In Spirit and Word

An interesting quote from my pastor today struck me: "If you have all Spirit and no word, you'll blow up, if you have all Word and no Spirit you'll dry up, you have all Spirit and all Word, then you'll grow up." This meant alot to me cause it is full of so much truth and is worthy of expounding. If we are like traditional pentecostals, then we will be screaming, dancing, and crazy people that have no discipline and just do what they think is the spirit but merely feels good. If we are like traditional conservatives, then we will be so into the written word that we don't even allow the Spirit to guide us. Both are the wrong point of view. The truth is that if we are either, then we have none. Since the spirit and the word are so connected that if we listen to God's Spirit then it will give an even stronger desire for getting into God's word and if we are in depth with God's word then we will learn that it is the Spirit that guides us in our daily actions, but the Spirit will never prompt us to do anything that is unbiblical. In truth, if we know one then we will know both. So many conservative bible believing churches seem dead and so many pentecostal churches that get excited during worship and are on fire for God seem to be weak theologically and seem to accept anyone and anything even if it is sinful. We must be uncompromising in our beliefs but must also check our beliefs with what the bible says and be open to how the Spirit will lead those beliefs into practice and daily actions.

Inside Out!

Listening to a new PureNRG song the other day called Inside Out, I got this idea. The purpose of the song was saying like, "God, turn my life around, change me, turn me inside out." But, the idea came to me of a prayer to God in these difficult times to be a true witness for Him. To see what is in our hearts, inside us, and to bring it to the outside to our actions what our hearts truly feel. So, in a sense, to turn us Inside-out. What a prayer we should be praying everyday. To make us show on the outside what our inside is screaming for us too.

The Glass Room

In the week I was in Nicaragua, I can only recall one time where I felt depressed and sad. This one moment was the biggest growth for me as well. The following sketch is how God dealt with me spiritually during that time.

Imagine two plexiglass rooms right next to each other, both soundproof with a door unlocked but closed inbetween the two. I am in one room alone and in the other, my friends. The room my friends are in, they are having a party and a fun time without me. They are laughing and telling jokes, but I can't hear them and they can't hear me. I could open the door and walk in, but I am proud and don't want to look awkward so I just wait hoping that at least one of them will open the door and join me here, or at least come in and bring me back to their room, but nothing happens. They just continue and I am there alone. A few times one opens the door and tells me to join them, but then closes it promptly. I feel so alone and dejected. After a while I check myself and think about just how ridiculous my feelings are. Suddenly, Jesus puts His hand on my shoulder and I turn around to see that He was there all along, I was just looking the wrong way. "My child. My child," He says. Then we both sit down and have a long discussion. He shows me, once more, that I was looking at the situation the wrong way. The fact is, that I don't need friends, because I already have the best and only friend I need. Even though christian friends are very important, they aren't essential and if we only seek God's kingdom first, then He will give us all that we need.

A New Post

So, it's been a long time since my last post. The reason is pretty good. I have been in Nicaragua having the new best time of my life. Being there for the past eight days has really impacted me. God kept showing new things to me and helping me get closer to him as I ministered to the people down there and spent time with other people in my group. Unfortunately, there was so much stuff we did that I couldn't begin to tell everything, but I am putting up Facebook Albums. Those explain pretty well what we did. I hope to do more blogs and posts about how God has impacted me in the near future. But for now, just saying that I'm back and so glad to be a part of God's family. In all things, To God be the Glory.

Funny, Funny

So, we got this old tv show from the library called Mork & Mindy right? So, it's like the introducing show for Robin Williams and I soooo love it! The basic storyline is this alien(Mork) that travels to earth to observe earth customs while staying at human's home(Mindy). Robin Williams makes the show and he is just too funny. He makes weird noises, imitates famous movie parts, and one of my favorites, says what he is feeling and how he shows it before he actually does such as once he came into a store where this man was killed and the widow was sitting there crying. He comes in, looking at her says, "Who's the grouch?" Mindy replies, "Oh don't be unfeeling Mork, try to act like a human!" Mork looks again at the woman, then starts bawling himself thinking this was normal behavior. Mindy says, "Mork, she just lost her husband." Mork turns to the widow and says, "Don't worry, he'll turn up." The lady cries even louder and Mindy says, "No Mork, her husband just died!" Mork looks back and says, "Oh no! Confusion! Embarrassment! Look of sincere empathy!" Then puts on this extremely funny face.
Anyway, it is sooo funny to me! I haven't laughed out loud so much watching something for a long, long time! It's very clean too compared to sitcoms nowadays. I recommend it very much!

ARDENT PRAISE!

Think on this: "When you are in church worshiping, you are worshiping God." . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Think about that! It grieves me so much when I see churches nowadays where the people sing hymns with an apathetic look on their faces, where they don't get excited, where they don't get joyful, instead, they act like it's an obligation they have to do one day a week. Where it's nice music to listen to and it's all well and good, but nothing special! Oh how I pity them. It makes me so sad when people don't appreciate worship. Think about it, coming together and praising God is something worth getting excited over! I will lift my hands up, I will clap them, I will jump for joy, I will shout with a loud voice, I will laugh, and I will cry when I hear glory being given to Him because everything I mentioned, is in the bible as things we should do, and because I GET EXCITED ABOUT WORSHIPPING MY GOD!!! I challenge you, if you do not feel an urge of God's spirit everytime you stand there and sing His praise, then you are not right with God! Now, I understand some people show their feelings differently; some just sway in reverence, others raise their hands, some dance for joy, but I believe their should be expression in worship! If people can get more excited about worshipping a football player when he scores a touchdown than when they are worshiping GOD, then how can they say they are christians?
Unfortunately, most churches that are conservative and Bible-believing lack the openness in expression because they feel like they have to be a serious example to other liberal religions. But I say they are forsaking their first love! Just like the Corinthians. Paul in his second letter kept saying how good their work was and complimenting them on their progress but he also said this . . ."You have forgotten your first love . . ." It is possible to get so tied up in working for the Lord that you forget why you are working for him.
Those who lead worship should be even better examples. Some may say they are bringing attention to themselves when musicians and singers put their bodies into their music, but I say that only God knows their hearts and if they feel God's Joy filling them so much that they can't hold themselves back, then GOOD FOR THEM! And remember, it isn't how you act when all others are doing what is right, but when everyone else is doing what you know is wrong.
I challenge you to look into your hearts and see the last time that you genuinely got excited about worshipping God; so much so that you didn't care if people looked at you when you raised your hands, so much that you didn't care if you were the only one clapping, so much that you didn't care if everyone else with just mouthing the words and you were screaming them out! When was the last time??? Lately I have been attending a church where besides me on the guitar and a pianist and two singers, there is nothing else to prompt the worship except God's spirit. And I feel like I appreciate His worship more than ever now and when I hear extravagant production and incredible talent in worship, I feel so blessed to be participating in such.
Let me end with one question to you.
Is worshiping GOD enough to get excited over? You decide.

100th Post

So this is my 100th post so far. Not that this one is all that special, but it makes for a good title, huh?
Anyway, I got Sanctus Real's We Need Each Other. I'm very happy with it. Like Evan said, it isn't as good as Fight the Tide or Face of Love, but it is a very solid album. I love the first two songs and even though these are the only two GREAT songs off the album, so far in my opinion, but it would be hard to contend with such a great calibur of albums. I am in no way disapointed.
I have finished my third Misheard Lyrics for Building 429's Glory Defined. I thought it would be easy since the singer has a gruff voice, but even though it is a little raspy, he sings with very clear pronunciation and this made it hard. I think it turned out good.
Here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZuTVSHWUSw
As a side note, my next I think is going to be a P.O.D. song.

On the Day of My Birth

Looking back today, I see my life. Looking through my experiences, the places I've been, what I've done, . . . . Who I've met, at some points I feel like crying, some like laughing, some in reverence, some in joy. How could I possibly be only 17 years old and yet have so many memories. Living in 6 different states, and 6 different places in Maine and Massachusets. I've been to both sides of the U.S., Canada, and to other countries. I have been to dozen of churches and have made acquaintances with thousands. I have seen God work miracles, on others and myself. I have been through trials, temptations, Mountain Peaks, valleys, hardships, blessings, and times of uncertainty. I have come through some victoriously, some, so much more than should, unvictoriously, but all for God's glory. I have been through more than even my dearest friends could ever know. I have enough memories to last two lifetimes. Over and over again, God has proven himself to me. I have become at times, dependant solely on God because nothing else was consistent in my life. I have become so much good friends with my savior, Jesus, that I, everyday, talk with Him regularly, outloud, as if talking to a friend right next to me. Unfortunately, I fail Him everyday, even every hour, I don't give Him glory for everything I do as I should, and I sin so much, it sickens me. Thank God that I have a savior. Even now, on my 17th birthday, I know God is working on me, making me more like Him. How unworthy, but yet so grateful I am. I hope and pray that this year, God will use me for His will and that I, in this crucial and deciding year in my life, will look to Him and His word solely for Guidance. As I have said before, it doesn't matter how old I get, but even on my Deathbed, I want it to be said of me that whatever I did, whether good or bad, it was all for the glory of my God. So be it!

A New Song

The following is the lyrics to the chorus of a new song I'm writing. It's about missions and going out and spreading God's word everywhere.

Lord, I thanked when the sunshine came
But I'll still praise you in the pouring rain

God, I will do whatever needs to be done
In freezing cold or in the blazing sun

I will SPREAD YOUR WORD

To the very ends of earth
Until every ear has heard

I will SPREAD YOUR WORD

Unto all who gather here
To the end of every spear

Lord, I will go where ever you will send me
Across the street or to the farthest sea

To giant glaciers or the dunes of sand
To every nation, every tongue and land

THEY WILL HEAR!

Closing: And lo, I am with you, to the very ends of earth . . . to the very ends of earth.

A Poem: Richard Cory

Whenever Richard Cory went down town,
We people on the pavement looked at him;
He was a gentleman from sole to crown,
Clean favored and imperially slim.

And he was always quietly arrayed,
And he was always human when he talked;
But still he fluttered pulses when he said,
"Good morning," and he glittered when he walked.

And he was rich--yes, richer than a King--
And admirably schooled in every grace;
In fine, we thought that he was everything
To make us wish that we were in his place.

So on we worked, and waited for the light,
And went without the meat, and cursed the bread;
And Richard Cory, one calm summer night,
Went home and put a bullet through his head.