The All Nighter

Today was a fun day, got up around six thirty this morning for prayer meeting at the church. Did that and got prepared to do the message this morning for the teens. It went well from what I was told but it wasn’t me. I’m just the middle man. I took the words that God had already given me and expounding on it. Hopefully it made an impact in someone’s life today. Even if I never see it take place I sure hope that one day down the road someone will be able to come along and pick up where I left off. After church we took the graduates out to a barbeque place called City Barbeque. That was a lot of fun; we had lunch and just had a lot of fun talking about different things and laughing about old times and new times to come. After lunch I went back to my room and tried to get some sleep but that just didn’t happen. So it is now six thirty Monday morning and I’ve been up twenty four hours and still counting. I am extremely tired but it’s been worth it. Church started around six o’clock and it was the teen service so we had skits and duets done by several of the teens in the group and they did an amazing job. The copies of the skits are actually up on YouTube. The message was brought by both me and another teen in the group. It was a really great time. He spoke about trusting in God to strengthen us and that He will always provide for those that listen to Him and serve Him with all of their being. After he got done I got up and spoke about how even outcasts can be used by God and how one of the greatest outcasts out of the Bible ended up turning into a man after God’s own heart. I don’t know how well that went over because I was the one that was giving it but I think it went well. Again, hopefully God will use my words to speak to the hearts of the people in the congregation. If I don’t see any fruit during my time here I know that God will send someone to reap the harvest that He has laid forth for them. After the services we had our monthly Sunday night after church (SNAC) night and it was a blast. We had sandwiches, cake, watermelon and so much more and I’m so thankful for the ladies that provided and put forth the effort so that we were able to have such a good time. After we ate we played noodle hockey which is a weird game where you have a ball and pool noodles and you try to get the ball into the goal. It was strangely a lot of fun and the teens really loved it. After that we played slam ball or kill as they call it here. Slam ball is a game where a group of people stand in a circle and pass volleyball back and forth and try to hit someone in the middle on the third hit. It’s a lot of fun but can be really dangerous. We played that for a good while and finally it was time for all the girls to leave and the guys to start chilling as we started our all nighters. That was a blast in of itself. We played pool video games a weird version of hide and seek and basketball. It was just an awesome time that I got to spend with a few guys from the youth group. Now the morning is slowing coming to a close and I’m completely exhausted. My body, my mind, and most importantly my head are all saying bed time so hopefully I’ll get to go to bed pretty soon if I don’t all well at least I’ll get a chance to try to sleep whether it works or not is still up in the air. The greatest thing I’m learning from my time in Ohio is that people are so alike. It doesn’t matter if you’re from the north the south the east or the west. We’re all the same and we’re all God’s children. He watches over us, protects us, and comforts us. I’m so thankful for such a loving Father, Friend, and God. He is truly blessing me this summer with memories that will last a lifetime, and lessons that will always be applicable.

The First Days

So the past couple of days have been interesting. I got up Friday morning around five thirty and got my stuff loaded up in my truck and set out for Findlay Ohio around seven that morning. Twelve hours later I finally made. Everything went really well. I didn’t have any trouble getting here. I did have to drive through rain for a pretty good while but nothing major.

Finally got to Findlay and got everything moved into my room, which took a lot less time than it did to move out of my dorm room. Thank you Jesus for elevators. I got everything moved in and I was exhausted. After doing devotions with Kara I went to bed. Saturday morning I got up and went up to the church to start meeting people and getting to know the lay of the land so to speak.

Everyone was really nice and the church is really nice as well. So far I know a dozen or so names and I have so many more that I’m going to have to learn. I’m up for the challenge though. After hanging out at the church I went over to the pastor’s house and had dinner with him and his family. They are really nice. They’ve got two little girls that are a hand full and are expecting a baby boy in a couple months. After I had dinner with them I went to Wal-Mart and bought some food and things for my stay here. Then I crashed only to have to get up at six the following morning.

This morning came really early because I had to be at church by seven for prayer meeting. We did that then took care of some other business before church started. Finally we started Sunday school and that was interesting. It was different than what I’ve been used to but it’s been nice. I’m looking forward to getting to run it in the future.

I got to sit through the service this morning and I really liked it. The mix of hymns and contemporary music was nice. It wasn’t like two different types of music but instead one session just singing praise and worship to God. Brother Mike got up and did the message and it was a good message. He talked about building a relationship with God and using the right materials. Not being content with hay and stubble but instead building the relationship with gold and silver.

The gist of the message was to have built your relationship with Christ in such a way that when hard times come your direction you’ll be able to stand the test of fire, where hay and grass would burn gold and silver stay. So ya I’m really excited about this summer and really looking forward to growing in Christ and my new church family. This is going to be a great summer. God is going to do something great!!!

The Night Before

So the last couple of days have been interesting. Yesterday I’ll be honest was horrible. I was doing really good until about one thirty then everything from the past few weeks finally started to hit home. Friday the fourteenth I’ll be headed to Ohio to start my internship. I’m freaking out about that right now and yesterday the love of my life was suddenly pulled away from me. She is still there but instead of getting a couple more days to spend together she left to go home Wednesday instead of us saying good bye Friday.

I wanted so bad to say goodbye with a smile on my face but circumstances just didn’t let that happen. Well I say that, we said good bye with smiles on our faces but that was only after a decent amount of crying from both of us. Needless to say Wednesday, which should have been a great day was a day that was hard to go through.

Today wasn’t so bad except when I got up this morning I struggled a lot and really didn’t want to get up. I’ve been helping out with security this week and for the most part it hasn’t been too bad. Only occasionally did we have to deal with annoying people because they weren’t getting their way. Unfortunately today we got hit with a pretty good storm. At one point we were under a tornado watch. The fun part was my friend Mike who works on security was at the station with me today and we had to direct traffic while we were in the warning.

So needless to say we had an interesting time. We were pretty much soaked after a few minutes but after the storm passed it wasn’t too bad of a day. I got my room emptied into my truck and now I’m thinking I need to invest in either a cover for the bed of my truck or a crew cab instead of extended cab. My truck cab is full as can be and there are some things that are having to go in the bed. Unfortunately it is supposed to rain tomorrow so I’ve got everything back there in trash bags.

After a ridiculous amount of moving things around and several trips up and down the stairs I called it a day. After being completely exhausted and ready to pass out I got to talk to a friend for a few. I really needed the talk, I feel so much better about this summer now. I’m glad to know that the person I care about the most in Springfield is going to have such good friends around her while I’m away. It’s really comforting to know that they will help her and watch out for her while I’m unable to.

So now that I’m wore out and ready for a nap I’ve got just a few more things to do then I can finally hit the hay only to get up at seven and leave for Ohio. In the morning I have a few more things to move out and take care of then as soon as that is taken care of I’m hitting the road. I’m extremely nervous about this summer. I’m excited to be going but I’m sad that I’m leaving my home behind. I’ve only been here a school year but BBC has become my home more than some places that I’ve lived in for years.

I’ve made some really good friends and I’m met some amazing people. God has truly blessed me and taught me so much this past year. I know I’ll never reach the goal that I’ve set forth but I truly believe that I’m making progress towards becoming a better man. I love my girlfriend and I love my friends. I love BBC and I love the professors that I have. I love the topics I’m being taught and I love my church. God truly is filling my heart with love for all things around me. I can even say I love my job and the people that I work with. God truly is amazing. ;)

Another Day

Today was an interesting day. I got up at six something this morning to help out with security. So you can understand why I’m so stinking tired right now. We got out and started helping people figure out where to park and how to get where they needed to go. All in all it was a fairly uneventful day. The only exception was we had one fellow that lived in the area and was rather unhappy that we had some of the streets blocked off for safety reasons. After we dealt with him the day went by without much of anything else happening.

After I got done helping security I rested and took a shower, got cleaned up and went to dinner my girlfriend Pastor and wife. We went to outback steakhouse and just enjoyed a time where we could talk and enjoy ourselves. After dinner we came back to the school and went to the fellowship meeting tonight. It was a good topic to talk about but I don’t think anything changed from before.

Like I said today was a fairly uneventful day, except for the fact that Kara has decided to leave Wednesday. I don’t know how to respond. I’m really hurting from it because I wanted to spend Thursday night with her before I had to leave but now I won’t get to do that. I don’t even know if I’ll get to see her before she leaves since they’re leaving after lunch and I don’t get off till after lunch.

I wish I could say that this was a cake walk for me because that’d be easier. Unfortunately it is not easy. I’m going to miss her so much. I haven’t allowed myself to feel the hurt but its coming on now. I doubt I get much sleep tonight because of it, which is going to stink because I have to get up at six something tomorrow morning too. Well the only thing I can do now is to close my eyes and pray that the pain won’t last.

Another Day

Today was a day like most others. I actually got a decent amount of sleep in so that was nice. Went to lunch, of course its BBC so that wasn’t that great, but hey it was lunch so I’m not complaining. ;) After lunch I came back to my room and spent some time reading and praying. Mainly praying, just thanking God for everything in my life and remembering how blessed I am to have the friends and family that I have. That and I just wanted to pray for all those people that have been on my heart lately or have asked me to pray for them.

I think I’m going to start a prayer list whenever I get to Ohio that way I don’t forget anyone. Though I don’t know why I’m waiting until then I should just go ahead and start now. Why is it that we tend to put things off when we could just start today? I think that’s a real problem that Christians face these days. We are constantly busy doing other things that we opportunities to serve God come along we forget about them or don’t stop and jump at them.

I think that is going to be at the top of my list right along with a sense of revival for not only our country but myself and the individuals that make up our churches and schools today. Revival doesn’t start on a massive scale but instead it starts in the heart of individual people. So at the top of my list will be a revival in our hearts and that our hearts will be burdened to serve.

So after I did some reading and praying some friends and I went over to Brother Terry Wallace’s house where we got to meet his beautiful and wonderful wife and just spend time with an awesome and amazing man. I’m really thankful to have him as not only a professor but a friend as well. Mrs. Wallace made homemade pizza for us which was amazing, Little Caesar’s has nothing on her. It was just nice to be in a loving atmosphere where we were loved. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt that.

After dinner was over my friends and I finally made it to our fellowship meeting and thankfully we weren’t late to it though we were a little underdressed since everyone but us were dressed in coats and ties where we were dressed in jeans and tshirts ;) Its all good though. The message that was brought to us was really good. It seems like I’m not the only one praying for revival in our churches and country because that’s exactly what the pastor spoke about.

I truly hope we all leave this week having our hearts touched by the Spirit and when we go out to our respective places we will continue spreading the fire that is being stoked this week. I know I’m personally freaking out that I’m going to fail when I get to Ohio and start serving as the youth pastor but I know God is going to be there with me so I won’t have anything to worry about. If we give everything we have for Him we will never fall on our faces because He will always catch us and put us back on our feet.

I’m so thankful to serve an awesome and mighty God. He is someone who loves me and cherishes me. I know no matter what happens in my life He will always have His hand there to comfort me and give me strength. Lord, please just burden not only my heart but all those around me as well. Burden our hearts for service and revival so that we will spread your Spirit like the disciples did during the early days. Let us be an example to those around us. Allow us to shine a light in the darkness that is America today. Work through us to bring the glory, praise, and honor to You.

Another Day of my Life

Today seems to have been one of those days for me. Really didn't want to get up this morning because I was so tired even though I went to bed at a decent hour last night but I really struggled getting up. Though once I did it wasn't bad. Went to church where I got to see a video that one of the girls in my college class made about our class. It was really good; I really do love my college class. Chuck our leader talked friendship and maintaining those friendships. Yet it was more than that, it was about us striving to keep those friendships strong even though we may be far apart and how we need to move past our likes and dislikes and love each other as Christ commands us.

Our group isn’t bad about cliques but there are times when there is tension among us. I know I’m as much at fault as anyone else but I hope that in the future I’ll be better at loving those around me. In the main service Pastor Mark talked about Jesus and the feeding of the five thousand. In a way I was a little turned off because he wasn’t really teaching the Bible but it was still a good message and I understand why he did it. He talked about the boy and how his mother must have felt by the way the boy acted.

He talked about how being a mother is about the little things. It’s not about the recognition that mothers receive because in so many ways it’s a thankless job. Also he talked about how being a mother is a ministry of itself. Teaching and spending time with her kids. Showing them the stories in the Bible and how great and amazing God is. Being a mother is a job few can handle but so many seek after. I know for a fact that my mom is one of those women that can handle it. She is an amazing woman and I am so blessed to have her as my mother.

She taught me so much and instilled in me such strong morals. I don’t think I could be the person I am today if she hadn’t been as understanding and loving as she was. I don’t know if she’ll read this but I love her so much and I always will.

After church got out Kevin and I finished working on Shellie’s car. She got the new fuel pump and filter and we got it put on. Dropped it in put everything back together and it cranked right up. She was excited to finally have her car back and I’m thankful that I was able to help her out and save her a lot of time and money. She could’ve taken it to a shop but between Kevin and me we were able to save her several hundred dollars worth of labor fees. So the Lord definitely had His hand there and helped all of us out.

I really do love working on cars. I’m completely and utterly filthy afterward but I don’t know it’s just an amazing feeling knowing that I took something apart and put it back together again. I marvel at the feeling because the idea that God created us all is such an awesome idea. I get excited when I know that I changed the oil in my truck right. How happy He must have felt after the creation was over and here we are taking advantage of His blessings.

I hope to one day be able to say that I ran the good race and finished it. I want to make Him proud of me so when I get to heaven He’ll look at me and say “well done my good and faithful servant.” All in all it wasn’t a bad day. Church tonight wasn’t bad either. He did preach the Bible this time. He spoke out of Ephesians 5 about being filled with the Holy Spirit. He challenged us to be in His word and learn more about whom He is and what He wants for our lives. There is so much more that went on today that I could talk about but the biggest thing is that I’m thankful for the mother that I have the friends that are around me and the most important part, God and all that He does for not only me but for each and everyone in this world. He truly is a good and loving God.

Day to Day

Today was an interesting day. Got up and got fitted for a tux for my best friend Tim's wedding. That didn't take hardly anytime. It took longer to return my friend Darrin's stuff than it did to have my measurements taken. After that I went to go help my friends Shellie and Kevin work on Shellie's car. The fuel pump went bad on it so Kevin and I spent a good little while working on it and finally got the tank out so we could get to the pump. Tested it and discovered that that was the problem for sure. I really feel bad for Shellie because the headache of all of this.

It drives me nuts when I go home and don't have a ride let alone having a ride yet not being able to use it cause its out of commission, but we should have it all put back together after church tomorrow. ;) I really do love working on cars but more than that I love helping my friends out and learning more about the cars that I'm working on. God truly is great. Its only by His grace that I even have my job at Autozone so its only by His grace that I know so much about cars.

I truly am thankful for the blessings in my life. I discovered yesterday while helping a customer that I apparently know more about body work than I realized. It surprised me because body work isn't easy and it usually takes a lot to do, but I trust in the Lord and He gives me the knowledge that I need to not only help my the customers that come into the store but also being able to give my friends a hand on their own cars.

After helping them out I got cleaned up then headed out to Adam and Valerie Gleason's house for my college class from church's graduation party. Not everyone got to make it but it was a fun night anyway. We played catch with the Frisbee for awhile then we started playing volleyball, or at least that is what we were supposed to be playing. It more consisted of us hitting the ball then having Jacob my college director's son chase after it. Finally the hot dogs and hamburgers were done so we ate then relaxed the rest of the night.

We sat around a fire for a long time. Smores are awesome by the way, and Kim our only senior almost melted her shoes by warming her feet by the fire. ;) I love my college class at Baptist Temple. We are an interesting group but we are all unique in our own way and love the Lord so much. We truly are blessed to have the group that we have and the leaders that are there for us. I'm so thankful for Chuck and Mandy Snyder. Chuck and I may be taking many of the same classes but I really respect him and value his opinion and Mandy is such an amazing woman. She sets an amazing example for all of the women in our class. Again I'm so thankful to have them leading us.

All in all a good day. I have a lot of fun and managed to wear myself out from constantly going all day. Tomorrow will probably be about the same. Which means after church tomorrow night I'm gonna relax cause starting Tuesday my days are going to start being long then Friday the 14th I'm moving to Findlay, Ohio for an internship.

I'm really excited about it. Of course I'm really nervous about it too but I know that the Lord wouldn't send me somewhere that He doesn't already have a plan in store. If we trust in Him and follow Him with everything we are and seek to follow His plan for us we will never fall on our faces because He will always be there to catch us.