he grew up he heard about God but was never truly trusted in him. He never understood how a God so powerful could let all these great opportunities go right out the window. He tried being the “perfect child” in effort to get someone to take him in, but for some reason everyone turned him away.

There was one constant person in his life, the caretaker, who had always been there from his very first day at the home. She had always told him bible stories as grew up and when he was a youth she try to instill God into his life. He tried living life his way but as time went by and nothing seemed to work out for him he decided to trust in the one person who had never let him down and took religion serious.

This child’s life was filled with hurt, pain, disappointment and confusion but through all of it he still proved to everyone who doubted him, including himself, that through God and trust in him you can overcome anything.

This story shows that believing and trusting fully in God is the only way. As the bible puts it, “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him” James 1:12. This story truly exemplifies this verse.

If you want to read a book that is inspirational you should really read this book.

Time For Some Fun =)

Billy and Bobby loved going on trips and they loved to travel to new places but they had the worst luck when it came to traveling. One thing that never seemed to fail when they went on these trips was that they would get lost. It didn’t matter if they had been there before they still seem to be able to get lost.

Well this one time they were so confident that they knew where they were going; I mean they had been there quite a few times before. Surprisingly enough they manage to make it there without getting lost and had a great time while they were there. It was a success, they finally accomplished their goal and they felt pretty well about that. Then came the drive home. They never had a problem when they ventured home, but see it was winter and winter always brings surprises. As they were driving home they hit a pothole and busted a tire. Billy called his mom and she sent his brother out, he then calls one of his friend’s who just happen to be a firefighter and he was on-call. So he came in his fire truck to change the tire. Not only did his come in the fire truck but he also had left the lights on. These two can never seem to catch a break.

What’s Your Favorite??

Do you ever have those days when all you want to do is listen to music? Do you have one or two songs that are your favorite?

Well I have this one song that has been stuck in my head for the past couple weeks and I just can’t seem to get it out. The song is called, “At Your Cross” by Worth Dying For.

This is a Christian rock song and I think it is a really catchy song. Here are the lyrics,

You took the weight

Of my sin and my failures on your shoulders

Now I’m redeemed,

Through your love that poured over and over

Chorus

And at Your cross

I fall face down at Your feet

I lay myself holding nothing back

Here in this time with You

Verse 2

You gave me life

Through Your cross

And I offer all of my soul

Now I am free

Through Your love, that poured over

Death is over

Bridge

If my lungs can’t sing

I’ll sing with my heart

With my soul

With my mind, yeah

I’ll sing it for you

I fall face down

To show my love

I fall face down

Lord, make me new again

Lord, make me new again

Lord, make me new again

Lord, I am new again

Everyone has that one song that’s their favorite or that they just can’t seem to get out of their heads. Good thing music tends makes everything better and people’s moods tend to be lifted up when they listen to music.

When I’m in a bad mood I usually to listen to must and when I’m in the car I tend to play it a little louder. Mostly, just because I can and its fun.

So what’s is your favorite song? Or what’s a song that’s been stuck in you head for a while?

Do you like the soft and mellow music or the fast and hard or maybe even something in between…

Easter Time!!

Who doesn’t love Easter? A lot of free candy and not to mention the Easter Egg Hunts with not only more candy but also money! How much better can it get?

You get Easter baskets full of cool little toys and stuffed animals. It a great holiday, isn’t it?

If this is all Easter is about then what happen to the meaning behind it? Its great getting all these things and hanging out with family members that we haven’t seen in a while but isn’t there more to this holiday then just these things?

People tend to forget the real reason Easter is celebrated. It wasn’t for the sugar rush or the money. It was in remembrance of our Lord who rose from the grave so that we may live.

Easter was a holiday for Christians to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This was always on the Sunday that followed Good Friday, the same as it is today. This day was suppose to be a day to remember what the Saver had done for his people but it’s turned into the total opposite.

Society has “Americanized” this holiday and put human desires as the main focal point, instead of Jesus. The American culture tends to take something that is sacred and turn it  into a “party” which isn’t a bad thing until the real meaning is completely thrown out the window.

So this Easter as we are with our families and friends celebrating with all the great Easter traditions that we grew up with, don’t forget the real reason behind Easter.

Also, Happy Easter!!

Encouragement

This semester is coming to an end and many people are running low on energy. It’s getting harder and harder to finish their work and none-the-less just simply get it on time. Here are some encouraging bible verses and quotes for us all  as we finish up these few last weeks of classes.

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:29-31

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians  4:13

“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.  Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.  Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:7-9

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.” Jeremiah 29:11-14

So as you goes through these weeks and finish up your classes, rely on encouraging verses as these to get help you finish this semester. Also, don’t forget to have so fun through these “stressful weeks!”

The Shack

Have you ever wondered what God would look like? Do you have the image in your head? 

Now, have you read the book “The Shack” yet? If not, you should.

This book is about a man’s journey and his struggle with the loss of his daughter. The main character has a lot to learn as he struggles to deal with the guilt he has placed upon himself.

Mack the main character, is having a hard time coming to terms of his daughter’s disappearance or death. A few years after the incident Mack gets a strange letter in the mail that tells him to go to a place he hasn’t been in a while. After struggling with whether or not to go, he ends up going to the place that this letter tells him to go. He does’t know what to expect and therefore brings with him many things including guns for protection.

Mack goes up to the shack not knowing what to expect or how to feel. When he arrives his life is completely changed because what he sees is something that he would have never expected. He gets to met God and go on an amazing journey to find answers about his daughter.

In this book God isn’t your normal “face” of God. He is the furthest image of what anyone would image God to be. In “The Shack” God is a bigger black lady. This book shows that God can come in any form he wants and it is how we would lease expect him to be.

People have their own image that they believe God looks like but no one on earth knows for sure. Anyone can say he looks like this, or that but it is never for certain.

“The Shack” does a real good job showing that through all the spiritual figures because they all have different characteristics then we as humans have put upon them.

Their actions aren’t what Mack believed they would be and throughout this story Mack’s beliefs have changed and grown because of it.

Mack’s attitude and beliefs have changed because of a weekend with God.

So if you haven’t read this book yet, you should because it will change the way you view certain things as well.

Is Your Heart In It?

This generation as a whole has lost the meaning behind servant hood. The trends are followed but the deep meaning behind it is no longer there.

Previously, at a meeting the topic of helping the homeless was brought up. They were getting ready to do a service project in which they go out and help the community. The majority of the group agreed on the feed the homeless but there was some who weren’t putting those less fortunate before themselves.

Some people these days want to make their selves look better rather then doing something from their heart. They just want people to think that they are such a good person. It’s all about being better then the person before you but that’s not what God has called his people to do.

God say, “If there is a poor man among you, one of your brothers, in any of the towns of the land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart, nor close your hand to your poor brother; but you shall freely open your hand to him, and generously lend him sufficient for his need in whatever he lacks” (Duet. 15:7).

He says, “Freely open your hands.” He doesn’t want it to be for show he wants those who are truly committed to him to give generously to those who are in need and not worry about being better then the person next to them.

God says to love as he loved you and God loves those who are poor in earthly possessions. The book of James says, “Did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?”-

So if God calls us as his children to take care of those less fortunate why do we take something so important and make it about us?

 

 

Coffee Please??

There are so many great Starbucks drinks out there. Wouldn’t you agree?

Starbucks is one of the largest chains of coffee producer with the most choice of drinks.

They are known for many of their drinks. Some of those drinks are:

1. Raspberry Passion Tea Lemonade
2. Caffe Vanilla Frappuccino
3. Captain Crunch Frappuccino
4. Caramel Mocha Frappuccino
5. Caramel Macchiato

Raspberry Passion Tea Lemonade- This drink is great for those who aren’t a fan of coffee. It is a sweet but reasonable tea drink. Raspberry Passion Tea Lemonade is great for a nice summer day. Maybe at day at the park?

Caffe Vanilla Frappuccino- This drink is Creamy and sweet. It also is great for the summer time. It has more of a walk around the lake feel to it or may you would get one of these after the movies. It’s up to you.

Captain Crunch Frappuccino- Just in its name sounds like a GREAT drink. Wouldn’t you agree?? Although it may remind you of the Captain Crunch cereal but no cereal is found in this drink. Promise!

Caramel Mocha- This drink is a real sweet tasting drink. It a chocolate based drink on top of caramel. So needless to say this drink is a great choice and very, very sweet. It also comes in white mocha (which is white chocolate).

Caramel Macchiato- This drink is also sweet but is more coffee based compared to the Caramel Mocha. It has a strong coffee taste but the caramel helps tame that down. This is a great drink for those who are coffee lovers.

If Our God Is For Us

This past week Chris Tomlin was in Lakeland!

Chris Tomlin preformed at the Amphitheater this past Saturday.

Chris Tomlin along with Louie Giglio had a great performance on saturday night. Their 19th stop on the tour “If Our God Is For Us” was such an amazing show.

The Rend Collective Experiment was the opening band for Chris Tomlin. They are a all worship band from Ireland with a different style when it comes to preforming music. They use instruments from drums and guitars to xylophones and garbage cans. They also had really good lyrics and meanings behind the lyrics. One of their songs, “You Bled” has great meaning and is inspired by the song “Jesus Loves  Me.”

Here are the lyrics:

You bled your heart out
Now I feel love beat in my chest
How wonderful
You gave your beauty
In exchange for my ugliness
How wonderful

You left your perfection
And embraced our rejection

How marvellous, how boundless
Is Your love, is Your love
How wonderful, sacrificial
Is Your love for me

You put on our chains
Sent us out through the open door
How wonderful
You took our sadness
Crowned us with joy and real peace
How wonderful

You left Your perfection
And fought for our redemption

Yes Jesus loves me
Yes Jesus loves me
How wonderful
Yes Jesus loves me
This is love
You gave Yourself

Chris Tomlin’s performance continued amplified this great concert. As soon as he came on stage and started he his show the atmosphere of the crowd changed. Just to see the crowd in a worshipping mood was such a great feeling and experience.

This Concert was a great worshipping experience and the performers were having a great time. Just to look around and see all the people in the auditorium worshipping so freely was a great opportunity.

“Forgiveness is Easier Said Then Done”

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. (Matt. 6:14-15).

Christians are called to be “Christ like,” to live a life that is pleasing to God.

To live a life that is “Christ like” means that we must love our enemies, help those who are less fortunate then you, forgive those who have hurt us, and much more. As humans we struggle with these aspects and we also fail to achieve them, but that’s what makes us human.

To forgive, and not only say it but truly mean it is one difficult task.

When people forgive someone they still acknowledge that the person has done something wrong or hurtful and because of that they find it hard to truly forgive them.

When someone forgives someone else it means that they are letting go of hurt, pain, revenge, and bitterness towards a person. To forgive as a Christian means to let go of all of that and give it to God.

We are Called to forgive because God first forgave us. A parable in Matthew puts it as this,

Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to.  Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’  In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.” (Matthew 18:32-35)

To forgive someone who has done wrong to you is never easy but if God can forgive us every time we fall short, then why do we do we have such a hard time forgiving others?