"Sweetly Broken"

Good morning everyone!  I hope everyone that reads this is having a great day.  Here at KBM, on Tues., Thurs., and Fri. we start our morning off reading scripture and praying for certain issues that are going on in the lives of the staff and their loved ones.  This morning was really great, so when I went back to my desk I decided to continue the time with God.  When I do my devos I usually have some soft worship music playing in my headphones, it helps drown out the sounds of a typical office.  While reading the song "Sweetly Broken" by Jeremy Riddle came on.  I LOVE this song because it reminds me of the time when I was 23 when I accepted Christ into my life.  Music works that way for me, no matter what you are experiencing, there is a song that can totally sum it up.  The lyrics for "Sweetly Broken" go like this:  

To the cross I look, to the cross I cling
Of its suffering I do drink
Of its work I do sing

For on it my Savior both bruised and crushed
Showed that God is love
And God is just

Chorus:
At the cross You beckon me
You draw me gently to my knees, and I am
Lost for words, so lost in love,
I’m sweetly broken, wholly surrendered

What a priceless gift, undeserved life
Have I been given
Through Christ crucified

You’ve called me out of death
You’ve called me into life
And I was under Your wrath
Now through the cross I’m reconciled 

Chorus:

In awe of the cross I must confess
How wondrous Your redeeming love and
How great is Your faithfulness

As you read through I thing that it is easy to relate what you are reading.  The feeling is an amazing one and when I hear this song I relive that amazing day when Christ washed my sins away.  The song says, "At the cross Christ beckoned me" (and you).

   

beckon |ˈbekən|verb [ intrans. ]make a gesture with the hand, arm, or head to encourage someone to come nearer or follow.

Christ made this gesture with his hands, his arms, his head, his heart, his will, the rest of his body and his life.  He died for us so that we could come more near to him.  He wants to know us, he wants us to follow him bc he knows what is in store for those who love and follow him.  When I was "Sweetly Broken" I hit my knees, and as I remember I was lost for words because I weeped for a while before I could speak.  I was lost in the LOVE that Christ had for me, because previously I didn't even remotely follow him or have the desire to, but I felt his arms wrapped around me.  And finally I surrendered my whole life to him.  Christ called me out of sin (death) and called me into life (Christ), and by Christ's death we are reconciled.  That means our relationship with God is restored, we are on "good terms" again, with God.  Now we can see how wondrous his redeeming love is and how great his faithfulness is.  Download the song, it is powerful.  Now he I put links to my blog on myspace and facebook bc I hope that people will find their way too it.  So if you got here on accident or were just curious there is a reason.  I pray that there are some people that read this that don't know Christ yet, because you need to know that Christ wants a real, daily, intimate relationship with you.  And if he will forgive the guy that I used to be, then none of you will have a problem with it.  Jesus said that he is the way, the truth and the life and that no one gets to the father (God) except through him.  So don't waste anymore time, do it now.  While listening to that song I continued reading from 2 Cor. and I ran across a verse that really sums up the life that every Christian should strive to live.  In 2 Cor. 6:3-10 Paul writes, "³We put no stumbling block in anyone's path, so that our ministry will not be discredited.⁴Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; ⁵in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; ⁶in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; ⁷in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; ⁸through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; ⁹known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed;, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.  I think that Paul is really trying to explain to us what a Christian's life should look like.  Don't make anyone else stumble by how you live your life, commend ourselves in every way, no matter the situation don't lose our focus, with this we make others around us rich, and even if we don't have any material thing we posses everything.  I get chills reading this verse because that is the man that I long to be.  When Jesus walked the earth, that was the life he lived.  I challenge you that if you label yourself a Christian to do everything that you can to live your like ¹⁰sorrowful this verse instructs us to.  Sure you will sin, you will falter, but God is a redeeming God.  If we truly seek repentance then we will be forgiven.  However, repentance is not a desire to change, it is always an active response to God's word.  So practice what you preach, live a wholly surrendered life, and watch what God will do.  Thanks for those that are praying for me, I can sure feel it. Feel free to email me or whatever with any request that you may have.  We'll see ya...    

Its a beautiful day here in Aurora, CO...haha i bet yall wish you could see these breathtaking mountains every morning...sorry dad...haha...anyways...i was reading a little in the Bible this morning and Paul was talking about reconciliation and in 2 Cor. 5:18-21 he explains how all this reconciliation comes from God..

reconcile |ˈrekənˌsīl|verb [ trans. ] (often be reconciled) -restore friendly relations...Paul says in verse 18 God reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation...this means when we accept Christ as our Lord and savior that our relationship with God, the creator of heaven and earth, is restored...once the relationship was divided by sin but now, through Christ, it is totally restored....in the definition it says "restore friendly relations" so that means that we are God's friend!!!...does that not just pump you up?  The God of the universe WANTS to be our friend...we are just a little speck on the planet and he wants to be our friend...powerful huh?...and as mentioned earlier...Christ gave us the ministry of reconciliation as well, so he expects us to show this to others as well...so as children of God we cant hold other's sins against them...we have to imply the ministry of reconciliation so that we show them the love that Christ has for the world...20 we are therefore Christ's ambassadors as  though God were making his appeal through us...Wow!...sounds like we have a mission on our hands, and it comes from God...God wants to use us in incredible ways...1 Cor. 2:9 "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him"...that is one of the most powerful scriptures that i have read in a while...it just shows us that without a doubt God has a plan for those who loves him...it means he is going to blow our minds....use us in ways that are beyond our imagination....im ready to see how he is going to rock my world and the worlds of those around me that love the lord...it should be an everyday goal for all Christians to impact the life of someone else in a positive way...you never know who is watching, or who needs a kind word...well im gonna buckle down for some more office work, but ill update sometime soon...

PS...i am so thankful for all the prayers and support from my family and friends...it means a lot and it is surely needed day in and day out...God Bless!!!

an interesting Sunday...

Its pretty late now here in CO, but i have had quite a day...We went with some of the students of KBM's "The Experience" to Word of Life Christian Church in South Denver today...This is a charismatic church so naturally i was on edge when i went in...not bc i dont agree with the charismatic movement but bc you never know what to expect...they opened up with some worship...they had a phenomenal worship band and choir and they "threw down" as expected...for those who know me that was right up my alley...it reminded me of when i was in Africa worshiping with the people of Yaounde, Cameroon...jumping up and down singing at the top of their lungs...and then it just dawned on me...what would it be like when we go to heaven?...ill tell you right now you wont see me singing from a hymnal with a monotone voice...i would imagine everyone that is reading this would be right along with me worshiping just like the people of Yaounde, Cameroon or Word of Life Christian Church do it...for those that are saying, "yea but most of em are black" Nah not the case...there were just as many blacks as whites in there this morning and they all knew how to "cut tha rug" for the Lord...anyways...then the preacher gave his message...he was preaching from 1 Cor. 10:13 talking about the everyday battle that we have with temptation...and how God always gives us a way out and that we arent ever temped beyond what we can stand...and let me tell you he brought it this morning...He was preaching with authority to say the least...he might have looked at his notes 1 time...i knew what he was talking about...i invite you to check it out if you would like www.wolcc.net ...the only thing about charismatic churches that i dont understand is the speaking of tongues...ive heard a lot of views but i dont really know where i stand on it but agree or disagree ill tell ya that the spirit was in that church this morning and it was an awesome experience...i would highly consider making that my home church if i lived in Denver...but i have to get up bright and early tomorrow for another week at the office...tomorrow i should be finishing up the promo movie and a newsletter i have been writing to the 16 days students...all of you prayer warriors out there lift us up this week bc the enemy has been trying to us down...i know that satan is working his hardest when we are doing big things...this week we will be planning a lot of activities etc for the trips so hopefully all that will go well...more later but bed for now...we'll see ya...

ps i just beat bennett in darts 2 games to 1 Muhhahaha Muhahahah

Early Morning Devotions...

I have been very encouraged this morning...i got up at 6:45, took a shower, got dressed, and ate breakfast...when i was waiting for everyone to get ready to leave i read my emails...i had 3 emails from various people from my mom's church saying that they were praying for me...that really got my day off to a great start...it is very encouraging to know that i have people praying for me...when i got to the office i sat down to begin my work day with some devotions...i read in my experiencing God devotional book and in my upmost for his highest oswald chambers devotional book...i am also reading in 1 Cor. right now...1 Cor. 12: Paul says that There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in men... and then verse 12 goes on to say The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many they form one body.  So it is with Christ...for me this just reminds me of the fact that we that are in Christ are all different in many ways, but we are all on the same team and we are working for the same purpose....Jesus' blood washed all of our hearts clean the same way...Paul goes on to say in verse 21 The eye cannot say to the hand "I dont need you!"  And the head cannot say to the feet, "I dont need you!"...It seems to me that Paul is trying to create a visual picture to people of Corinth bc there was division in the church...just like Jesus used parables to speak Paul is trying to get the people to see his point...things cannot work for the glory of God if we are at each other's throats...I am on a team here at KBM and we all are on a team as Christians...we are all working for the same boss, which is Christ...Satan would love for us to be divided bc that will cause our team to fall apart...we need to be aware that the enemy is always looking to devour us and he would love to pounce on us when we let our guard down...working with others can be very difficult, but we need to remember that it is important that we stay together bc we are a body...and "if one part suffers every part suffers with it; and if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it...we are the body of Christ, and each one of you are a part of it"...I want thank any of you that are praying for me...i truly am blessed to have people that will take the time to do that for me...it means a lot....i miss my family...i miss my Laurel...and i miss my friends...but i am making more family and friends here...but im not making any new Laurels!!! haha <---that is my disclaimer....anyways...i know this is where God wants me to be and i am excited to see what he is going to teach me during this time...hopefully i will be adding more pictures and text sometime soon...take care and God bless!!!

Another day in the neighborhood...

The pic is of yours truly, Sara, Terrence, Andy and Bennett...The 16 Days Crew...Notice the Road kill i added to the road...haha... 2 Tim. 4:5
But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. My mom sent me this scripture this morning...this is a perfect passage to remind me that things arent always going to go smoothly out here this summer or even when i get back, but i have to constantly be aware of the enemy's desire to devour me...we are doing amazing things and the better we do the harder satan will pursuit us...i got asked to make a promo video for a camp next year and it will be shown at Ichthus, which is a music festival in Kentucky...we have come up with the idea of an office theme to connect with the students...it is going to be funny but get the point across...we started filming for it yesterday and i put some clips together and it is working out perfect...anyone out there that cares can pray for this video to go well bc it is going to be shown in front of thosands of people...i am so blessed to get oportunities like this and i have to give God the glory for all of this...I have completed my first week at KBM and i have really enjoied it...it is a great place with great staff...God is working between the walls of that place for sure!!!...i know God has a lot to show us and has a desire for us to grow closer to him while we are on this trip...i pray that the students that come to the experience and the students coming to 16 days will be stretched and will grow beyond belief...today we are going to work on the video some more, eat some sushi for lunch, and then tonight go to a church in downtown Denver called Scum of the Earth...sounds right up my alley huh?... check em out http://www.scumoftheearth.net/ their name is based on Paul's writings...To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world. (1 Corinthians 4:11-13) I am really looking forward to it...i am pumped to see what God is doing with the edgy faithful Christians out there...stay tuned for video updates, pics, etc... love yall all!!!

Guess What?

First off im new to this whole blog thing, so i can promise you that i prob wont write in complete sentences or spell things write all the time...haha i mean right ;)...anyways...for those who are close to me you know i have been out of town since last thurs. May 15...I flew up to Iowa to see my buddy Mitch Cartrette and Derik Idol...it was cool to see how God was working in their lives and in their church...i got an opportunity to speak at Mitch's young adult meeting, so that was cool to get to share my story...i have made a commitment to myself that everytime that God gives me a chance to share how he has changed my life, i will do it...this past Monday i flew to Colorado for a summer job with KBM (Kingdom Building Ministries)...i have been so excited to embark on this journey that awaits me...i am going to be here in Colorado for 2 months working with high school kids...i am driving an RV for a program called 16 days...it is designed to stretch the faith of the kids that participate in it...back to the plane ride...i was really ready to get to Colorado and our flight was taking a while bc people were waiting to see if they could get a spot on the plane...10 people got lucky enough to get a spot...one of them sat right beside me...i introduced myself to him and started some small talk...i forgot his name som we can call him "Bob"...he was coming from his brother in law's graduation in IL, he had to go back to work the next day...i told him about what i was doing in Colorado and we talked a little more in depth about that...then when the captain gave us the ok i turned on my electronic device (ipod) and proceeded to jam out to some david crowder...i am so add and i needed to do something so i pulled out a book ive been trying to finish for ever called unChristian...i was finishing up a chapter on sheltered Christians and i just felt a nudge from God...spark up a spiritual convo with "Bob"...i continued to read and decided i would finish the chapter first then in the book it mentioned staying connected to the surrounding world through tv, internet, newspapers, and then it suggested to buy The New Yorker magazine...guess what ol "Bob" was reading...so i was like God is trying to tell me something obviously...so i sparked up a convo about sushi in Denver and then i was like so what about you "Bob" are you religious or spiritual at all? he said no i believe that people are usually influenced by their surroundings when it comes to spiritual or religious beliefs...i said a little prayer and knew why God had be nudging me...so i said asked what he believed about creation and he said that he believed in evolution but couldnt give me an answer to the ? of how the world was created...he also had no idea or opinion on where we go when we die...he said we just die...i continued to pick his brain and he said since his 6 week yr old daughter was born he had started thinking about things a lot more...pray for "Bob" and the other people out there that are confused and stuck in the rut of worldly views...i wish i would have started the convo earlier bc then i could have shared more about how Christ can work in our lives but God will use someone to pick up where i left off...i landed in Colorado and me Terrence and Andy...Terrence works for KBM and Andy is an intern...we went and ate and then i met the family i am staying with for the 3 weeks im at the office...Louren and Cheryl Hayes and their son Jonah...they are a happily married couple in their 30's that welcomed me with open arms to say the least...i was weary about staying with random people but it doesnt get any better than this...i have a bed in the basement and home cooked food...Bennett is another summer worker and he is staying in the basement too...KBM is an awesome place to work for...on Tuesday, which was my first day, the whole office gathered in the conference room to pray...we read scripture and mentioned prayer request and split up in groups and prayed over the requests...then the day began...there are 2 big programs going on this summer at KBM...the experience and 16 days...we had to trace these promo signs out and cut them out of cardboard...then paint them...now 3 days later they are done...so that pretty much sums it up for now...im sleepy but more later stay tuned....