Before you all read this and get confused this isn't a blog that is like all my other ones. This blog is dedicated to the classes of 2012 and 2013. I will be addressing both of these classes individually shortly. Before that though I will reflect on the end of the year.
With the end of this year coming up there are a lot of thoughts going through my head. I must say I am super excited for the year to end. The end of this year means a lot of things for me. Summer is the one obvious one, me being News Editor next year, the possibility of getting a job and being a senior. Ultimately, the main thing I'm excited about is my graduation. It's really quite astounding how fast the time as flown for us all. 12 years of schooling, just done and over with. I must admit I can't complain because I would really really like to get out of high school and get on to college. It'll be amazing going to Bible college and growing in my faith. Anyway I'm going to get on to addressing the classes.
Class of 2012,
Seniors and in some cases friends. I must say I will never forget you. You've all been a part of that class that has always been one step above us. We've always had to look up at you because we were always below. Honestly, I don't know how it'll feel to be the top class on campus. I mean sure we experienced it in eighth grade but this is way different. This is the top of the top. This is the end. For a year we'll be the seniors of Scottsbluff High and it'll be weird. I guess we'll see if humans really were made with an ability to adapt to change I suppose. It'll be interesting. As for your future, good luck with it. Follow your dreams no matter how humble or how extravagant they may be. Just remember, for those of you who don't share my faith, that if you're content with what you have you will always search and search. Really for those of you who don't share my faith I must encourage you to talk to me about it within the short amount of time you have left to do so. For those of you who do share my faith, remember who you follow... Remember every single day to follow Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith because really He's the only One to follow that won't lead you astray. All other things we set up as idols to worship can't fill us up and leave us satisfied and content. Remember that guys. Pray earnestly and God bless.
Class of 2013
My class, my friends, and unfortunately in some cases people I don't know. First off to any of you reading I would like to apologize to anyone I have wronged over the years. I don't know what the circumstances or the situation was back then but I do know that if you remember it then it bothers you. For that, I am truly sorry.
Next off I want to leave a charge to my class. I know that we know a lot of people in our class. I know we all do. Some of us may not be that close though. I want to challenge that we all get closer and continue on to make our senior year the best year we've ever had. Get to know more of our class and make it through strong. We can change this community if we do it right guys. Which is something I know we can do. We all have different talents, different interests and different ways we were made unique. We can come together to accomplish great things though. That is all I have for you now guys. God bless and I will be trying to pray over this next year. I ask that a lot of my classmates who share my faith would do the same.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Friday, April 27, 2012
Spring Thing thoughts and comments (Finally!)
As I write this I am sort of exploring the new layout to this site. I haven't been on to post anything for a while. As the title suggests, I am finally posting some stuff on Spring Thing 2012. It's been like two weeks since it happened so I am very glad I took notes. I am also quite impressed with the quality of notes I took!
Anyways time to get down to the main point of this whole post. Spring Thing had quite the message. The whole thing was on changing the direction of the church to the same direction that Jesus is moving. Mike (my youth pastor) also brought some interesting aspects to this idea. He talked about a "Crash" of rhinos. Rhinos can move at 30 mph and can only see 30 feet in any given direction. They are also a two ton animal. In other words... I don't think I would want to be in front of a rhino. Not many things can stop a rhino and I know for a fact that I am not one of those things. Rhinos (being a two ton animal and being able to move at 30mph) gain a lot of momentum... fast. If we are to get momentum in Jesus' direction we must know two things as the church. Jesus' love and humilty are game changers for the church.
This is an example of Jesus' humilty.
So when Jesus had washed their feet and put his outer clothing back on, he took his place at the table again and said to them, “Do you understand what I have done for you? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and do so correctly, for that is what I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you too ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example – you should do just as I have done for you. I tell you the solemn truth, the slave is not greater than his master, nor is the one who is sent as a messenger greater than the one who sent him. (John 13:12-16 NET) As a church are we willing to wash each other's feet? Are we willing to take on the job of the lowest person in the household and in the process humble ourselves? I don't just ask this question to you as my readers, I also ask it to myself in a way. When reading about what Jesus did in scripture I often find myself convicted by it. Because He is God in the flesh and He did things I find myself struggling to do sometimes. Let's move on to Jesus' love.
“I give you a new commandment – to love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. Everyone will know by this that you are my disciples – if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34, 35 NET) I know that's only two verses but in all reality it is HUGE. "Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another." That verse right there hits me the hardest. This is why. Jesus loved us enough to come down to this earth and die for us. Just to save us from the coming wrath of His Father. Which in all reality should have been ours. Jesus didn't just die either. He was beaten and tortured within an inch of His life, forced to drag a cross to Calvary, nailed to that cross, seperated from His Father through our sin and finally died on that cross as payment for us.
The church needs to follow His example and live for God. If we accomplish anything worth doing it will only be thorugh being the church Jesus called us to be. This isn't all I have to say about this my friends. You will definitely see more in the future. For now though think this over.
Anyways time to get down to the main point of this whole post. Spring Thing had quite the message. The whole thing was on changing the direction of the church to the same direction that Jesus is moving. Mike (my youth pastor) also brought some interesting aspects to this idea. He talked about a "Crash" of rhinos. Rhinos can move at 30 mph and can only see 30 feet in any given direction. They are also a two ton animal. In other words... I don't think I would want to be in front of a rhino. Not many things can stop a rhino and I know for a fact that I am not one of those things. Rhinos (being a two ton animal and being able to move at 30mph) gain a lot of momentum... fast. If we are to get momentum in Jesus' direction we must know two things as the church. Jesus' love and humilty are game changers for the church.
This is an example of Jesus' humilty.
So when Jesus had washed their feet and put his outer clothing back on, he took his place at the table again and said to them, “Do you understand what I have done for you? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and do so correctly, for that is what I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you too ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example – you should do just as I have done for you. I tell you the solemn truth, the slave is not greater than his master, nor is the one who is sent as a messenger greater than the one who sent him. (John 13:12-16 NET) As a church are we willing to wash each other's feet? Are we willing to take on the job of the lowest person in the household and in the process humble ourselves? I don't just ask this question to you as my readers, I also ask it to myself in a way. When reading about what Jesus did in scripture I often find myself convicted by it. Because He is God in the flesh and He did things I find myself struggling to do sometimes. Let's move on to Jesus' love.
“I give you a new commandment – to love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. Everyone will know by this that you are my disciples – if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34, 35 NET) I know that's only two verses but in all reality it is HUGE. "Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another." That verse right there hits me the hardest. This is why. Jesus loved us enough to come down to this earth and die for us. Just to save us from the coming wrath of His Father. Which in all reality should have been ours. Jesus didn't just die either. He was beaten and tortured within an inch of His life, forced to drag a cross to Calvary, nailed to that cross, seperated from His Father through our sin and finally died on that cross as payment for us.
The church needs to follow His example and live for God. If we accomplish anything worth doing it will only be thorugh being the church Jesus called us to be. This isn't all I have to say about this my friends. You will definitely see more in the future. For now though think this over.
Saturday, April 14, 2012
A look at what is coming up
Just to let those of you who read my blog know what is going on soon. I'm definitely planning on writing a blog on what I'm experiencing this weekend. I'm currently at Spring Thing and I'm seeing so much in a new light. I would be writing now but there are two things holding me back.
-I'm on my iPad right now and I don't have my keyboard with me so I can't type very well. (I'm surprised I'm saying as much as I am.
- I'm very short on time at the moment.
So I shall get a new blog up soon. See you guys. :)
-I'm on my iPad right now and I don't have my keyboard with me so I can't type very well. (I'm surprised I'm saying as much as I am.
- I'm very short on time at the moment.
So I shall get a new blog up soon. See you guys. :)
Monday, March 26, 2012
Random thoughts
In all honesty guys I only sort of have a point to this post. It is mostly to collect my thoughts in one place. And partly a place to relieve some of my boredom. I'm just now getting home from helping with newspaper. Finally ahead of the game for once and it's kind of nice.
Anyway to the sort of point I have. I am having to place a lot of trust in God right now. I am in desperate need of a job. It's not even like I need for personal things... I need it to pay for insurance on my new car. I just recently got my license and my car... I like driving. I'm assuming you get my dilema at this point. If any of you who reads this would pray for that then I would really appreciate that.
On another note TNT has started doing something way different. We try to do the accountability but on top of that we're doing more lessons. We're growing closer together from what I can see.
I really miss someone... Like really bad. So yeah. That was really random but oh well. I will spare you all of the specifics. Anyways thats all I really have tonight. Thanks for listening (Or I guess reading) my little brain drain. Have a good week!
Anyway to the sort of point I have. I am having to place a lot of trust in God right now. I am in desperate need of a job. It's not even like I need for personal things... I need it to pay for insurance on my new car. I just recently got my license and my car... I like driving. I'm assuming you get my dilema at this point. If any of you who reads this would pray for that then I would really appreciate that.
On another note TNT has started doing something way different. We try to do the accountability but on top of that we're doing more lessons. We're growing closer together from what I can see.
I really miss someone... Like really bad. So yeah. That was really random but oh well. I will spare you all of the specifics. Anyways thats all I really have tonight. Thanks for listening (Or I guess reading) my little brain drain. Have a good week!
Monday, February 27, 2012
Being a blessing
Okay guys for one I would like to say I sort of find what has been going on in my life slightly ironic. I have been involved with a lot of cancer patients lately. First I shaved my head for one boy suffering of cancer at our school. And now another member of my own family is suffering from the dreaded cancer. I find this ironic because a long time ago my aunt died from cancer. She was actually one connection I have to one of my best Christian friends nowadays. He had spoke at her funeral after her death.
Anyway back to the idea of being a blessing. My mom got very involved in a benefit for this member of my family (my cousin by marriage.) She has always been involved with her church all her life. This is the same church we had the benefit in. Chili was served and there was an auction. All the funds made at the benefit went to doctor's bills. Which if you've seen a doctor's bill lately they are expensive. This was all very appreciated but what I also saw was a large group of people which were drawn together to help. Some of which were a part of my family who don't even go to church or claim Jesus. A lot of which do go to church and do claim Jesus as their Savior. Personally I find this all to be a big blessing to me.
Or so I thought...
That was a blessing sure but the real blessing came earlier today. My mom and I went over to this cousin of mines house to visit for a bit tonight. (Notice how I say a bit.) We ended up staying there for somewhere about three hours catching up with them. Through this catching up they all found out that I was planning on going into ministry in the future. They were very encouraging. In all reality it is the most fun I've had with family for a long time. It was awesome. I went with the intention of being Jesus to a part of my family and being a blessing to them. They ended up being a huge blessing to me.
Here's a verse to think on for the week.
“Everything is lawful,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is lawful,” but not everything builds others up. Do not seek your own good, but the good of the other person. (1 Corinthians 10:23, 24 NET)
God bless and have a good week!
Anyway back to the idea of being a blessing. My mom got very involved in a benefit for this member of my family (my cousin by marriage.) She has always been involved with her church all her life. This is the same church we had the benefit in. Chili was served and there was an auction. All the funds made at the benefit went to doctor's bills. Which if you've seen a doctor's bill lately they are expensive. This was all very appreciated but what I also saw was a large group of people which were drawn together to help. Some of which were a part of my family who don't even go to church or claim Jesus. A lot of which do go to church and do claim Jesus as their Savior. Personally I find this all to be a big blessing to me.
Or so I thought...
That was a blessing sure but the real blessing came earlier today. My mom and I went over to this cousin of mines house to visit for a bit tonight. (Notice how I say a bit.) We ended up staying there for somewhere about three hours catching up with them. Through this catching up they all found out that I was planning on going into ministry in the future. They were very encouraging. In all reality it is the most fun I've had with family for a long time. It was awesome. I went with the intention of being Jesus to a part of my family and being a blessing to them. They ended up being a huge blessing to me.
Here's a verse to think on for the week.
“Everything is lawful,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is lawful,” but not everything builds others up. Do not seek your own good, but the good of the other person. (1 Corinthians 10:23, 24 NET)
God bless and have a good week!
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Valentine's Day
Today is Febuaray 14th. This is a day that a lot of people were looking forward to... And a lot of people dreaded it. Love it or hate it Valentine's day comes around no matter what.
I will admit that there are plenty of people that just see it as another day and there are others that love the idea of lavishing their loved ones with gifts of all kinds. But there is one other group. This group is the group of people that is simply sad that they are not with someone that loves them on THE day that people show love.
Before I get too into this let me make something clear... I am not posting this to bash on these people. In all honesty my friends I used to be one of those people. I used to dread Valentine's day coming around and when it was here I would do nothing but sit around and do nothing. I would absolutely hate that it was there.
Here's some advice from one believer to another... Don't fret about not having earthly love. It just gets in the way. If you have it then thats fine. If you don't then I would ask that you focus on God's love. Here's scripture's definition of love which is up to God's standards. This is how God loves us.
Love is patient, love is kind, it is not envious. Love does not brag, it is not puffed up. It is not rude, it is not self-serving, it is not easily angered or resentful. It is not glad about injustice, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never ends. But if there are prophecies, they will be set aside; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be set aside. (1 Corinthians 13:4-8 NET)
God's love never fails. He never gave up on us. He didn't even spare His own Son from the fate that we should have suffered. Just think on that tonight as the day ends.
God bless and goodnight.
I will admit that there are plenty of people that just see it as another day and there are others that love the idea of lavishing their loved ones with gifts of all kinds. But there is one other group. This group is the group of people that is simply sad that they are not with someone that loves them on THE day that people show love.
Before I get too into this let me make something clear... I am not posting this to bash on these people. In all honesty my friends I used to be one of those people. I used to dread Valentine's day coming around and when it was here I would do nothing but sit around and do nothing. I would absolutely hate that it was there.
Here's some advice from one believer to another... Don't fret about not having earthly love. It just gets in the way. If you have it then thats fine. If you don't then I would ask that you focus on God's love. Here's scripture's definition of love which is up to God's standards. This is how God loves us.
Love is patient, love is kind, it is not envious. Love does not brag, it is not puffed up. It is not rude, it is not self-serving, it is not easily angered or resentful. It is not glad about injustice, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never ends. But if there are prophecies, they will be set aside; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be set aside. (1 Corinthians 13:4-8 NET)
God's love never fails. He never gave up on us. He didn't even spare His own Son from the fate that we should have suffered. Just think on that tonight as the day ends.
God bless and goodnight.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Thoughts while driving
My grandma and I decided to go look at cars today in Mitchell because I will (hopefully) be getting my license soon. We had an enjoyable time. This also gave me a very nice chance to drive a bit before my test. She drove there we looked at cars and I drove us back.
We drove around for a solid like 30 minutes. We talked about a bunch of random things which include having a will (I'm in business law so I decided it'd be fun to ask) and the upcoming driving test I will be required to take.
On the way home from our drive we got stuck in traffic. I was stuck on one side of the street while a slew of cars went by on the other side. We sat there for a good ten minutes waiting for the traffic to cease.
I found myself becoming slightly frusterated with the situation. There was all this traffic on one side of me and a bunch of traffic behind me (there would've been more but a lot of them passed me). In the middle of all this mess and frusteration I found myself thinking... Does God ever get frusterated with us?
Think about this. One moment in your life where you were stuck doing something that God most likely didn't like. My thoughts on the matter are this... He most likely did get slightly frusterated with us when we were caught in that. On the other hand He loves us enough to forgive and just keep on showing us love. No matter what we do. God is there. In the silence. In the darkness. In the light. Our Father is present.
Never forget that. God bless and have a good week.
We drove around for a solid like 30 minutes. We talked about a bunch of random things which include having a will (I'm in business law so I decided it'd be fun to ask) and the upcoming driving test I will be required to take.
On the way home from our drive we got stuck in traffic. I was stuck on one side of the street while a slew of cars went by on the other side. We sat there for a good ten minutes waiting for the traffic to cease.
I found myself becoming slightly frusterated with the situation. There was all this traffic on one side of me and a bunch of traffic behind me (there would've been more but a lot of them passed me). In the middle of all this mess and frusteration I found myself thinking... Does God ever get frusterated with us?
Think about this. One moment in your life where you were stuck doing something that God most likely didn't like. My thoughts on the matter are this... He most likely did get slightly frusterated with us when we were caught in that. On the other hand He loves us enough to forgive and just keep on showing us love. No matter what we do. God is there. In the silence. In the darkness. In the light. Our Father is present.
Never forget that. God bless and have a good week.
Friday, January 27, 2012
Reflections on Run to You (I Need You)
I got home today from school and put all my school supplies away for the weekend. (I mean after all who does homework over the week?) Anyways I picked up my iPad and decided to listen to most of my worship cds to get me pumped to finish my Youth Alive lesson later. And well I've been here for hours just listening and having some inspiration for how I want to be. Here's the lyrics I'm sort of reflecting on right now.
"I need you. I can't get enough of you. I come alive when I'm in your pressence. Oh, God of my salvation."
This almost sounds like a Psalm! But with music and no huge prophetic words. The song itself is talking about needing God and always running to Him who gave us this great salvation and this great strength. By the way the song is by Kari Jobe for anyone who may wish to look it up. (I would recommend it!)
It's a faith like that and a love like that that keeps us going in the Christian life. Knowing that there is always our God that we can run to and who will ALWAYS love us. Science tries to explain away God but yet the facts for God outweight the "evidence" for scientific reasons for our existence. The fact alone that believers know He's present should be enough. He's always there to comfort us and love us. Like a father would. Anyway have a good weekend my friends.
God Bless.
"I need you. I can't get enough of you. I come alive when I'm in your pressence. Oh, God of my salvation."
This almost sounds like a Psalm! But with music and no huge prophetic words. The song itself is talking about needing God and always running to Him who gave us this great salvation and this great strength. By the way the song is by Kari Jobe for anyone who may wish to look it up. (I would recommend it!)
It's a faith like that and a love like that that keeps us going in the Christian life. Knowing that there is always our God that we can run to and who will ALWAYS love us. Science tries to explain away God but yet the facts for God outweight the "evidence" for scientific reasons for our existence. The fact alone that believers know He's present should be enough. He's always there to comfort us and love us. Like a father would. Anyway have a good weekend my friends.
God Bless.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Winter White Wash: My Experience
My youth group just got back on Sunday from a weekend of sking, snowboarding, swimming and ice skating. Sounds fun right?
It wasnt' all fun and games with some of the closest friends I have thought. We learned a very important lesson about hungering for God. One thing I'll never forget about Winter White Wash is that it was the first youth rally I ever went to. I had a weird reminder of the topic last year too though.
I have recently been trying to get more music on my iPad 2 (Mostly because I only had one album and was getting "reminded" of that fact a lot). I got this keyboard which I now use and a good sum of iTunes money when I got back from the trip. I bought two new apps and three albums. (Which by the way brings me up to four albums! Yes!!!)
Anyway one of the albums I got was Kari Jobe's "Where I Find You." Kari Jobe has always been one of my favorite worship artists but there was a song that struck a chord with me. There's a song called "We Are" and it talks about how we are the light of the world which is referenced from Jesus.
“You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its flavor, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled on by people. You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill cannot be hidden. People do not light a lamp and put it under a basket but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before people, so that they can see your good deeds and give honor to your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:13-16 NET)
Which is what we learned about last year at Winter White Wash! Like exactly. It's crazy how much this song reminds me of that trip last year. Its great to have the reminder! God is good!
It wasnt' all fun and games with some of the closest friends I have thought. We learned a very important lesson about hungering for God. One thing I'll never forget about Winter White Wash is that it was the first youth rally I ever went to. I had a weird reminder of the topic last year too though.
I have recently been trying to get more music on my iPad 2 (Mostly because I only had one album and was getting "reminded" of that fact a lot). I got this keyboard which I now use and a good sum of iTunes money when I got back from the trip. I bought two new apps and three albums. (Which by the way brings me up to four albums! Yes!!!)
Anyway one of the albums I got was Kari Jobe's "Where I Find You." Kari Jobe has always been one of my favorite worship artists but there was a song that struck a chord with me. There's a song called "We Are" and it talks about how we are the light of the world which is referenced from Jesus.
“You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its flavor, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled on by people. You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill cannot be hidden. People do not light a lamp and put it under a basket but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before people, so that they can see your good deeds and give honor to your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:13-16 NET)
Which is what we learned about last year at Winter White Wash! Like exactly. It's crazy how much this song reminds me of that trip last year. Its great to have the reminder! God is good!
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
The Importance of Prayer
I've found recently that there is a huge change in my walk with Jesus just from prayer alone. I have been keeping a prayer journal since I went with my church youth group to CIY last year. One of the speakers had a talk on prayer. I realized as I prayed more and more it became easier. It eventually becomes like talking to your closest friend but talking to God is way more then that...
God has recently become the person I run to during my day. Its really refreshing knowing that no matter what is going on in my life God will listen. No matter what state I'm in. I could run to my Heavenly Father in tears or elated about some accomplishment and the response is the same. I get this over whelming feeling of God saying "My son I am here with you. Through it all." This is quite amazing for a kid who never had an earthly father to run to.
Remember you can always run to Him for comfort or anything.
God has recently become the person I run to during my day. Its really refreshing knowing that no matter what is going on in my life God will listen. No matter what state I'm in. I could run to my Heavenly Father in tears or elated about some accomplishment and the response is the same. I get this over whelming feeling of God saying "My son I am here with you. Through it all." This is quite amazing for a kid who never had an earthly father to run to.
Remember you can always run to Him for comfort or anything.
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