Life Changing

After a awesome night of Vacation Bible School, I am reminded of of two things: 1.) That the love of Jesus covers all, despite social, economic, racial background. Second, 2.) That most of these kids have had a hard childhood, more than I can imagine and have ever experienced.

I recently made the decision to join the church that I had been going to for the past year off and on in the fall semester and then the Lord laid it on my heart to commit to going to Immanuel Baptist after returning from a trip up to New York for Spring Break. After commiting to IBC, I have since been discipled by the Pastor of the church, meeting with him every tuesday. It has been an awesome part of my week, meeting with him and the other college guys that go to our church. This past summer we dived in to the smaller new testament books. It has overall been an awesome experience, and I'm thankful to have been led to such an awesome body of believers.

Since joining, I have been involved in 2 comminity events that have happened over the course of two weeks. National Night out was a huge success. We orgainzed the event to invite the community that lived around our church to a night out to get to know each other and for their kids to play together. I got stuck doing face painting. It was actually fun. Here's some of the pics of that:

Elizabeth- a artist in the making

Bugs Bunny

Flower.

Me and Kristin after painting.

This past week me and Vincent have been able to volunteer at VBS. This has been a special time for me and him to say the least. We ride the van with our Pastor, Russ. We go down into the neighborhood and pick up the kids, we pick up kids of Florida St. and down in Pearleaf apartments also picking up kids down along the way. It has really made my week reaching out to them, and being able to invest my time and efforts into those kids. Be praying for these kids as they continue to learn just who Jesus is and what He means to them. Pray for unity in Pearleaf, with the kids and families. Pray for Elijah and Ozzy, two kids who live in Pearleaf, they both have trouble situations going on and all they need is for someone to love on them and tell them that what they are doing is right. Pray these kids follow their dreams like Elizabeth and get away from that atmosphere and make something of themselves. Most of these kids have been told that they will not do anything with their lives and are just going to get in with the wrong crowd, instead of following their dreams like they want. Help them to know that Jesus loves them. 

New Beginnings

So after a long day yesterday, moving back to greensboro. I am finally settling into my apartment. I arrived to the complex where we will be staying yesterday at around 11am with a car full of stuff. After paying and exchanging nice kind words with the lady who was there to welcome us, I left out to find our new place on the backside of the complex. At first I was looking around stupidly, I had no idea where I was supposed to go, I ended up calling my best friend Vince and asking him for directions to our place. I walked up to find that we were in fact matching -> lol. Anyway after moving some stuff in we decided to pick which rooms that we wanted, Vince had already said that he wanted the room with the balcony, and I was okay with that. I decided to go with the room across the hall from his, I think it worked out well. We only have to share our bathroom, which is nice btw. Overall the place looks great with just a few minor issues, some chips in the paint here and there. Our power has been turned on thank the Lord for that. The only thing we need to get is our internet which will happen tommorrow at the latest! We ended up finding a good deal on it, to where its 15 dollars a month! God has seriously blessed us in our place, most stuff was donated or given to us for the cost of nothing. What a God!!

I ask for your prayers as we begin this journey this year for most of us, being the first time living off campus in our own place!

thanks yall

Matt,Vincent and Lee

Marriage. Am I doing it for the right reasons?

Today I saw my friend Heith marry his beautiful bride Christian. It was a wonderful ceremony and the reception was off the chain. I enjoyed myself, and was able to spend some time with my brothers driving two and from Kings Mountain, which is on the other side of Gastonia and Charlotte.  On the way back we were listening to some slow jams and just having fellowship. I felt the Lord speak to me about something.

Here's what I heard: Marriage is more than just having intercourse with your wife/husband. You don't marry just to recieve that. If you do you have a mixed up view of marriage and not fit to marry. 

That really hit me as we were driving back... its not based on that, its much more than that. It's a support system, a compaionship. Much more than sex. God created man and female to be in companionship with each other.

Summer Summer and did I mention Summer.

Well it looks like I haven't been able to post for a while. I've been terrible at keeping this thing up, I'll try to do better at keeping it up. 

A Few things:

House that I'll be staying at for the summer

I moved into my own place, for the summer months in Greensboro to be closer to campus and summer ministry opportunities. It has been an awesome experience so far to see the Lord move. The house is actually the same house as my campus minister stays at, which is an awesome opportunity to be poured into by. It has also been great to live with 4 guys that I consider my close friends. I share a room with my close friend Vincent and another guy named John. Our room is right above our front door and above the entrance to the house. Be praying for opportunities to minister this summer within the city of Greensboro and how our house can be used.

Panaroma view of our room. (Matt, Vince and John)

Working.


I recently got hired at my local Sonic Drive In, working as a carhop, which is basically a waiter that delivers right to your car, and I'm on skates, which makes it more fun and enjoyable. I've only worked a few days and I can already tell that it is going to be a learning yet fun experience. I'm reading through the book of Matthew currently, today I read about how Jesus sent out the disciples and gave them the power/ authority under His name to cast out demons and heal the sick, and that they would be going into a world full of wolves, and them being the sheep. Yesterday I got a taste of what that actually meant. I came into work around 11:30am ready and excited to work, first off my boss did not give me my clock in number so I looked stupid in front of my manager and not to mention all who were working there that day. I really got thrown into all things Sonic, I ended up making drinks yesterday, making all the fountain drinks and fruit slushes and slushes themselves, the only thing I need to master is the Ice cream sundaes, malts, blasts and shakes, but other than that I did an overall good job. Pray for me to be able to take a stand for my faith and be able to be unashamed of the Gospel as I go to work. Literally I am going into an area full of wolves ready to be ripped apart, pray for the Lord to soften the hearts of my co workers as I try and reach them this summer.

Swaggin at Work. 

Proverbs 18:24

Sorry for not posting recently, but I've been busy with you call College. Ya know its that thing that you go off to after graduating High School, yea that thing. I believe the last time I updated this blog, it was in August, right after getting back from my second beach project. This past semester has been a long and hard one, but it is only by the Grace and Mercy of God that I am still in school and am alive to tell you what has happened.

Me and Vincent, friends and brothers for life. 

God has really used a brother to really reach out to me and get to know me at the same time. His name is Vincent. We look nothing alike, he's short, I'm tall. He's older, I'm the baby. I wear glasses, he doesn't. Those things don't matter what matters is our inward heart change that comes about when Christ persues us and we respond back to Him. God has really used this brother to call me back to Himself and given me a passion for learning Gods word.  I honestly didn't know where I would be if it wasnt for people like Vincent, who stepped into my life and poured into me. What began as just talks out in his car when I was living in Jefferson Suites, to now great friends that are planning to live together next year. I have developed a deep friendship with him, a friendship that I would have never had when I was little, or just having an actual friend in the first place. A friend that doesn't use me to get what he wants, but a friend that cares and loves me for what Christ has done in my heart.

I see alot of myself within Vincent. I see that he has a heart for others, he cares/ puts others before himself. He desires to grow in his faith daily, and he does his best to make sure that happens. He is a great example of what it means to "walk the walk".  The way that he carries himself, inspires me to better myself. I admire his faith in the Lord, to just stop and surrender. He surrender's all, even despite what he may be feeling or thinking about. We both have similar backgrounds, growing up in the Baptist denomination, and also just constantly being around Gods family. He spurs me on to love Christ more and more each day and his passion for the word has rubbed off on me. Everything that he does he points it back to Christ. We had the opportunity to share the Gospel earlier yesterday, as well as earlier in the year to be meeting up to study the word and praying.

He is like family to me and I would totally put myself on the battlefield and take a bullet for him, as long as he stayed safe. I know that he would do the same thing every game, and knowing that someone cares about me. I am thankful for what God is going to do through .

Of the World?

I've been back from the beach for about 2 weeks. The devil thinks he is clever because he is has tried and has gotten me to fall back and struggle with past sins. Throughout all of this, I have remained relying on God, to move and I know its only by the Spirit that can change my heart, but I also need to put in some pratical time, I understand that God works but it takes a little effort. Yes, relying on Christ is what I need at the moment but I need to meet Him halfway. I need to remind myself of the Gospel everyday, without that I fall. I need to remind myself that I am a sinner that is bound for Hell on my own in my flesh. I have no hope, but the good news is that God gave that to me, by sending His son to take on the sin of the world. I never really stop and meditate on that and its a convicting thing for me, do I dwell on the cross and the meaning of it? Do I even desire to Love Christ like I say I do?

Romans 12:2 states "Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the perfect will of God." The question then becomes Am I friend of the world or am I a friend of God. In scripture it says that if we love God we must become enemies of the world. My campus leader in Campus Outreach put it the other night in a question "why is it hard to live with a kingdom mindset all the time?" I replied that most people believe that this life is all about getting what YOU want, and being the best at whatever you do, its a survival of the fittest aspect of it. What we pay attention to the most and what we invest our time in explains where our heart is, and where our motives are. If its anything other than God it is sin.

I have been convicted of this in my own life, my passion has been in my sin and pleasures of this world and what can I get out of certain things. My affections havent been set on Christ, who I say that I love. I havent been getting in the word like I should, and growing deeper in my walk since coming back and have been turning back to lust and the things that go with it. I know its where God has called me to be at the moment and I'm okay with that because He is making me stronger and I've seen that evident in my life and I know that there is coming a day when I will be totally free from the grips of porn and all the things that are attached to it. I ask for your prayers as I continue the fight, I believe that I have been losing the fight because I dont have the trust in God like I should. I sometimes question why I go through what I do because it seems to always hurt me and leave me in a deeper pit and I believe that I havent had any backing from others in prayer, so I covet those as I continue the fight.

I believe that God is changing my heart even now, because now I reconize that its a problem when a while ago I didn't. I believe im on the hill about to cresent the hill and never looking back to where Ive been, its been an awesome journey so far and I look forward to whats to come and what He does in my life, this coming school year. Again I covet your prayers on my behalf.

Pray that I : would be reminded of the Gospel daily. 2) know when Im feeling temptation to escape it and go somewhere else. 3) rely on God for everything and to get me past this.

thanks Matt

The Freshness

Do I know that You care?

 Do I know that Your Here?

This is much more than I can bear.

Lord, Oh how I long to be clear.

This world is sufficationg me.

It's tears against my ugly flesh

Please God hear my plea.

Make me fresh.

I'm chained up

Locked up with the key thrown out

like a fresh bottle of ketshup pulled from the shelf

face full of doubts

Asking myself "Will I ever be freed of this?"

When I'm about to loose hope and when all else fails

Your prescence comes to me like a wave crashing on the beach

It is immediate, I'm hit like a brick.

Reminding me of who I am and why I'm here.

This world will fail me,

But I know God, You will never fail.

In You am I able to be free

Please God hear my plea.

Lord, Oh how I long to be clear.

transitions

Over a year ago I started college. I knew that when I graduated from High School and moved out on my own, I knew that I wanted to stay grounded in my faith. Upon entering college, and attending the fair on the first day of school I learned about Campus Crusade for Christ. I remember going because it was one of the only ministry's that I heard about. I remember treking over to the Sullivan building for meetings the first semester, I loved the worship at the meetings and it turned out to become my ministry for most of my freshman year. Over Christmas break, I started to feel different about my decision, maybe I had made it to soon, I had friends that had gone to CO another campus ministry and attended there weekly. I felt the pull of God to maybe go elsewhere once I got back from winter break. In myself I battled Him. 'No God, I just made friends here, I'm just getting into this.' I told Him, but sooner or later I went about staying in Crusade, a spring break opportunity came up, a week long trip to NYC. Wow I thought. I felt the pull to go so I signed up and followed. While there I believe God started to reveal a passion for sharing the Gospel as that was what we were there doing. I got back and AGAIN felt God pulling me to step down from Crusade and to go elsewhere. I didnt want to leave people that I had become friends with, and it felt bad after going on a trip with them and then saying peace, to them. Despite that I followed Him and started going to 805 aka Campus Outreach.

I remember asking my friends where 805 was and asked if I could walk with them. As we walked over I passed several Cru memembers and my heart sank. As we got to the meeting I was immediately hit with all these new faces of people. People came up and shook my hand and asked my name. I was like wow these people are friendly. As the meeting started I began to loosen up, the game was funny, the testimoney amazing and the message very pratical. I felt home, like this is where God wanted me all along. I believe God puts in things and then takes us out according to His will. Long story short I ended up going the rest of the semester and then going on an eight week trip with them over  the summer where I grew  so much and  developed friendships. Again I felt home, and CO will always be a place for me to go to and Im thankful that Im apart of that and this ministry.

Summer Plans already? Yea

Im on spring break. Its hard to believe that the semester is almost over. When I go back this weekend, I have about a month and a few weeks till my summer starts. My college career is halfway over. It still blows my mind that I walked over two years ago and here I am almost 20. AHHH im going crazy. Anyway... I have some awesome news. I found out that I am returning to the Summer Beach Project! I was asked to be on leadership, a role that not everyone gets the chance to do. Im excited to be going back on the other side of project, last year I was the one recieving everything, this summer I get to give and I am super pumped about that. I believe that the Lord is allowing me to return, and again I am trusting Him to provide the funds to get me there.

I am on the servant team for SBP 2012. I'll be serving the project, by being in prayer for the students. One thing I believe that I'm passionate about is seeing students grow in their walks with Christ. It brings me joy too see students grow so much over the summer and thats why I'm so excited for SBP.

This is the vid from last years project. To Legit to quit. Enjoy! and be in prayer for us and the students that we will reach



As I fall from the grips of my faith.
You came, without a trace.
Caught mid way and told me that it would be alright.
Encouraging me to keep fight.

Savior please, consume my life, my wants, needs. My desires, my goals, my being, heal me of broken wounds and a broken heart. Savior please do as you want.

I pleaded and He heard. A change overcomes me, o am transformed.
Savior please keep saving me from myself.



A simple message but I forget, that He transferred himself to us and us to Him.

Finding your Significents

This is from one of my friends stories, and she has allowed me to share it with you all. I hope it changes your life as it impacted me. Blessings (:

I’m going to write for a bit.

You don’t have to read this, but God bless you if you do.

For the past 2 years, my heart and soul have been hit with hammers, paper balls, screwdrivers, fists, pillows and rubber bands. There both a little dented up in their current state. I haven’t been happy. No, that’s the wrong word. Being “happy” is so temporary.

I haven’t had any joy.

When I looked/look in a mirror, I hated and hate what I see. I never feel good enough for anything or anyone. I feel fake. I have a filthy mouth and I drink, not too much, but I do. I haven’t been to church in months and tonight I went where I was welcome with open arms by friends that I haven’t seen in ages. When the pastor asked if anyone wanted to receive any gifts or words from God, I sat quietly in the back and watched. It was beautiful, hearing prayer over everyone and seeing joy on people’s faces, life flowing through them. In my mind I screamed “I want this!” but I continued to just sit quietly. Tears came to my eyes.
After it was over, the pastor asked if anyone else needed prayer, whether unspoken or general. Before I could say so, he had looked straight at me.

                                       “I believe God is telling me to share a word with you.”

My stomach got in knots. I knew it was coming. This thing I had been avoiding for months was going to be addressed. But this was what I wanted more than anything. I needed it.

He walked over to me. We had never met before so I introduced myself quietly. I then stood with my eyes shut as he prayed over me. Immediately I began sobbing at what he prayed for and what he said about me. When the prayer was over, I felt so vulnerable surrounded by this crowd of familiar and unfamiliar faces. The pastor continued to tell me that, in short, I was valued. That I was God’s favorite. That on God’s mirror at home, my picture was hanging there. He also said that I didn’t need to worry about the future - something I have been doing for a while. As more people spoke up, I heard different words. Of how God’s relationship with me was close-knit. How when I hurt, God hurt. Someone told me that whenever I was upset, God sends people into my life to make me happy again. So that I won’t hurt so badly. One of my close friends told me to not make myself invisible. To ask for help if I needed it. She also said that she was given a vision of me standing and looking into a mirror and that when I see myself, I don’t like anything I see but behind me, she saw people standing and looking at me and thinking how great I was or how pretty I was. One girl I had never met before, who was standing beside me, said that I just screamed “Glory of the Lord”, that it was a kind of sign that hung above my head everywhere I went. She said that I was “that” person. That person that people longed to have such a quality like. Other people said they saw me having great plans for the future. That God had big things in store for me. The last person that spoke told me that the word “significant” kept repeating itself over and over.

                                                                      Significant. 

All of this made me cry. Ball my eyes out like a baby. How terrible and unworthy I have felt all these years. Too unworthy of God’s love. Too unworthy and broken to talk to Him or to reach out for help. 7 or 8 people spoke words to me from God tonight, most of who had never met me before. I wish I could remember word for word everything. One that stood out most to me was the very last of the night.
About an hour or so after the prayer had happened, a boy I had never met before came in and shared with me that he had a word for me. Apparently for weeks, my good friend had been trying to get him to share words with people that God had given him. But he refused. As he sat down and began to explain this vision God gave him, he said he saw a sunset and then a sunrise. He told me he was a bit confused because it should have been in the reverse order - sunrise to sunset. But then he pulled from it that the sunset signified the past and the sunrise, a beautiful future. I was stuck in the middle, he said, and that I needed to leave the past behind - let it set - and move on to a beautiful sunrise.
Everything that happened tonight put things into perspective. I don’t need to worry so much. I don’t need to try to be anything other than who I am as a person. As many times as I’ve messed up and that I’ve been hurt, God loves me. So much. I can’t even comprehend or write about it. I am His daughter. And it feels amazing.

 

Overwhealmed

There are times when I get fustrated. Times where I get hopless, feeling as if there is nothing that can help me. Last night I was reminded that He is there for me. Once a month at my church we have a prayer service called 'FLAME'. Its a time to get encouragement and just a time to worship God. I look forward to it every month. Anyway there was a common theme with me: Remember who Lives inside you. Sometimes I forget or fail to acknowledge that God lives inside me. I hate to say that about myself, but I'd be lying to ya if I didnt tell you the truth.

School has started back up, I'm back down to five classes. two less then last semester: two words: THANK GOD. I praise Him for getting me through that crazy semester. I dont know why, but when I get overwhelmed I tend not to have a good day and things fall apart from there. One of my friends brought me back to the realization that God has already won the war, and we both know how it ends, buts its fighting these little "daily battles" that I tend to fail at. I thought about that for a while and I just sat there in awe and was thinking to myself DUH. It was a huge slap in the face, I felt stupid.. Here I am worried about these little battles that I should know how it ends.

The Bible states that after the thousand year reign of Christ, the antichrist who was locked up after the seven year tribulation period is finally released to reek havoc on the world. You think God will sit back and let him do that? HECK NO!!!! Scripture says that He will cast him(satan) into the lake of fire and there He will perish. I dont know about you but that makes me wanna jump. Ha! But even better the devil lost his bout on the cross of Christ. When Jesus spread His arms open, IT WAS ALL OVER!!! 

Even as I was typing this I got a slap in the face, its time for me to stop being so stupid and abusing grace. I hate that, sometimes I feel as if I abuse the love that Christ gives to me, but I know that He loved me enough to spread his arms and embrace me. I'm thankful for that even when I'm turning away from Christ to live for myself. It pains me now as I type this. Christ: break my heart. Draw me close, bring me back.

Healings

I just recently got back from a new years conference in Chattanooga,TN. Im listening to the talks online. I am re listening to the men's talk with Piper. One of the quotes that he said was if you have given up, given your life over to something in 2011. He said:

"If you have messed up in 2011, GOD will have YOU back in 2012.

WOW, what a statement and how much it applies to my life. In 2011, I made several steps in my walk with Christ, you can read my previous blog for that. Midway through the year I started slipping back, and I fell off the rock. I slid down to the very bottom, I thought that I was without hope, but after hearing this talk... Piper spoke to me, through God. Far to often do I feel bad about myself, I dont ever think I'm good enough. I know that on my own I wont get anywhere but in CHRIST I am made A!ive. Christ's blood made me clean, He paid my sin debt, I take that for granted SO MUCH. We all do. I thought that I was alone, helpless, a lost cause but God rescued me in the right time when I was about to give up myself.

Through Him: I'm learning to cope with my past... and it's my prayer that I'm used to tell my story to someone who is in the same boat I was in. I know that I WILL NEVER GO BACK to where I was.

If I have to I'll fight.

I'm in the process of being Healed, my scars run deep but I know that slowly they will be healed.. to know that He invites me back in gives my heart a jump. Im grateful for grace

Things I did and my Mission

In 2011 I...

• De-decicated my life back to Christ. :)
• Made it through my first year at UNC- Greensboro
• Went on a mission trip to NYC with Cru, only being called to switch ministries right after.. oops
• Started attending Campus Outreach aka '805' in March, immed. fell in love and knew that I was in the right place/
• Started attending Chruch at Piedmont International Church in Greensboro, and as well as getting involed with Encounter.
• Attended a few Bible Studies
• Saw a hall mate come to know Christ last year after praying for Him all year
• Went to my first ever Summer Beach Project with CO.
• lived in SC for 2 months of the year.
• Shared my faith publically for the first time on the beach with complete strangers.
• Grew alot in my faith than EVER before.
• Worked my first 'real' job
• Became a Sophomore
• Helped students move in with ECM and CO
• Dorm-Storm- our way of getting the word out about CO meeting, meetings grew this semester thanks to that.
• went to Men's retreat and did manly things
• Went to National Conference and partied till I was purple that night with people that had the same morals as I did.
• Saw the 116 guys multiple times.

2012.. I look forward to this year and all the things that happen.

Lord, have your hand on this year. May we grow as a ministry as well as individuals in you. I pray for our ministry CO at UNCG, I pray you have Your way in 2012 with us. Let us go take the gospel to campus so that from Spring Garden Apartments to Phillips-Hawkins, the Gospel will be proclaimed. Equip us. Teach us. Instruct us. Show us Yourself.

I pray for my own personal ministry this year. I know you want me to do amazing things this year. I pray that You would have your way with me. I pray that if it involves leading others that you would equip me, give me a passion to reach out to others especially younger men that I can lead and show them the grace and satisfaction that is found in Christ. I pray that You would be at the center, that I would go harder for the sake of the Gospel this year. No more lukewarm for Matt Cook baby.. set and based in Christ. Never had it better. Thanks for bringing me back. I love You Father.

Calling

I am empty,
I'm am a dead soul, my body is weak.
I walk around malls this way.. People staring my way as I walk past. They say 'are you okay' or 'what's your problem'... But I know I was destined for greatness, I know of someone who thinks im to die for.....

In Him I am made complete. I lay my head on that pillow knowing daily that He is in control. My light grows as I begin to trust Him and lean on Him. See life's not a 'walk in the park' as we call it. No friends life's a struggle, we must due to self, that's a hard thing. Daily I fight with my flesh, not to fall into temptation. You see I'm like this because a guy named adam sinned and broke Gods law. So I'm sinful by nature thanks to Him. Living 4 Him is the life and is better than the life I once lived. I might look weird but baby I'm doing what I'm supposed to do and living the way I'm called to.

Hanging Out with Jesus

This past semester the Lord has really told me one simple thing: 'Sit Back and rest.' Thats a hard thing for me because I always like to do things. I've been learning to hear God's voice, but this year as a whole, 2011. God has chosen this year for me to see Him. Until recently I had only seen Him once. A month or two ago, I just felt led to go in front of the Lord. I felt like I was supposed to lay down on the chair. I did I closed my eyes and I told God, I said "God, I want to rest in You, its what You, here I am do what ya want." I said that and just laid there, I've blogged about this experience before but that was one of the first times that I had ever seen hung out with Him or even seen Him. Granted I dont know how He looks, because no one really knows what He looks like but I went by what pictures I had seen of Him.

Then yesterday I was bored so I decided to hang out with a friend. We were playing a game and I happened to look over at a chair and see Jesus.. He looked intrested in what we were doing. My friend gets these sights of Him as well, she see's Him as her husband, which is cool in my book. We got to talking that whatever way we might need Him, thats how He reveals himself to us. For me its a support person. He is always there to help me when Im down. He is always there, always has His hands on me, praying for me. Its such an encouragement. Its great to know that I have someone who loves me that much and supports me through all the tough times, someone who forgives me even when I dont love back. Thats true love people. I believe  that I have grown so much closer to Him this year than all the years that I've been saved.

There's Hope

I'm thinking to myself, after being in a dark place. I wonder if there is anything out there. I look up and in pure spite of myself I look up. There's light.

There's Hope

I look around.. I dont see anyone looking my way. I start to climb very quietly. I make it up halfway.

There's Hope.

I keep climbing until I reach the top. Each step I take I get closer and closer to my goal, my prize. I make it out on top. Massive light is shown around me, I am filled with the utermost joy and satisfaction.

There's Hope.

I look up and i see where the light is coming from, its upon a hill, quickly I follow the light, running and persuing it with all that I have. Down the hill I go, across the river and up the hill I go to reach the light.

There's Hope.

I cant believe what I see, my eyes are awestruck, I can no longer contain myself. I fall to my kness and worship. I say to myself that there is Hope.

(its my prayer that YOU would put your trust in Christ if you havent done so.)

Photo moments

Ive gotten into photography here's some of my works.

Come

Yesterday I got the opportunity to go to an awesome worship service to support a friend. It was awesome to see her and she what she does best: sing. But the theme was 'A Generation that Worship's"

We live in such a corrupt world that the name of Christ doesn't shake most people. A world that has turned away from the only love that we have or could ever need. It breaks my heart that we have ignored that kind of love. John 10:10 states ' I have come so that they may have life and live it to the fullest.' That means we can live however we choose as it is in Christ and is by the Bible. You don't have to stay quiet, you can be yourself. Just look at me, I am an art major at a very liberal arts school, where the Gospel is not proclaimed in the department. I believe that God has placed me there to be an example and a light in the darkness. I do what I do because I know it's what He wants for my life and I display my work because I want to please Him. I hope I'm a light to the darkness. I am a musician that plays guitar, I'm not good yet but I do it because again I believe its part of what He wants. My point in all this is that you don't have to change who you are in order to follow Christ. He says come as you are... so you don't have to become something your not, be yourself, be the person that you were meant to be. There's so much freedom in the Lord. If He isn't over your life I would challenge you to accept the greatest person that will change your life for the best. He doesn't ask you to change who you are, He loves you, just follow in His footpaths for your life, I promise you your life will never be the same :)

Dying to self

In life we are called to make sacrifices. Whether that be our time, money or other things we must always think about having a kingdom mindset. I'm not a perfect being by far but according to Romans I was dead in my sin, I needed a Savior and then God worked it all out for me by providing me with His son. But it talks about being slaves to the Gospel. How we are not slaves to sin any longer but we are slaves to righteousness. It talks about honoring God with everything.

Wait a min. You're saying that I have to honor Him in every aspect? YES. It says don't use your body to do un godly things with it, when you do that you are dishonoring him and mocking Him. I struggle with this... And it's a daily battle but I know that with Christ on my side that I can conquer anything the devil tries to place in my way. Instead it says use your members to glorify Him? How can I do that? Live your salvation everywhere you go, school, in your room, with friends etc. Live it out and be a living sacrifice to God because He gave it up for you. Die to yourself everyday is something I need to make a habit Of doing daily. I need to spend more time in the word too because i feel that is what the devil uses to get to me. My prayer is that I would continent stay strong in the faith and will Persia my prize which is my king and my city in the sky. Pray with me