tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54146538776066643622024-03-13T22:16:57.670-07:00dan in real life...danteaguehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971856373641728276noreply@blogger.comBlogger113125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414653877606664362.post-72747165804473025702012-08-26T19:28:00.001-07:002012-08-26T19:32:54.465-07:00overruled.<span style="background-color: #444444;">life. it has been crazy over the past few months with camp, traveling, getting back to work, etc. but honestly i cant complain. yes, blogging has been tossed around in the air while all these adventures have been occurring, but i just never really had the time; and if i did, i spent it doing something that seemed more productive. so, please accept my dearest apologizes for those of you who actually read and missed reading...</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #444444;">well i would like to start off and say that i will NOT be blogging about camp. yes, that has been the whole highlight of my summer and i do want to share what the Lord has taught me, but right now i only have time for a short-er post which is in light of revival this past week...</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #444444;">revival at church was phenomenal. the theme was "Come Near." God was speaking and moving hearts. it was so incredible to see. our revival speaker was truly one amazing man of God and i was so blessed with him sharing his and the Lord's heart with me and my church family. and i would like to share with you the main thing the Lord laid on my heart pre/during/post revival.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #444444;">since the summer has come to a close, i have processed a lot of things from the summer. one being the things that i am passionate about. and i cant believe that i am about to say this, but speaking in front of others has become one of my passions. never in a million years would i find myself saying that. this is only due to the fact that i hate being in front of people. i may look comfortable, but on the inside i am not. my heart is for discipleship and for small group. this is because i love pouring into people on a small scale basis. but since camp, or rather since i have become a camp pastor, God has really been laying on my heart the desire of preaching the gospel from the stage. now here is your disclaimer: I DO NOT KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS RIGHT NOW SO YOU WILL HAVE TO STAY TUNED FOR MORE INFO AS TIME GOES ON.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #444444;">fast forwarding to this past week. i got some time to sit down and discuss this in short with the revival speaker. his first reaction was, "Go to New Orleans Seminary". my first reaction in my head was, "Why does it have to be New Orleans?" clearly that is where he went, and thats where he is going to encourage people to go, but that wasnt really an issue. the next thing that he said really got me thinking and i agreed with him 100%. he told me that things like seminary school allow you to do something that we call "sharpening your sword. When we sharpen our swords, God will provide the battle." that is a beautiful statement. it goes right into being obedient to the Lord's calling in our lives. in <span style="color: lime;">Matthew 28</span> we see this call to "GO" in what bible readers call the Great Commission. it says, <span class="text Matt-28-18" id="en-NIV-24214" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><sup class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;"> <span style="color: lime;">"</span></sup><span style="color: lime;">Then Jesus came to them and said, <span class="woj">“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. <sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-24214Q" title="See cross-reference Q">Q</a>)"></sup></span></span></span><span style="color: lime;"><span style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"></span><span class="text Matt-28-19" id="en-NIV-24215" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">19 </sup>Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, <sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-24215R" title="See cross-reference R">R</a>)"></sup>baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, <sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-24215S" title="See cross-reference S">S</a>)"></sup></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"></span><span class="text Matt-28-20" id="en-NIV-24216" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">20 </sup>and teaching <sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-24216T" title="See cross-reference T">T</a>)"></sup>them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you <sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-24216U" title="See cross-reference U">U</a>)"></sup>always, to the very end of the age." [Matthew 28:18-20]</span></span></span> now this passage of scripture has so many implications that we could dive into, but the one i want to point out, which is the most obvious one because we have been talking about it, is the word "GO". notice that it is a command. not a suggestion. and its implications are weighty. the word in the Greek actually means to continue on in the journey. which journey is that? the one that the Lord has laid out for you. how can we know that? only if we have a relationship with him and seek after His will for our lives. part of that "<span style="color: lime;">good, pleasing, and perfect will of God</span>"<span style="color: lime;"> [Romans 12:1-2]</span> is GOing as this passage suggests. but what this word ALSO means is "to imitate one, or to follow his ways". now that has some pretty big implications in itself as well. <span style="color: lime;">John 8:29 </span>says, <span style="color: lime;">"<span style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, </span><sup class="crossreference" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26411AH" title="See cross-reference AH">AH</a>)"></sup></span><span style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: lime;">for I always do what pleases him."</span> </span>as a believer my whole goal is to be like Christ, and if everything Christ did was to please God then i must respond in that same way. i MUST do all things to please Him--and if that is GOing then i must do so.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #444444;">now on to the thought that came after revival service on wednesday. this situation that i was placed in was not one that i enjoyed at all, but it really got my heart thinking. during invitation on wednesday night the revival pastor looked at me and motioned for me to come down to the alter. not once, but twice. and i was not ok with that. the implications were that i needed to make a decision. now for me and anyone else who knows about invitation time, one--you never want to manipulate the invitation time, and two--any decision that i make for the Lord i would have discerned for myself. im not saying that the pastor knew better than i did, im just saying that i would have been able to discern that for myself, and i was not being led to make a decision in the way that the pastor wanted me to. but it got me thinking. specifically about where i am at and what im doing with my life. that night before i laid my pretty little head down to sleep i really opened up to the Lord and asked Him desperately to speak to me. needless to say, He did. that very next morning i read a beautiful passage in 1 Samuel 18. it is as follows:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #444444; color: lime; font-size: x-small;"><span class="text 1Sam-18-1">After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-7678A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup>became one in spirit with David, and he loved <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-7678B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup>him as himself. </span><span class="text 1Sam-18-2" id="en-NIV-7679">From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family.</span> <span class="text 1Sam-18-3" id="en-NIV-7680">And Jonathan made a covenant <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-7680D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></sup>with David because he loved him as himself.</span> <span class="text 1Sam-18-4" id="en-NIV-7681">Jonathan took off the robe <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-7681E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)"></sup>he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt.<b> </b></span><span class="text 1Sam-18-5" id="en-NIV-7682">Whatever mission Saul sent him on, David was so successful <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-7682G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)"></sup>that Saul gave him a high rank in the army. <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-7682H" title="See cross-reference H">H</a>)"></sup>This pleased all the troops, and Saul’s officers as well. </span><span class="text 1Sam-18-6" id="en-NIV-7683">When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-7683I" title="See cross-reference I">I</a>)"></sup>with joyful songs and with timbrels <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-7683J" title="See cross-reference J">J</a>)"></sup>and lyres.</span> <span class="text 1Sam-18-7" id="en-NIV-7684">As they danced, they sang:</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #444444; color: lime; font-size: x-small;"><span class="text 1Sam-18-7" style="position: relative;">“Saul has slain his thousands,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text 1Sam-18-7" style="position: relative;">and David his tens <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-7684L" title="See cross-reference L">L</a>)"></sup>of thousands.”</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #444444; color: lime; font-size: x-small;"><span class="text 1Sam-18-8" id="en-NIV-7685">Saul was very angry; this refrain displeased him greatly. “They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom? <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-7685M" title="See cross-reference M">M</a>)"></sup>”</span><span class="text 1Sam-18-9" id="en-NIV-7686"><sup class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;"> </sup>And from that time on Saul kept a close<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-7686N" title="See cross-reference N">N</a>)"></sup>eye on David. </span><span class="text 1Sam-18-10" id="en-NIV-7687">The next day an evil</span><span class="text 1Sam-18-10"><b> </b>spirit <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-7687O" title="See cross-reference O">O</a>)"></sup>from God came forcefully on Saul. He was prophesying in his house, while David was playing the lyre, <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-7687P" title="See cross-reference P">P</a>)"></sup>as he usually <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-7687Q" title="See cross-reference Q">Q</a>)"></sup>did. Saul had a spear <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-7687R" title="See cross-reference R">R</a>)"></sup>in his hand</span> <span class="text 1Sam-18-11" id="en-NIV-7688"><sup class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">11 </sup>and he hurled it, saying to himself, <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-7688S" title="See cross-reference S">S</a>)"></sup>“I’ll pin David to the wall.” But David eluded <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-7688T" title="See cross-reference T">T</a>)"></sup>him twice.<b> </b></span><span class="text 1Sam-18-12" id="en-NIV-7689">Saul was afraid <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-7689V" title="See cross-reference V">V</a>)"></sup>of David, because the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-7689W" title="See cross-reference W">W</a>)"></sup>was with <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-7689X" title="See cross-reference X">X</a>)"></sup>David but had departed from <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-7689Y" title="See cross-reference Y">Y</a>)"></sup>Saul.</span> <span class="text 1Sam-18-13" id="en-NIV-7690">So he sent David away from him and gave him command over a thousand men, and David led <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-7690Z" title="See cross-reference Z">Z</a>)"></sup>the troops in their campaigns. </span><span class="text 1Sam-18-14" id="en-NIV-7691">In everything he did he had great success, <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-7691AB" title="See cross-reference AB">AB</a>)"></sup>because the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> was with <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-7691AC" title="See cross-reference AC">AC</a>)"></sup>him.</span> <span class="text 1Sam-18-15" id="en-NIV-7692">When Saul saw how successful he was, he was afraid of him.</span> <span class="text 1Sam-18-16" id="en-NIV-7693">But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he led them in their campaigns.<b> </b></span><span class="text 1Sam-18-17" id="en-NIV-7694">Saul said to David, “Here is my older daughter <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-7694AE" title="See cross-reference AE">AE</a>)"></sup>Merab. I will give her to you in marriage; <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-7694AF" title="See cross-reference AF">AF</a>)"></sup>only serve me bravely and fight the battles <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-7694AG" title="See cross-reference AG">AG</a>)"></sup>of the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>.” For Saul said to himself, <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-7694AH" title="See cross-reference AH">AH</a>)"></sup>“I will not raise a hand against him. Let the Philistines do that!” </span><span class="text 1Sam-18-18" id="en-NIV-7695">But David said to Saul, “Who am I, <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-7695AI" title="See cross-reference AI">AI</a>)"></sup>and what is my family or my clan in Israel, that I should become the king’s son-in-law? <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-7695AJ" title="See cross-reference AJ">AJ</a>)"></sup>”</span><span class="text 1Sam-18-19" id="en-NIV-7696"><sup class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;"> </sup>So<b> </b>when the time came for Merab, <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-7696AK" title="See cross-reference AK">AK</a>)"></sup>Saul’s daughter, to be given to David, she was given in marriage to Adriel of Meholah.<b> </b></span><span class="text 1Sam-18-20" id="en-NIV-7697">Now Saul’s daughter Michal <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-7697AM" title="See cross-reference AM">AM</a>)"></sup>was in love with David, and when they told Saul about it, he was pleased. </span><span class="text 1Sam-18-21" id="en-NIV-7698">“I will give her to him,” he thought, “so that she may be a snare <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-7698AO" title="See cross-reference AO">AO</a>)"></sup>to him and so that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” So Saul said to David, “Now you have a second opportunity to become my son-in-law.” </span><span class="text 1Sam-18-22" id="en-NIV-7699">Then Saul ordered his attendants: “Speak to David privately and say, ‘Look, the king likes you, and his attendants all love you; now become his son-in-law.’” </span><span class="text 1Sam-18-23" id="en-NIV-7700">They repeated these words to David. But David said, “Do you think it is a small matter to become the king’s son-in-law? <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-7700AP" title="See cross-reference AP">AP</a>)"></sup>I’m only a poor man and little known.” </span><span class="text 1Sam-18-24" id="en-NIV-7701">When Saul’s servants told him what David had said,</span> <span class="text 1Sam-18-25" id="en-NIV-7702">Saul replied, “Say to David, ‘The king wants no other price <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-7702AQ" title="See cross-reference AQ">AQ</a>)"></sup>for the bride than a hundred Philistine foreskins, to take revenge <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-7702AR" title="See cross-reference AR">AR</a>)"></sup>on his enemies.’” Saul’s plan <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-7702AS" title="See cross-reference AS">AS</a>)"></sup>was to have David fall by the hands of the Philistines. </span><span class="text 1Sam-18-26" id="en-NIV-7703">When the attendants told David these things, he was pleased to become the king’s son-in-law. So before the allotted time elapsed, </span><span class="text 1Sam-18-27" id="en-NIV-7704">David took his men with him and went out and killed two hundred Philistines and brought back their foreskins. They counted out the full number to the king so that David might become the king’s son-in-law. Then Saul gave him his daughter Michal <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-7704AT" title="See cross-reference AT">AT</a>)"></sup>in marriage." 1 Samuel 18:1-27</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Times;">...ok, i know that was long, but there is a purpose behind it. now after i read this passage i didnt know what to think. but then it came to me. Saul wanted something for David that David didnt want. Saul tried to manipulate David's situation. he tried to make it what he wanted it to be. David didnt like that. it came down to the fact that David discerned marrying Saul's eldest daughter was not what was needed. instead he waited patiently for the thing that he did desire, Saul's other daughter. and when it was time, David sought after her. now for me the Lord revealed to me that what God has for me is best. what others want for us may be good, but it may not be what God wants for us. my sunday school teacher put it this way, "sometimes the hardest decision isnt between a good one and a bad one. it's usually between a good one and God's best." and to know God's best i must </span>pursue Him. and thats what i am doing and will continue to do. God overrules all. His plan trumps all. and thats where i find my comfort.</span></div>
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danteaguehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971856373641728276noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414653877606664362.post-18554999765520582882012-03-03T11:41:00.013-08:002012-03-03T14:13:14.421-08:00breathe.<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0udSIj1AZGw/T1KWxQQkGAI/AAAAAAAAAYU/149baNHNzRk/s1600/SYMC-LOGO_2.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: left;">currently, i am in louisville, kentucky at a youth minister's conference. never in my life have i seen so many old, balding men with go-t's (spelling?) run and jump around excited about ministry. it is so neat to see these men, women, and youth workers getting refreshed as they reflect on the ministry that the Lord has provided for them, but also for them to prepare to return with the wonderful things that the Lord has taught them. so encouraged.</div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0udSIj1AZGw/T1KWxQQkGAI/AAAAAAAAAYU/149baNHNzRk/s1600/SYMC-LOGO_2.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0udSIj1AZGw/T1KWxQQkGAI/AAAAAAAAAYU/149baNHNzRk/s320/SYMC-LOGO_2.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5715796650008778754" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 224px; height: 56px; " /></a></div><div>the theme here this weekend is BREATHE. as i began to reflect on the meaning of this theme for myself, several things came to my mind: 1. breathing is a natural process that is done involuntarily 2. in life, sometimes we have to remind ourselves to breathe when difficult, frustrating, or uncertain circumstances come about 3. what happens when i fail to breathe?</div><div><br /></div><div>now, let's break these apart.</div><div><br /></div><div>1. <i>breathing is a natural process.</i></div><div>as i look into scripture, the process of breathing has had a dramatic impact on the world. it has made a dramatic impact on us. <span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33cc00;">Genesis 2:7 says, "</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33cc00;">then the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps; ">Lord</span> God formed the man of <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-38F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; "></sup>dust from the ground and <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-38G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; "></sup>breathed into his <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-38H" title="See cross-reference H">H</a>)" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; "></sup>nostrils the breath of life, and <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-38I" title="See cross-reference I">I</a>)" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; "></sup>the man became a living creature."</span> </span>right here we see the creation of man. yes, a creature was made, but it had not been brought to life. it took the life giving power of God to jolt man to life. for man to breathe. God Himself took the life that was in Him and gave it to man. He was the only one who could provide that for mankind. but what impact does that breath have on us? as scripture continues on, we see the dramatic turn in man's life as he takes this breath, this life giving force, and complete abuses it. the life that was given to man is used to turn away from the very Source that gave it to him. so one may question, did God make the wrong decision in giving man life? why would God do something so beautiful to only bring about something so deadly? in my opinion and in my understanding of scripture, these two questions are answered in scripture. C.S. Lewis wrote it beautifully in his book Mere Christianity, "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); line-height: 18px; font-family:verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;">And free will is what has made evil possible. Why, then, did God give them free will? Because free will, though it makes evil possible, is also the only thing that makes possible any love or goodness or joy worth having.</span>" man had the choice to disobey God. yes, man abused the gift of life. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33cc00;">Romans 5</span> even emphasizes that due to man's disobedience all of us have become sinners. but if you read further, we see that in this very same passage it also says that by one Man's obedience many will be made righteous. it is by this breath of life that we can freely choose to find the "love and goodness and joy worth having" that Lewis describes. if we want to find a deeper understanding of the breath Giver, we must pursue Him with every breath we take. it must become a natural process.</div><div><br /></div><div>2. <i>in life, sometimes we have to remind ourselves to breathe when difficult, frustrating, or uncertain circumstances come about</i></div><div>in the past few years since i've been in jackson, i have had to remind myself to do this on several occasions. when i catch my students cheating on class work, i have to breathe. when my bill payments are behind and i can't afford the simple things, i have to breathe. when someone so dear to me is diagnosed with lung, liver, and brain cancer, i have to breathe. life is full of circumstances. we know that. but i feel the way that we respond to these life circumstances is what really matters. our response should be how james puts it in his letter to his brothers and sisters in christ, and we should <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33cc00;">"count it all JOY my brothers when you meet trials of various kinds" (1:2)</span>. if you notice, this verse says trials. now our first inclination is to give this word a negative connotation. i believe, however, that all of life's trials are made to challenge us and to persevere through. thats why james wants us to consider it our JOY to struggle in life. when things are going well--have JOY. when things aren't going so well--have JOY. why? because when we pursue the Lord and make it through these trials we become more like Jesus. and Jesus is making us "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33cc00;">perfect and complete,</span>" so we can be "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33cc00;">lacking in nothing (v4)</span>." when we take that time to breathe, we remember what Jesus is doing. we see how he is changing us. and if we don't immediately see it, we continue to take those deep breathes to pursue Him. </div><div><br /></div><div>but what happens when we don't.....?</div><div><br /></div><div>3. <i>what happens when i fail to breathe?</i></div><div>i struggled with this when i first moved to mississippi. i wanted to pursue God; thats the reason why i moved there in the first place, but i was being so wrapped up in my trials that i forgot to remind myself to breathe. i didn't consider it my joy to face these trials, and it hurt me. i too fell into the same trap that adam and eve did all those years ago (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+3&version=ESV">Genesis 3</a>). when we fail to take the time to breathe and seek God, then we will fail. and i failed. i found myself trapped in unhealthy relationships. i found myself on the brink of depression. i found myself trying to relieve my pain on my own terms. and that is not what we were made for. that is not how we were made to respond. but now i am so encouraged by the words of james in chapter 4 of his letter. in <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33cc00;">James 4:8</span> he encourages us to "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33cc00;">draw near to God</span>" and when we do so, He will draw near to us. i learned the difficult way in our necessity to breathe. life is one of the most brutal of teachers, but boy do we learn from it. in this stage of my life i learned what it looks like to forget how to breathe, to forget to draw near to God. but the beauty of that is i also learned how to breathe again. and i haven't stopped since.</div><div><br /></div><div>last night was one of the most refreshing nights i have had in a while. shane and shane led worship and francis chan shared his heart. i found myself remembering how faithful the Lord is and has been to me. how His promise in <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33cc00;">Deuteronomy 31:6 </span>(<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33cc00;">"it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will never leave you or forsake you."</span>) has been played out in my life. He is constantly with me. He has been with me every step of the way. and even now, i'm tearing up just thinking about how His hand has always been with me. i am so unworthy of the love that has been bestowed on me by the Father, but i desire to want to be more like Him. such a beautiful reminder.</div><div><br /></div><div>lastly, i would like to share something that francis chan said last night. he gave us a brief overview of his life when he was in high school. he shared that its was his youth minister who decided to pour out and invest into his life during the few years of his high school career. but it wasn't just him, rather several guys in his youth group. but as time went on, it slowly but surely turned into one boy pursuing a deeper relationship with the Father with his mentor: that kid being francis. but why did his youth minister do that? because he saw the potential that he had to make a different win someones life. he said that he was being prepared for something greater, something he didn't understand at first, but he knew that God was preparing him. but for what? i thought it was going to be some elaborate portrayal of how he needed to be a pastor and change the world through elaborate and unique messages. but it wasn't. he described that this greater thing was a heart for discipleship. now you would think that francis chan, a world renown speaker would have a heart for preaching, which I'm sure he does, but i feel that this has stemmed off of this heart for discipleship. and then i got to thinking. this is a lot like my story. i grew up in the church too and found myself being invested in by youth pastor. i was given the opportunities to serve and lead small groups. i didn't understand it at the time, but i too was being set up with a heart for discipleship. i found myself craving time to spend with God and then pour that back out onto others. and over and over again i found kids wanting that too; but then something very disheartening would happen, just as it did with francis, the kids i was pouring into slowly but surely started to step away from this pursuit of the Lord. they stopped meeting with me, they didn't "have the time", or they didn't want to commit themselves. and for me this hurt. but as this kept happening, even through college, i felt that God was wanting me to keep in desperate pursuit of this. and now i have come to present day. i am so glad that i continued to pursue this form of ministry because God has given me three wonderful opportunities to strengthen this heart of mine. these three are named Landon, John, and Addison. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7B1iUBF868k/T1KTbf7MixI/AAAAAAAAAYI/M86OyGM5e0A/s320/387225_2690669901843_1109363744_33066800_1240041037_n_2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5715792977722116882" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 221px; " /></span></div><div>these three boys challenge me on a daily basis, and in turn i get to challenge them. they get to verify the calling the Lord has placed on me, and in turn i get to verify the calling the Lord has placed on them. it is a reciprocal process that i am so blessed to have stayed with and trust the Lord with. i now understand how important it is for us to mentor/disciple young people as they walk through this life. i had it, and it prepared me for today. i have seen the fruit of the Lord in their lives as well as in mine. i wouldn't ask for anything different. i'm not going anywhere, and i don't see them going anywhere wither. they are committed, just as i am. my prayer now is that one day they too will be strengthened by a heart of discipleship and pursue relationships like francis chan has, like i have, and so many others have.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="text 2Tim-2-1" style=" ;font-size:16px;">"You then, <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29812A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; "></sup>my child, <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29812B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; "></sup>be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:16px;"> </span><span id="en-ESV-29813" class="text 2Tim-2-2"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:16px;">and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:0.65em;"><sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29813C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; "></sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:16px;">what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:0.65em;"><sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29813D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; "></sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:16px;">entrust to faithful men</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:10px;"><b> </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:16px;">who will be able to teach others also." 2 Timothy 2:1-2</span></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div>thats all for now. until next time....</div>danteaguehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971856373641728276noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414653877606664362.post-68984143747062234062011-12-21T21:28:00.000-08:002011-12-21T22:37:32.611-08:00sovereign.<div>well this isn't a reverb post, but this is a post from my heart.</div><div><br /></div><div>this word, sovereignty, has been on my mind and heart a whole lot lately. and honestly i can't grasp what it is I'm suppose to be learning from it. maybe i need to search scripture. maybe its for the very purpose of me learning something very soon. or maybe it is something i have already learned. but whatever it is, I'm going to seek.</div><div><br /></div><div>our good friend webster defines this word sovereignty as "supreme excellence or the example of it" and "supreme power" and "freedom from external control". now looking at these definitions one can see that there is a resounding theme with each of these definitions. what is that theme you may ask? well, its the understanding that sovereignty initially means to be set apart. now, if i have done my homework properly then i can further dive into this word and see that 'to be set apart' means to be HOLY. and that my friends is a status found in the I AM because He IS just that: HOLY. it is so unique to His nature that it is a characteristic only bound to Him. now, in<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33cc00;"> 1 Peter 1</span>, the apostle Peter describes an act of conduct to the exiles that are dispersed throughout the region as one that may be a little farfetched to those who do not belong to the Lord. in <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33cc00;">v15</span> he writes, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33cc00;">"but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct"</span>. that is very interesting isn't, especially since i just described that God is the only one who has attained the characteristic of "being Holy". I'm not saying that we are in any way in relation to being God, but rather the only way that we can ever attain something so high is apart from ourselves. you see, the only reason Peter can make this claim for us to be Holy just as the Creator of the universe is Holy is because there has been something done for us to attain this...</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#33cc00;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man's trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for <sup class="xref" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28047AB" title="See cross-reference AB">AB</a>)" style="line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; "></sup>many. And the free gift is not like the result of that one man's sin. For <sup class="xref" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28048AC" title="See cross-reference AC">AC</a>)" style="line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; "></sup>the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought <sup class="xref" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28048AD" title="See cross-reference AD">AD</a>)" style="line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; "></sup>justification. For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness <sup class="xref" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28049AE" title="See cross-reference AE">AE</a>)" style="line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; "></sup>reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.<b> </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; ">Therefore, as one trespass</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; "><b> </b>led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness<b> </b>leads to justification and life for <sup class="xref" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28050AF" title="See cross-reference AF">AF</a>)" style="line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; "></sup>all men. For as by the one man's<sup class="xref" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28051AG" title="See cross-reference AG">AG</a>)" style="line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; "></sup>disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's <sup class="xref" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28051AH" title="See cross-reference AH">AH</a>)" style="line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; "></sup>obedience the many will be made righteous.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; ">"</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0); font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; "> [Romans 5:15-19]</span></div><div><br /></div><div>you see, God did something only He could do and He did it perfectly. that was all done apart from ourselves. why? cause we can't. [notice that i wrote that in present tense] there is no way on earth that i can ever attain something so perfect on my own. C.S. Lewis writes in his book, Mere Christianity, "The perfect submission, the perfect suffering, the perfect death were not only easier to Jesus because He was God, but were possible only because He was God." Jesus Himself had to make a way for me to stand holy before God. and it isn't me that God sees, rather it is Christ standing before me. it is by the wounds of a Savior that i can stand clean before the Father. and in that i fall on my knees in humble adoration. i have been sanctified, cleansed, redeemed, bought with a price. i am still learning to trust. and i am learning to be just like my Father in all i say and do, and that is to be holy.</div><div><br /></div><div>that was all for my/our good that Christ died, and its because He is sovereign over us all. He is supreme in power. He is separate from all others. He IS. and in all that, i find myself trembling, yet having so much peace.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>i leave you with this song. i feel that it encompasses everything i just wrote. blessings friends.</div><div><br /></div><div><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/rZ-V-zcdpW4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px; font-family:'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#c0c0c0;">There is strength within the sorrow, There is beauty in our tears</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 21px; font-family:'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#c0c0c0;">You meet us in our mourning, With a love that casts out fear</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 21px; font-family:'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#c0c0c0;">You are working in our waiting, Sanctifying us</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 21px; font-family:'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#c0c0c0;">When beyond our understanding, You’re teaching us to trust</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px; font-family:'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#c0c0c0;"><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">Your plans are still to prosper, You have not forgotten us<br />You’re with us in the fire and the flood<br />Faithful forever, Perfect in love<br />You are sovereign over us</p><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">You are wisdom unimagined, Who could understand your ways<br />Reigning high above the heavens, Reaching down in endless grace<br />Youʼre the Lifter of the lowly, Compassionate and kind<br />You surround and You uphold me, Your promises are my delight</p><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">Even what the enemy means for evil<br />You turn it for our good, You turn it for our good and for your glory<br />Even in the valley You are faithful<br />Youʼre working for our good, Youʼre working for our good and for your glory</p></span></div>danteaguehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971856373641728276noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414653877606664362.post-32414608937755655672011-12-08T18:19:00.000-08:002011-12-08T18:36:37.356-08:00rollin.<div style="text-align: left;">Prompt: Where did you spend money?</div><div><br /></div><div>hmm. this seems to be a very difficult item to discuss. i never like talking about money, and truthfully i feel that the world would be a much better place if there were no currency. so, in a world where everyone rides horses and drinks coffee and sleeps till they can't sleep anymore there shall be no currency. but since there is i will now loosely talk about where i spent mine this past year.</div><div><br /></div><div>the majority of my money went to my car. and by my car i mean what went into it. i spent a majority of my money on gasoline. why does it have to be so expensive??</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bYpmfWJ6h7Y/TuFz0xEp5iI/AAAAAAAAAXk/VtFYxyybKak/s320/gas_prices_arm.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683951555081528866" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 263px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div>but i will not take back all the memories that i hold because of all the gas money I've spent. it has carried me to see the lovely girl of mine, the many trips back home to spend time with family, the many trips to cities to minister to kids, and the many moments when i just needed to drive and spend time with the Lord. it was well spent and I'm glad the Lord has blessed me with this gift.</div><div><br /></div><div>i also bought my first couch this year. unfortunately, this is the only piece of furniture that i have bought....so my house is empty. I'm saving up, but it might be a while. here is a picture of it with a wonderful addition added in....</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Op4dXFlqdJA/TuFz1aViuEI/AAAAAAAAAXw/KpHhTh8AT4w/s320/IMG_1491.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683951566158215234" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px; " /></span></div><div>i have also cherished the many times i have had the ability to buy another meal for someone else, whether this be for Landon, John, Corey, Laura, my sisters and bro, or any other random person that i feel the impression to bless. I've been blessed so why keep that to myself??</div><div><br /></div><div>thats all i got on this post....i told you i didn't like talking about money....</div><div><br /></div><div>until next time!</div>danteaguehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971856373641728276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414653877606664362.post-38580838340381316592011-12-07T18:56:00.000-08:002011-12-08T09:49:39.043-08:00highly prized.<div style="text-align: left;">Prompt: Who was important to you? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>What do you hope to remember?</div> <p class="MsoNormal">Well this one is going to be a hard one because honestly there are too many people in my life that have been important to me and so many memories that I would like to keep fresh on my mind this past year. So, I will attempt to put them together.</p><p class="MsoNormal">My family has been important to me. Through all of life’s circumstances I know and can find rest in the fact that I have a loving and supportive family—a luxury that some people lack. Specifically, this past year when I struggled through relationships my brother and sisters were there to encourage me. When I attempted my trek through Spain, my brother helped me navigate the underground and streets of some of Spain’s more populated areas alone. I also struggled this past year on what I should do regarding a job. My parents gave me pointers and prayed with me through this tough decision. But even in the simplicity of life they have proven to be important to me as well. The moments that I spent laughing with all of them around a table playing games in the mountains of Georgia will be cherished forever. I got to watch the Iron Bowl domination with my family this year as well. A day full of “Roll Tide” and football food will always be remembered. I cant help but think how blessed I am to have the 7 of them in my life. Its one blessing after another and I know there is more to come.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wfxGWU6Y4Ak/TuBFbYiRXlI/AAAAAAAAAT0/7ak6b2ypAtM/s400/378919_10150448657521133_510031132_10938284_581914179_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683619066486546002" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Landon Young has been important to me. I started mentoring/discipling Landon a little over a year ago, and I can remember the exact moment when he asked me to walk along side him and encourage him in his faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>When I started attending Country Woods Baptist Church in August of 2010, I knew that the Lord needed me to serve there. Part of the reasons why is because He started allowing me to be involved in areas that I never thought possible. I was voted on to the Youth Leadership council before I was even a member of the church. God was doing some neat stuff in my life and I was just glad that I was along for the ride. Well during this time it was laid on my heart that I needed to be discipling someone in the youth group. I didn't know what that was going to look like, or who it was going to be, but I definitely trusted the Lord in this. Well a few weeks after this had been placed on my heart I get a text message from a little boy named Landon Young. He didn't really want to talk about much, but rather he asked me a very simple question. He asked, "Will you be my mentor?" My first reaction was "who is this kid", and then a shear horror/fear came over me. A kid I didn't know all that well wanted me to mentor and disciple him. Come to think about it, I don't know what this kid was thinking, but one thing I do know now, is that God definitely knew what He was thinking. I agreed to mentor him and truthfully my life has not been the same. Landon and I have grown so close together and I have gotten to watch him grow up to be an amazing young man. But why is he so important to me? First of all, he is the little brother I've never had and he continually keeps me on track. There is no way on earth that I can disciple him if I am not in a position to learn from the Father myself. He encourages me tremendously and the level of respect this kid has is overwhelming. So thank you Landon for being you. I love ya brother!! Some of the most memorable times that we have had: eating hotdogs at Traceway Park, memorizing James 1 together, and staying up late to win a prized empty milk jug in a game of Kemps.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JD7u0UT5yfA/TuBLLtWTRrI/AAAAAAAAAXM/iB22uF4zVRk/s320/388944_2691732528408_1109363744_33067403_783733910_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683625394265343666" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M1dmcCz_S6A/TuBLTdp8DjI/AAAAAAAAAXY/ryVLNIQVjjA/s320/74807_1674258852202_1109363744_31879614_5963667_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683625527491694130" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">Matt Mahaffey has been important to me. Matt has grown to be my best friend here in Mississippi. Matt and I have one of the most awkward relationships ever, but that is what makes it so special. He is always encouraging and always willing to go out of his way to pour into my life. It has been good seeing him grow over the past year too. I remember specifically after this summer when he came back from Canada and I came back from camp that I saw an amazing change in his life. It’s like the Lord completely changed his perspective on the gospel and radically changed his confidence in the Lord. It’s so neat to see that in people’s lives, especially ones that have a solid place in your heart. Some of the most memorable times I’ve had with Matt:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the numerous skits we made a fool of ourselves in on Wednesday nights, wrestling in the sanctuary, praying to the point of tears on numerous occasions, and yelling at a baseball player with the number 33. Can’t wait to spend another year with this guy!!</p><p class="MsoNormal">And last, but certainly not least, Laura has been important to me. The past year with this girl has truly been one amazing ride. There is not a day that goes by that I do not miss her more than the day before, and I wait in eager anticipation till the next time that I get to be with her. I am completely overwhelmed by the fact that she continually chooses someone like me when she deserves so much better. She will deny that last statement, but it’s so true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>She is so encouraging to me. She is continually my number one fan. She is always cheering me on and loves to hear about my day; and even if it doesn’t seem to be all that exciting she will some how make it more interesting than it was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>She makes me stretch my own ability to learn and grow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>She is encouraging spiritually and is always willing to pray for me. What I would do with out this girl? I dunno. And I don’t want to think about that idea. I can not wait to see where this road will take us this next year, but I’m definitely looking forward to the million miles we have left to go. Things I want to remember about Laura and I this past year: driving 8 hours to take her on a date, smashing cupcakes in her face (and getting a face full myself), adopting baby dinosaurs, walking the trails behind the intramural fields at UGA, taking pictures of that pretty girl in a field of weeds, being interrupted by garbage duty, listening to her talk about her summer, worshipping in the car on the 5 hour drive back to Athens from Alabama, working a DNOW in Brewton, AL, staring at the fox in the corner, making soup for friends and fellowship, dancing in the kitchen, and being asked on a continual basis when Laura is coming back to Jackson. Soon people. Very soon.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZDYcut_3Mjk/TuBHrxt5ojI/AAAAAAAAAVI/_UH0ENEAfwU/s320/IMG_1483.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683621547147371058" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px; " /></span></p><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bvvB4-DQsvg/TuBHqy3yyfI/AAAAAAAAAVA/sbkDA86Eezs/s320/IMG_0618.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683621530277431794" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px; " /></span></span></div><div></div><div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xb0akImk79w/TuBITsXAh_I/AAAAAAAAAVs/YoSqsviluX0/s320/IMG_1537.PNG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683622232903944178" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NJNXr6h8BpI/TuBIS4H0D7I/AAAAAAAAAVg/EhWCT-TMg2c/s320/IMG_1499.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683622218881568690" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dWShBAZJmbQ/TuBISveh8LI/AAAAAAAAAVU/Niy1aMnTcVE/s320/IMG_0625.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683622216560930994" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nLZu7nrHQEc/TuBKaTDsK5I/AAAAAAAAAXA/wKrY7R5gnzM/s320/217234_1762352374898_1121730399_31717006_129436_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683624545394371474" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div>These people are not all the people that have been important to me, nor do these memories encompass all that I would like to remember. If I were to list all the people (CK7, FBC Brewton, Noah, HCS kids/staff, Mrs. Browning—she’s my favorite teacher, CWBC youth/family, etc.) and memories from this past year, I suppose that I would have to write a library full of books to capture the beauty of friendship and experience.</div> <p class="MsoNormal">Until next time!</p> <!--EndFragment--><p></p> <!--EndFragment-->danteaguehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971856373641728276noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414653877606664362.post-54743623769484812612011-12-06T19:55:00.000-08:002011-12-06T20:24:43.904-08:00hanging with louis and clark.Prompt: What did you discover?<div><br /></div><div>i like to consider myself a very adventurous person. i like the odds and ends of not knowing things sometimes, and i feel more often than not that i discover new things about myself and others every single day. this year i discovered a cornucopia(yeah, i just used that word) of different things. some were funny, some were ironic, some were tough, and others i wish were never discovered. but nonetheless these discoveries helped me learn.</div><div><br /></div><div>i discovered that i am not made for mountain biking.</div><div>my brother-in-law, matt, took me and my brother on a biking trip to ride some trails over thanksgiving break. i did not like it at all. that was the first time that i had every attempted mountain biking and he had me riding the "more advanced" trails. i think i bruised my hands more than anything because i was gripping the handle bars so tightly as i peered off the side of the mountain. my butt also hurt by the end of the ride. i definitely told him that i would have rather ran the trails because i was better at that. any who, it was a new thing for me and this discovery was definitely one that will impact any further decisions about biking.</div><div><br /></div><div>i discovered that 9th graders are super funny.</div><div>i teach all the 9th graders at hillcrest and each and every one of them has a quirky side to them. i even have found new things out about kids i had known prior to working there. i won't list any names, but here are some of the conversations that i have had with these kids in class:</div><div><br /></div><div>Student: "Coach Teague, are you Chinese?"</div><div>Me: "Ugh, no. Do I look Chinese?"</div><div><br /></div><div>Me: "So the plate movement of subduction simply means that one tectonic plate goes beneath the other one."</div><div>Student: "Subduction! You mean like aliens!!?"</div><div>Me: "No. That is abduction."</div><div><br /></div><div>Me: "I am a very wise person."</div><div>Student: "No you're not."</div><div>Me: "Only an ignorant and unintelligible person would not think I am wise."</div><div>Student: "I don't know what that means."</div><div>Me: "Point proven."</div><div><br /></div><div>Me: "Industries like NASA moved down here to the South..."</div><div>Student: "NASA....like them racecars?"</div><div>Me: "No. That's Nascar."</div><div>Student: "Same thing."</div><div><br /></div><div>Me: "The majority of Russia has a tundra climate."</div><div>Student: "I thought tundras were those things that came out of an elephants mouth."</div><div>Me: "Those are tusks."</div><div><br /></div><div>and this is my favorite phrase...</div><div>"Coach Teague, this may be a stupid question, but...."</div><div>and usually a very unintelligible comment proceeds.</div><div><br /></div><div>i just love these kids. there is never a dull moment.</div><div><br /></div><div>i discovered my affection for a certain individual.</div><div>i knew <a href="http://www.lreg-footsteps.blogspot.com/">Laura</a> for a little over a year before we actually started dating, but i think that affection was always there, i just didn't know what it was. i didn't know how i felt about her until we both worked a weekend retreat in brewton, al together. i got to watch her first hand love on and disciple kids again which is one of the aspects that i love about her. she has such a heart for others and the Lord that it is breathtaking. and i tell people all the time that the number one thing i like about her is that her relationship with me looks like garbage compared to the affection that she has for her Maker. that is something i have prayed for and desired in the person that i date. its amazing that she has stayed with me this long, but i am glad that she chooses me every single day. i learn and discover new things about her on a consistent basis and i can't wait to learn more from her. so thank you laura for being so awesome! </div><div><br /></div><div>i have discovered more and more who Christ has made me to be.</div><div>my journal has page after page on things that the Lord has taught me over the past year. there are prayers on things i have yet to discover and ones that i have come to discover and learn from. it is amazing how beautiful the Lord continues to be each day. so i challenge each of you to ask the Lord to help you discover something new about Him and yourself on a daily basis, and i promise you that if you so desire it, then it will happen. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33cc00;">"Call to me and I will answer you. I will tell you the deep and hidden things that you do not know." Jeremiah 33:3</span></div><div><br /></div><div>i think that is it for the night.</div><div><br /></div><div>until next time!</div>danteaguehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971856373641728276noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414653877606664362.post-34113342963169540082011-12-05T17:40:00.000-08:002011-12-05T17:42:39.110-08:00fighting.<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:documentproperties> <o:template>Normal.dotm</o:Template> <o:revision>0</o:Revision> <o:totaltime>0</o:TotalTime> <o:pages>1</o:Pages> <o:words>481</o:Words> <o:characters>2747</o:Characters> <o:company>DCS</o:Company> <o:lines>22</o:Lines> <o:paragraphs>5</o:Paragraphs> <o:characterswithspaces>3373</o:CharactersWithSpaces> <o:version>12.256</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:drawinggridhorizontalspacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:drawinggridverticalspacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:displayhorizontaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:displayverticaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:dontautofitconstrainedtables/> <w:dontvertalignintxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="276"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal">Prompt: When did you struggle?</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I feel that struggle can come in many different ways. I can struggle in a fight (which I did this past year and won mind you—thanks Mahaffey-butt), or struggle to get up in the mornings, or struggle to fully give myself over to the cause of Christ. In my life I feel that at some point in time we will have endured all types of struggles in life, but it isn’t the struggle that defines who we are, but rather the response we have in the midst of adversary.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">For me I would say the biggest struggle I have is when I am in the very presence of my Father. I heard a wise man say that our biggest struggle we will have with the enemy is during or after a spiritual high. Why? Because Satan doesn’t want us there as professors of the faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>There is so much truth behind it. And if we look in scripture we will see that even Jesus went through the very same thing…</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none; text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33ff33;">And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry. The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread." And Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone.'" And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, and said to him, "To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours." And Jesus answered him, "It is written,"'You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.'" And he took him to Jerusalem and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, "'He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you, 'and "'On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.'" And Jesus answered him, "It is said, 'You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.'" And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time. And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a report about him went out through all the surrounding country. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">Luke 4:1-14</b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none; text-autospace:none"><o:p> </o:p>Here we see that Jesus himself struggled with the enemy when He was spending intimate time with the Father. And how did Jesus respond? By quoting scripture and standing firm in His belief that the Father would take care of His every need. Jesus found rest at the Father’s side and by doing so He was able to resist every temptation that Satan threw at Him.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none; text-autospace:none"><o:p> </o:p>Now as for me I have responded like Jesus. I have stood firm on His sweet and perfect promises. But then again I have fallen in my struggle. More times then I would have liked to. And in the moments of each fall I would hang my head in shame. But I can feel even to this day that God Himself takes His hand and lifts my head. He looks at me and says that forgiveness is mine because of Jesus. And in that I can stand firm. In that promise I find full hope. I find full relief. I find full rest.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none; text-autospace:none"><o:p> </o:p>His grace is beautiful isn’t it? <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33ff33;">“The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end.” <b>Lamentations 3:22</b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none; text-autospace:none"><o:p> </o:p>Until next time!</p> <!--EndFragment-->danteaguehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971856373641728276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414653877606664362.post-8584180130770066512011-12-04T19:10:00.000-08:002011-12-04T19:46:13.581-08:00take a look.<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RnZjIIgP7KM/Ttw-KeBzCiI/AAAAAAAAATo/9gSBdOBRy9E/s1600/IMG_1503.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div>Prompt: What books did you read?</div><div><br /></div>C.S. Lewis said, "Eating and reading are two pleasure that combine admirably." now honestly i can say that i have definitely eaten more than i have read, but the books that i have read have been quite wonderful to say the least. now if you know me, i am not one of the biggest readers in the world. i wish i was. i wish i were the one who has read over a hundred books during the year. but thats not me. but what i have learned from the books i have read will always stick with me.<div><br /></div><div>Radical by David Platt</div><div>my church did an entire study on this book and can i tell you how changed i was because of it. i learned my lesson in true believing and in the way that i treat the world around me. taking every opportunity as an opportunity for ministry is key in our relationship with the Lord.</div><div><br /></div><div>Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan</div><div>i read this book this summer with some friends of mine on CK7. it officially turned into "CK Storytime" which ended up being a highlight of our weekends. while reading this book, i was reminded of my imagination. how books like this can stretch us to think of things beyond our wildest dreams. i know in reality that this book on gods (yes, with a little 'g') is all but fiction, but it reminded me of how much of a child at heart that i need to be. let those imaginations flow. God did. He made us didn't he? </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(24, 24, 24); line-height: 18px; font-family:georgia, serif;font-size:14px;">“A children's story that can only be enjoyed by children is not a good children's story in the slightest.” -C.S. Lewis</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis</div><div>now before i go into this one, i just want you all to know that i am still reading this book. not because it's long or anything, but simply because Lewis is one deep dude. i have found myself reading, rereading, and rereading again certain passages through this book. it is that profound. Lewis was a literary genius and a sound believer. he would definitely be on my list of people to meet that have now passed away.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RnZjIIgP7KM/Ttw-KeBzCiI/AAAAAAAAATo/9gSBdOBRy9E/s400/IMG_1503.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682485179414940194" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><i>This is one of my favorite passages of the book...</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">now on to the book...</div><div>lewis view of christianity is simple. now i know that i said i had to reread all these passages, but its different. its so simple that its too deep. i know that it sounds like that statement contradicts itself, but you just need to read it yourself. in the middle of a war torn society of great britain, lewis attempts to find shelter for himself and for others in the arms of a loving savior. denominational doctrine is put to shame as lewis shares deeply the root of all true faith: Jesus Christ. i can't help but say that this is my favorite selection this past year. one that i am determined to finish by the years end.</div><div><br /></div><div>BOOKS SOON TO BE READ:</div><div>The remainder of the Percy Jackson Series</div><div>Erasing Hell by Francis Chan and Preston Sprinkle</div><div>The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins</div><div>The Hole in the Gospel by Richard Stearns</div><div>Louder Than Words by Andy Stanley</div>danteaguehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971856373641728276noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414653877606664362.post-65309889016337933862011-12-03T06:18:00.000-08:002011-12-03T19:01:24.056-08:00hey! i know you....now!!<div style="text-align: left;">Prompt: Who did you meet?</div><div><br /></div><div>hmm. where to start...</div><div><br /></div><div>there have been several different people that i have met this past year, but i would say that there are some very specific relationships that i built this past year that have helped shape who i am.</div><div><br /></div><div>i will begin with these guys....</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6LfNIm4WTSw/TtrUOyWiNpI/AAAAAAAAASo/JcoVJjVGIZU/s1600/IMG_0773.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6LfNIm4WTSw/TtrUOyWiNpI/AAAAAAAAASo/JcoVJjVGIZU/s320/IMG_0773.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682087230380848786" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--4HTfzRm55A/TtrUNUyYQXI/AAAAAAAAASg/V5VIRO9wmnM/s1600/IMG_1385.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--4HTfzRm55A/TtrUNUyYQXI/AAAAAAAAASg/V5VIRO9wmnM/s320/IMG_1385.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682087205264703858" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cz0EYJSUJyc/TtrUNOmnDJI/AAAAAAAAASQ/5g6puL8Ygoc/s320/IMG_1470.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682087203604728978" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cz0EYJSUJyc/TtrUNOmnDJI/AAAAAAAAASQ/5g6puL8Ygoc/s1600/IMG_1470.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cz0EYJSUJyc/TtrUNOmnDJI/AAAAAAAAASQ/5g6puL8Ygoc/s1600/IMG_1470.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#c0c0c0;">very few of these people i knew beforehand, but by the end of this past summer i realized how much i was missing out on without these people in my life. i had the wonderful opportunity of spiritually leading these amazing individuals this summer as their camp pastor, but little did i know by the time the summer had taken its course, they would have spiritually led me. i walked into the summer hoping to at least make some what of a difference in these individuals lives, but rather they made a difference in mine more than i would have dreamed of. so i thank all of you for the amazing laughs, tears, heartaches, sleepless nights, and awkward moments. by meeting all of you i am a better person and have grown closer to the Maker in which we all still faithfully serve. i love you all.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#c0c0c0;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#c0c0c0;">along with that i met so many amazing young people at camp this summer. you can read there stories <a href="http://danielteague.blogspot.com/2011/08/so-much-to-say.html">here</a>, for i won't go into detail about all of the again. but here are a few pictures...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#c0c0c0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gGCeF7iIboI/TtriKJlnTlI/AAAAAAAAATg/1bnA-OXYCtc/s1600/IMG_5196.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gGCeF7iIboI/TtriKJlnTlI/AAAAAAAAATg/1bnA-OXYCtc/s320/IMG_5196.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682102543881555538" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OJSMdjRaMnw/TtriJwLKVEI/AAAAAAAAATQ/G8tAIWfCFRg/s1600/IMG_1023.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OJSMdjRaMnw/TtriJwLKVEI/AAAAAAAAATQ/G8tAIWfCFRg/s320/IMG_1023.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682102537059718210" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px; " /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G0LPKRM6_Pw/TtrhwelmcOI/AAAAAAAAATE/bDDs3eXN2S8/s1600/IMG_1165.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G0LPKRM6_Pw/TtrhwelmcOI/AAAAAAAAATE/bDDs3eXN2S8/s320/IMG_1165.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682102102842044642" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px; " /></a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mlDiOnD7CoY/Ttrhi5GXjoI/AAAAAAAAAS4/mjEQ94IKdGk/s320/IMG_0940.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682101869440634498" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#c0c0c0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mlDiOnD7CoY/Ttrhi5GXjoI/AAAAAAAAAS4/mjEQ94IKdGk/s1600/IMG_0940.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mlDiOnD7CoY/Ttrhi5GXjoI/AAAAAAAAAS4/mjEQ94IKdGk/s1600/IMG_0940.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#c0c0c0;">another group of individuals that i got to meet this year are the amazing individuals that i get to teach every single day. notice that i said i "get" to. it isn't an "i have to" situation. the Lord has definitely blessed me with an amazing opportunity to pour out and invest into these kids lives which i fully give Him all the glory for. there is never a dull moment with them and i cherish every moment i have teaching and learning from them.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#c0c0c0;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#c0c0c0;">lastly, one of the most significant meetings that i have had recently is from a security guard at kroger. i do not know this individuals name, but he definitely made an impact in my life. a couple of weeks ago i was ringing the Salvation Army bell outside the kroger in byram when this man came outside to get a breather. as he sat out there he began to be interested in why i was ringing the bell. so i got to share with him how my church family has made it a ministry opportunity to serve and ring the bell at this location. well, from there he became very inquisitive about my faith. he didn't understand how the Lord can call people and change someone's life. the conversation, in my mind, went down hill. he tried everything to frustrate me, and truthfully i feel that he accomplished his goal. but when the conversation seemed to be finished, he looked at my, thanked me, and said that he had begun to think about some things. i left that night feeling defeated, but then got home and realized that i had done just what i was commanded to do: to share the gospel. it isn't my place to change hearts. its the Lords. and from that conversation i was reminded of the fact that the Lord will use me in my weakness and will reveal the gospel to whom He so desires. i simply need to be willing. and that is what i will leave with you all. always be willing, even with the people that you meet, you never know what impact you can have on them, but also the impact they can have on you.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#c0c0c0;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#c0c0c0;">until next time!</span></div>danteaguehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971856373641728276noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414653877606664362.post-37534707939303257812011-12-02T16:29:00.000-08:002011-12-02T21:00:08.153-08:00taking a first look.so after a lovely post by the beautiful <a href="http://lreg-footsteps.blogspot.com/2011/12/beginning.html">Laura Register</a>, i have now decided to join in the craze of #Reverb11. so here is my feeble attempt at doing so...<div><br /></div><div>Prompt #1: Where did 2011 begin?</div><div><br /></div><div>well i can't say much about this post without completely copying the words from Laura's post, but truthfully i was in the same place that she was. in a wonderful town outside the avenue (which isn't a street mind you) spending the most wonderful few hours with people that i love so dearly. it just goes to show that camp friends aren't just friends, but rather they are family. as i brought in the new year with them i got to laugh and cry (from laughing of course) and celebrate life, but also count the many blessings that had impacted me so drastically over the last year.</div><div><br /></div><div>i was rounding off the completion of my first full year in mississippi where i had begun a new chapter of my life. as stated in posts from the past, i didn't understand God's calling on my life to mississippi for the longest time until the few short weeks prior to ending 2010 and beginning 2011. i actually remember having a very distinct discussion with my mother on how i finally knew my purpose here. through the many relationships that i had built in jackson and the many opportunities the Lord has provided for me to grow but to also pour my heart out, i finally knew why i was called here: to bring Him glory with my life. sounds simple, right? well, thats because it is. but i feel sometimes we miss out on what God has for us due to the simple fact that we don't want to be changed. we don't want to be stretched. and by hardening our hearts like this we fail to fulfill the very purpose of why we were created. that goes all the way back to Genesis 1. the Lord took Adam from the dirt of the ground and then proceeded to make Eve from his ribs and made them both to walk, eat, and breathe in the very presence of God. for His purposes and not their own. and then what happened? yeah, you may have guessed it. these two creatures made in the very image of God royally messed it up. they took hold of their own agenda and defied the very purpose they were created for. and because of one man's sin, i too have that very inclination to do what i so desire. but the story doesn't end there. even though one man's disobedience had brought me/us death, it is also by one man's obedience that we can all be made righteous. wow. so beautiful.</div><div><br /></div><div>and that is what was on the forefront of my mind as a stepped into the new year. and that's the neat thing about the Lord; He has a very peculiar way of revealing things to His people in His timing.</div><div><br /></div><div>and now as i think about this year coming to a close i can once again sit and ponder this little heart of mine, and think back on all the many blessings the Lord has bestowed on me (but we will keep those hidden until the proper time--possibly in another reverb post)</div><div><br /></div><div><i>well there you have it. the first of many #reverb11 posts. sorry, about grammar and the flow of the post. i haven't written in a while, so i need to get used to it again. </i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>until next time!</i></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>danteaguehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971856373641728276noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414653877606664362.post-70351619759137601952011-08-14T19:41:00.000-07:002011-08-27T15:52:10.764-07:00the shortest way home.as i reflect back on the week in itself and the "eventful" weekend that i had, i cant help but think that God has me right where He needs me.<div>
<br /></div><div>i finished my first week up at school, and even though this is totally new for me, i have a feeling that this year will be an amazing time of growth for me as well as my students. i have already grown to love them all so dearly and they are consistently challenging me. it also doesnt help that there is never a dull moment. i already have some pretty funny quotes....</div><div>
<br /></div><div>i have missed my family here in Jackson/Clinton/Byram. it is so neat to have come back to a place and see what has happened since i have been gone. my church family has grown so much over the course of the summer, and i love the fact that they are in total pursuit of the Lord and His working in their lives. thats the real Church right there. granted that we are not perfect, but we are trying. i love them all.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>so i have also been reading Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis, and can i tell you that it is blowing me away. Lewis is such a simple writer, and im pretty sure that he claims to be simple, but his stuff is so deep. im having to read and reread several times before i get a grasp of what he is saying. i read this beautiful passage this afternoon, and let me tell you, it speaks so soundly of my own heart right now:</div><div>
<br /></div><div><i>"I may repeat 'Do as you would be done by' till I am black in the face, but I cannot really carry it out till I love my neighbour as myself: and I cannot learn to love my neighbour as myself till I learn to love God: and I cannot learn to love God except by learning to obey Him. And so, as I warned you, we are driven on to something more inward--driven on from social matters to religious matters. For the longest way round is the shortest way home."</i></div><div><i>
<br /></i></div><div>my heart is right along with his words here. i desire to continually pursue this love that has been lavished on me. and in doing so i love on others and by doing that i have to pursue an obedient lifestyle. not for my own selfish gain, but rather as a sign of surrender to my King.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>im sure that i can and will write more on this guy, but honestly as long as it has been taking me to read it, i dont think i have the time to unpack it all....</div><div>
<br /></div><div>and to end this wonderful post--things i miss:</div><div>-my family</div><div>-my girlfriend</div><div>-furniture (i have very little right now)</div><div>-playing soccer</div><div>-running on a consistent basis</div><div>-my dog</div><div>
<br /></div><div>well, thats all i got for now. so until next time.....</div>danteaguehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971856373641728276noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414653877606664362.post-117104462413716052011-08-06T07:56:00.000-07:002011-08-14T12:03:14.785-07:00so much to say.<div style="text-align: left;">i have been trying to process this past summer in more ways than one, but i have ben so busy that i havent had time to rest and reflect. granted that i took my plane trip to read and listen (and sleep), but i really havent taken the time to process everything that the Lord showed me and taught me this summer. so here is my first feeble attempt to do just that....</div><div>
<br /></div><div>**please disregard any incomplete thoughts and/or unclear stories that may be represented below. thanks.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>wow. this summer has been one whirlwind of a summer. as many of you know i spent my fourth summer on staff with <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.centrikid.com">CentriKid Camps</a>, and i know that i say this every summer (and there is so much truth in it), but this was the summer that i grew the most. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>when i arrived at the airport in May and awkwardly met some of the people that i would be serving with, gave away my number to parents i didnt know so they could check on their child, and found out i would immediately be driving a truck all summer, i was NOT even close to being ready to let God change my heart--but that's the beauty of it all, sometimes we arent always ready when He is. in that i actually find so much comfort. weird, huh?</div><div>
<br /></div><div>training week passed and i became quickly close (that sounds funny) to my team in more ways than one. from long nights laughing to wonderful conversations. i was immediately blessed by a wonderful group of individuals. i know that i have long life friends from this group of people, and i cant wait to see where the Lord takes all of them.</div><div>
<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zw50b41C-dk/Tj1rI9P8WeI/AAAAAAAAAP4/Tci5xZ_vIXw/s320/IMG_1469.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637780110162287074" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y7lkNxjmvyA/Tj1rJGvmabI/AAAAAAAAAQA/xjEHAoRVkc0/s1600/IMG_1470.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y7lkNxjmvyA/Tj1rJGvmabI/AAAAAAAAAQA/xjEHAoRVkc0/s320/IMG_1470.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637780112710986162" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></span></span></div><div>
<br /></div><div>my role changed a lot this summer at camp. i had the wonderful privilege of not being a bible study/team leader anymore...and for those of you that know me i would have never said that was a privilege at the beginning of the summer because that is all i knew...but rather, i had the wonderful opportunity to be the camp pastor. and let me tell you, that is a very humbling experience. and the funny thing about being camp pastor is that you have to be on stage. and little note about me, i dont like large crowds. im an introvert at heart and desire to be alone or with a small group of people. my heart is for discipleship and so it was funny when the Lord placed it on my heart to serve him in this new role. but i was reminded this summer by a very godly man while i was at Eckord College in Florida. his name was mike. mike was the senior pastor at his church and he is a very humble man. when we were discussing these things as listed above, he reminded me of the life of Jesus (go figure). and what he told me i will never forget, and i used it as motivation to continue to pursue Him. what he told me was is that Jesus loved one-on-one ministry. He loved to be with the people. He discipled the tweleve, He ministered to widows and orphans, and even spent time with the government officials. but when He was asked by His heavenly Father, He would step away from the intentionality of small groups to minister to the multitudes. wow. was i ever humbled. i realized then that this was one of the moments that i had to step away from being comfortable where i was at to speak on behalf of my Father in a different way then i was accustomed to. and i thank God for that moment He spoke through mike. without it i dont know what would have happened, but praise God it did.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>because i was pastor i didnt have the time i got to spend with kids normally. i spent a lot of time with adults this time too. and that was huge. i got encouraged, but i also got to encourage. adults are funny in that they are big kids too (at least the ones that come to camp). some of them frustrate me and some i want to sit at their feet and learn. a few instances this summer changed me completely: i told the adults every week during adult gathering to be ready to listen to the Lord this week. as much as we emphasize the fact that this week is for the kids, i dont want them to lose sight that God can change their lives too. and let me tell you, adults were changed this summer. some came to know the Lord for the first time, others were reminded of who God is, and others got to help lead a child to Christ for the first time. i was told by the Lord to never limit what He can do in my own life, even in my old age.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>but the time i did get to spend with kids was phenomenal. i got to teach archery all summer with a little bit of soccer in between. and in those moments i got to build relationships with kids. one relationship that i got to build was with a kid named hunter. hunter was a very...let me see...defiant kid. and in archery, being defiant can be....a little dangerous. well all week long i made it my goal to love and encourage this child. sometimes i had to use tough love, and others it was just being someone to listen to him. i actually told him one day, "Hunter. You frustrate me so bad." he just laughed and we continued in our conversation. well i could tell that God was doing something in this child's life and i knew that this kid was going to make a decision for the Lord. so during invitation on Thursday i prayed harder for hunter than i had all week. and i was positive that he was going to come down and speak with someone. but he didnt. i even hung out on stage afterwards, which normally doesnt happen, just to be available for him to come and talk to me, but he didnt come. so i was bummed out, but as i prayed backstage for the night and everything, someone called me out to the front. twenty minutes had passed since worship ended and i wondered who could possibly need me then because church group time was well underway, but when i stepped out i saw hunter with his church group leader standing there. she told me that hunter didnt want to speak with anyone but me. and so we began to talk. i asked hunter what he wanted to talk about. he simply told me that he didnt want to leave. and through many questions asked, he felt more loved there at camp than any other place he had been. and in the midst of that i was reminded of the verse in <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;">Deuteronomy 31:6</span> where the Lord says,</div><div>
<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">"Be strong and courageous....for the LORD your God goes with you; he will </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">never</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">leave</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> you nor forsake you.”</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></div><div>
<br /></div><div>we talked about how even though we leave people we love and how people always fail us, there is one person who will never leave us, and he actually promises us that. but you can only have that promise from God if you have a relationship with God. and so i asked him if he did. and through helping him understand that, the Lord took this child's life and made him a child of the King. hunter gave his life to Christ that night and i could tell he was made new. and boy was i reminded of the power of the Lord. how he doesnt need me, and how he will always do <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;">"more than we ever asked or imagined"</span> like it says in <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;">Ephesians 3:20</span>. and as i continue to think about hunter, i pray that the Lord will continue to grow this child.</div><div>
<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U60LAfgScZs/Tj1rJzuOZfI/AAAAAAAAAQY/74_Wn_XGLMk/s320/IMG_5201.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637780124784813554" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">
<br /></span></div><div>another story i would love to share is the story of cole. cole, needless to say, was not my favorite camper all summer. he was in my church group one week, and let me tell you i have never seen so much bitterness and resentment in a child before. it broke me. he actually told me one day, "i didnt sign up for church camp and i hate it here." wow. i never thought i would hear those words at camp before. that happened on monday and from that point on i made it my goal to love this child. and that is our goal, or should be. to love the unloveable. that's what we are to God. He loves us when we totally deny Him. so i prayed daily for this kid. i have never been so burdened for someone before like i had been for cole. there were numerous occasions that i would be praying, broken on my knees in tears for this kid. and that's what i learned from cole. that it is ok to be broken. because God wants to be <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;">"our refuge and strength;our very help in time of need"</span> (<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;">Psalm 46:1</span>). me and cole hung out all week, and our relationship got better. i got to see him smile, which was phenomenal. actually one of the things i prayed for. but then cole left. and i dont know what's happening with cole right now, but what i do know is that he went back with some amazing group leaders that will continue to love on him, and in that i find comfort.</div><div>
<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hd9Orui8pd0/Tj1rJlwhNnI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/v76i94NyEro/s320/IMG_5322.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637780121036338802" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div>
<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;">"The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18</span></div><div>
<br /></div><div>and then there is michael. michael is such a phenomenal kid. the one thing that i learned from michael was to never stop learning. if i had a dollar for every question this child asked me during the week of camp, i would probably be a millionaire (ok, that was an exaggeration, but you get the picture). michael was so curious about who the Lord is, about how to study scripture, and how to share his own faith. and i thought to myself "wow, i wish i had the passion for the Lord at his age." and i told him to never let that go. this child was so pumped up to learn about God, something that i wish i had every single day. and funny enough michael continued to encourage me in my own faith. one day we were talking about scripture and such and he asked me if i had read through the bible in its entirety. and i told him no. i was close but i had not done that. then he asked me why. i said because some of the books are boring (try reading Leviticus and 1 & 2 Chronicles without falling asleep), and then he looked at me and said "you need to read them. thats the next thing youre going to read." i said "yes, sir". it was funny, but its very humbling to be encouraged by a child. michael left, but thats not where our relationship ended. his mom actually contacted our team after they had left camp. she sent me a very encouraging email about michael. and he is still seeking after God. so good.</div><div>
<br /></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DH8TUj8W6SA/Tj1rJUVd9cI/AAAAAAAAAQI/XWtJaIrsR7E/s1600/IMG_1305.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DH8TUj8W6SA/Tj1rJUVd9cI/AAAAAAAAAQI/XWtJaIrsR7E/s320/IMG_1305.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637780116359476674" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y7lkNxjmvyA/Tj1rJGvmabI/AAAAAAAAAQA/xjEHAoRVkc0/s1600/IMG_1470.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></div><div>
<br /></div><div>i could honestly tell you many more stories, but i dont have the time or the hand strength to keep typing....sorry.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>but as i step away from the summer i really did learn how God provides. he is such a good and gracious God that we dont deserve to serve. but im so humbled that He chooses to use me daily. and i want to continue to be obedient in that. He will provide through me/us if we let Him. but we must make that choice. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>so as this part of my journey closes, and another one opens i will never forget the people i came in contact with, the decisions that were made, and the life change that happened--in my life as well as others. and with that i will leave you with this. a passage of scripture that i held on to tightly this summer. it comes from <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;">Isaiah 12</span>:</div><div>
<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">You</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 5px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">will say<sup class="xref" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-17902A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="line-height: 0.5em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; "></sup> in that day:"I will give thanks to you, O LORD,
<br />for though you were angry with me,
<br /><sup class="xref" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-17902B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="line-height: 0.5em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; "></sup>your anger turned away,
<br />that you might comfort me.</span></span><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">"Behold, God is my salvation;
<br />I will trust, and will not be afraid;
<br />for<sup class="xref" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-17903C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)" style="line-height: 0.5em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; "></sup> the LORD GOD</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 5px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">is my strength and my song,
<br />and he has become my salvation."</span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. And you will say in that day:
<br />
<br />"Give thanks to the LORD,
<br />call upon his name,
<br /><sup class="xref" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-17905G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)" style="line-height: 0.5em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; "></sup>make known his deeds among the peoples,
<br />proclaim<sup class="xref" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-17905H" title="See cross-reference H">H</a>)" style="line-height: 0.5em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; "></sup> that his name is exalted.</span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">"Sing praises to the LORD, for he has done gloriously;
<br />let this be made known</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 5px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">in all the earth.
<br />Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion,
<br />for great<sup class="xref" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-17907J" title="See cross-reference J">J</a>)" style="line-height: 0.5em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; "></sup> in your</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 5px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">midst is<sup class="xref" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-17907K" title="See cross-reference K">K</a>)" style="line-height: 0.5em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; "></sup> the Holy One of Israel."</span></span></p><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;">and here are some more of my favorite pictures from the summer:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;">
<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hoz9ItP9gQw/Tj1t8LU09QI/AAAAAAAAARQ/NeuOEOGS-zM/s1600/IMG_5196.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hoz9ItP9gQw/Tj1t8LU09QI/AAAAAAAAARQ/NeuOEOGS-zM/s320/IMG_5196.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637783189137454338" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>one of my favorite church groups...all third graders.</i></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y0fruKHg5Rk/Tj1t79QBVjI/AAAAAAAAARI/a67DzXqJuPw/s1600/IMG_0761.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;">
<br /></span></div><div>
<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uEdTsX8tb1c/Tj1wFnZ1lrI/AAAAAAAAASI/WdEH-2zLPaM/s1600/IMG_1300.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uEdTsX8tb1c/Tj1wFnZ1lrI/AAAAAAAAASI/WdEH-2zLPaM/s320/IMG_1300.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637785550316738226" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px; " /></a><i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i>me in the dunking booth @Skycroft...i got dunked 17 times in 5 minutes. womp womp.</i></span></div></i></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;">
<br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fi-BRn8cvvg/Tj1wFZ3kR5I/AAAAAAAAASA/4VlFBUlZj0g/s1600/IMG_1260.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fi-BRn8cvvg/Tj1wFZ3kR5I/AAAAAAAAASA/4VlFBUlZj0g/s320/IMG_1260.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637785546683336594" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px; " /></a><i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i>preach it Captain Collin!!</i></span></div></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;">
<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H2JGjEK1oqM/Tj1wFKAnHkI/AAAAAAAAAR4/4LD_q1Gkl0c/s1600/IMG_1341.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H2JGjEK1oqM/Tj1wFKAnHkI/AAAAAAAAAR4/4LD_q1Gkl0c/s320/IMG_1341.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637785542426304066" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px; " /></a><i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i>walking the Appalachian Trail on a day off with my bros.</i></span></div></i></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;">
<br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mu4I0jGYoMA/Tj1wFNq3nmI/AAAAAAAAARw/bbl6G3-NHGM/s1600/IMG_5282.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mu4I0jGYoMA/Tj1wFNq3nmI/AAAAAAAAARw/bbl6G3-NHGM/s320/IMG_5282.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637785543408852578" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a>
<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o8XHtB7fFfo/Tj1t8-rj5qI/AAAAAAAAARo/Id-Jh9Fjdng/s1600/IMG_1165.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o8XHtB7fFfo/Tj1t8-rj5qI/AAAAAAAAARo/Id-Jh9Fjdng/s320/IMG_1165.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637783202923013794" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px; " /></a><i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i>this is my Korean family from Sugarloaf!! they convinced me to eat some Korean food one night. it was actually pretty good. they were impressed i could use chopsticks....</i></span></div></i></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;">
<br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uzAuCZzLm-E/Tj1t8oQPNXI/AAAAAAAAARg/2QK99tlDq9s/s1600/IMG_1065.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uzAuCZzLm-E/Tj1t8oQPNXI/AAAAAAAAARg/2QK99tlDq9s/s320/IMG_1065.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637783196902831474" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>OMC. enough said.</i></div></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;">
<br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L286SEDn93E/Tj1t8VZRO1I/AAAAAAAAARY/0I8eKqBsh_A/s1600/IMG_0943.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L286SEDn93E/Tj1t8VZRO1I/AAAAAAAAARY/0I8eKqBsh_A/s320/IMG_0943.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637783191840439122" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px; " /></a><i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i>kids waiting to get into I Can't Wait...</i></span></div></i></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;">
<br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hoz9ItP9gQw/Tj1t8LU09QI/AAAAAAAAARQ/NeuOEOGS-zM/s1600/IMG_5196.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y0fruKHg5Rk/Tj1t79QBVjI/AAAAAAAAARI/a67DzXqJuPw/s1600/IMG_0761.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y0fruKHg5Rk/Tj1t79QBVjI/AAAAAAAAARI/a67DzXqJuPw/s320/IMG_0761.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637783185359197746" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px; " /></a>
<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MIMNlNobewI/Tj1tCBhvy1I/AAAAAAAAARA/ihGbehrXeHs/s1600/IMG_1174.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MIMNlNobewI/Tj1tCBhvy1I/AAAAAAAAARA/ihGbehrXeHs/s320/IMG_1174.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637782190074874706" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px; " /></a><i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i>this kid shot his arrow through a can. impressed? it was on accident....</i></span></div></i></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;">
<br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CSA9Raqhii0/Tj1tB8jKRUI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/OHUxardRYdM/s1600/IMG_0887.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CSA9Raqhii0/Tj1tB8jKRUI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/OHUxardRYdM/s320/IMG_0887.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637782188738626882" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px; " /></a>
<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tPhnz87u408/Tj1tBinrL7I/AAAAAAAAAQw/0KZcBeIAkpQ/s1600/IMG_0885.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tPhnz87u408/Tj1tBinrL7I/AAAAAAAAAQw/0KZcBeIAkpQ/s320/IMG_0885.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637782181778239410" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px; " /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mjiqzAD-m8w/Tj1tBfZlZBI/AAAAAAAAAQo/swjWc-cY4OU/s1600/IMG_1233.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></span></div><div>
<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mjiqzAD-m8w/Tj1tBfZlZBI/AAAAAAAAAQo/swjWc-cY4OU/s1600/IMG_1233.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mjiqzAD-m8w/Tj1tBfZlZBI/AAAAAAAAAQo/swjWc-cY4OU/s320/IMG_1233.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637782180913832978" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 238px; height: 320px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><i><div style="text-align: center; ">dont have a ladder? just use me. works the same, right?</div></i></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;">
<br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7AQrzJqmmTM/Tj1tBTPgXOI/AAAAAAAAAQg/ocZjciu5rk0/s320/IMG_5342.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637782177650334946" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7AQrzJqmmTM/Tj1tBTPgXOI/AAAAAAAAAQg/ocZjciu5rk0/s1600/IMG_5342.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7AQrzJqmmTM/Tj1tBTPgXOI/AAAAAAAAAQg/ocZjciu5rk0/s1600/IMG_5342.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7AQrzJqmmTM/Tj1tBTPgXOI/AAAAAAAAAQg/ocZjciu5rk0/s1600/IMG_5342.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><i><div style="text-align: center; ">my last week of camp i got to coach soccer. this was one of my tracks. </div><div style="text-align: center; ">a bunch of misfits if you ask me. :)</div></i></span></span></div></span></div>danteaguehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971856373641728276noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414653877606664362.post-12947197439343101952011-07-09T11:04:00.001-07:002011-07-09T11:17:46.554-07:00cultural shock.so im sitting here at a laundry mat writing this post....oh the life of a centrikid staffer.<div><br /></div><div>this summer has been an interesting one. i am being broken and renewed daily. from week one i can even say that it has been neat to see God take my heart and adapt and change it in the course of the past 5 weeks. </div><div><br /></div><div>a few thoughts on all of this:</div><div>-God has called me to teach.</div><div>-God has called me to preach.</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>*the two of these together may look differently than you would expect</div><div>-i have been falling more and more in love with the Word.</div><div>-my job is the best job ever.</div><div>-i am finding life long friends in the fellowship of the people im serving with.</div><div><br /></div><div>words i have claimed for myself this summer:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>love (<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;">1 John 4</span>)</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>abide (<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;">John 15:5</span>)</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>sacrifice (<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;">Isaiah 52</span>)</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>strength (<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;">Isaiah 41:10</span>)</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>slave (<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;">Philippians 1; 2 Timothy 2</span>)</div><div><br /></div><div>i know this is a bunch of random thoughts, but thats all i got for now :)</div><div><br /></div>danteaguehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971856373641728276noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414653877606664362.post-88053760878619735832011-06-18T21:45:00.000-07:002011-06-19T22:41:29.281-07:00love abounds.<div style="text-align: left;">**disclaimer: i wrote this post yesterday but didnt have internet until now to post. enjoy.</div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kFaVwARoe5U/Tf63ROonl_I/AAAAAAAAAPo/IEFfYEZwRxs/s1600/IMG_0808.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DWH7gpur9Gk/Tf63Py9Le6I/AAAAAAAAAPQ/6C4w0p5vIaA/s1600/IMG_5196.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal">so im now sitting in the van with some of the most amazing people ever right now having great conversation and epic dance parties….ill talk about them in a little bit. but for now an update on camp:</p><p class="MsoNormal">the past two weeks have been phenomenal! God really showed off, and i am so humbled to even be His servant. i have learned a lot about myself over the past two weeks and i cant explain into words how thankful i am that Lord has done that in my life. i have been in the camp scene for about 5 years now and honestly it always brings about something new. as many of you know, i am preaching at camp now and all i can say is that i am so not worthy to be on that stage. i feel that someone else should be up there and not me. but the neat thing about God is that He has called us all to do something great for Him. for me it is to be on that stage, even though i don’t like it. stepping out of my boat into the unknown is tough for me, but i really feel like my heart is being changed and renewed daily. praise God for that.</p><p class="MsoNormal">there are so many stories i could share about kids and adults, but that would take forever, but one of my favorites thus far was actually the other night when i sat down outside the auditorium with a kid, didn’t know his name, but we started talking. he told me that he was waiting on some of his friends. i asked him why, and he said that they were talking about there relationships with Christ. he told me that it brought more joy to him to hear and know that God was changing his friends lives then any other thing that went on that week. we sat and prayed for them all by name (well he prayed and i cried) but it was such a sweet moment for me to encourage him and pray with him.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">i also fell in love with my church group from FBC Paris this past week. i didn’t think that i could grow to love a group of people so much so fast. but i saw that these people loved the Lord, and by doing that they wanted to love on me. they prayed over me on wednesday night (by laying all those tiny, dirty hands on me—but it was still good) and i bawled. those voices calling out to God for me was amazing and i got a glimpse of what the Church is suppose to look like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> i </span>will always hold a place for that group of people in my heart. they are a part of my journey.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QVLICzoKmyY/Tf63Phw0VaI/AAAAAAAAAPI/IjEHJxSlqR4/s320/IMG_0940.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620130862394004898" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px; " /></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><i>FBC Paris and me!</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div>i guess to finish up i will talk about the staff a little bit. all i can say is that these people rock my face off! these people are so much fun and I know that i have lifelong friends from working with all of them! it has been so neat to watch God work in their lives and hear stories about how He is already changing them. im sure that i will post about these kids again soon, but for now I must get back to bonding time!</div> <p class="MsoNormal">Eckord College is our next stop. camp starts in two days. let’s get it!!!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>"My beloved friends, let us continue to love each other since love comes from God. Everyone who loves is born of God and experiences a relationship with God. The person who refuses to love doesn't know the first thing about God, because God is love—so you can't know him if you don't love. This is how God showed his love for us: God sent his only Son into the world so we might live through him. This is the kind of love we are talking about—not that we once upon a time loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to clear away our sins and the damage they've done to our relationship with God. My dear, dear friends, if God loved us like this, we certainly ought to love each other. No one has seen God, ever. But if we love one another, God dwells deeply within us, and his love becomes complete in us--perfect love!" <b>1 John 4:7-12 (MSG)</b></i></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span>now to leave you with a few pictures:</p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kFaVwARoe5U/Tf63ROonl_I/AAAAAAAAAPo/IEFfYEZwRxs/s1600/IMG_0808.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kFaVwARoe5U/Tf63ROonl_I/AAAAAAAAAPo/IEFfYEZwRxs/s320/IMG_0808.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620130891619080178" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px; " /></a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><i>all the little yellow babies after they won the captain's oar at OMC!</i>!</div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VoAvpZKp4Cg/Tf63Qk7lBLI/AAAAAAAAAPg/ZDwd2Mh636s/s1600/IMG_0870.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VoAvpZKp4Cg/Tf63Qk7lBLI/AAAAAAAAAPg/ZDwd2Mh636s/s1600/IMG_0870.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VoAvpZKp4Cg/Tf63Qk7lBLI/AAAAAAAAAPg/ZDwd2Mh636s/s320/IMG_0870.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620130880424314034" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px; " /></a><i></i></p><i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i>one of my favorite pictures in the whole world. captures the essence of OMC!</i></span></div></i><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7_ts4E5I1Eg/Tf63QGEHxRI/AAAAAAAAAPY/SYgJhec73Hc/s1600/IMG_0772.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7_ts4E5I1Eg/Tf63QGEHxRI/AAAAAAAAAPY/SYgJhec73Hc/s1600/IMG_0772.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7_ts4E5I1Eg/Tf63QGEHxRI/AAAAAAAAAPY/SYgJhec73Hc/s320/IMG_0772.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620130872138646802" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"><i>my amazing team!!</i></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DWH7gpur9Gk/Tf63Py9Le6I/AAAAAAAAAPQ/6C4w0p5vIaA/s320/IMG_5196.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620130867009256354" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DWH7gpur9Gk/Tf63Py9Le6I/AAAAAAAAAPQ/6C4w0p5vIaA/s1600/IMG_5196.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DWH7gpur9Gk/Tf63Py9Le6I/AAAAAAAAAPQ/6C4w0p5vIaA/s1600/IMG_5196.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DWH7gpur9Gk/Tf63Py9Le6I/AAAAAAAAAPQ/6C4w0p5vIaA/s1600/IMG_5196.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">best group of third graders ever. every single one of them had my heart!!</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-style: normal; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fycXVsKysFk/Tf66YtrbUvI/AAAAAAAAAPw/HAa7mHv2Cus/s320/IMG_1230.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620134318746325746" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">OH!! whose that?? just wanted to share this picture too. miss that beautiful face.</span></span></i></span></div> <!--EndFragment-->danteaguehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971856373641728276noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414653877606664362.post-37482265946790243312011-06-12T19:22:00.000-07:002011-06-12T19:27:03.729-07:00undeserving.i am so undeserving of everything that i have been given. as of recent i have been reminded who i am not and who He is. so needed.<div><br /></div><div>i dont deserve the gift of life that i hold on to so tightly.</div><div><br /></div><div>i dont deserve the friends that support and surround me.</div><div><br /></div><div>i dont deserve such a loving family.</div><div><br /></div><div>i dont deserve the honor and privilege of serving God through ministry at CentriKid Camps.</div><div><br /></div><div>i dont deserve such an amazing girlfriend.</div><div><br /></div><div>i dont deserve the provision that He so graciously gives me.</div><div><br /></div><div>i am nothing without Him. </div><div><br /></div><div>thank You for reminding me of who i am without You. i love You Lord.</div>danteaguehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971856373641728276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414653877606664362.post-20693882196529643882011-05-23T07:02:00.001-07:002011-05-23T10:47:59.029-07:00a million miles to go.<div style="text-align: left;">well it has been quite some time since i have given this bad boy a look, and for that i apologize (not like its a necessary part of anyone's day or anything). but i will now try and put into words the amazing week that i have had as of recent...</div><div><div><br /></div><div>on friday morning i drove on over to macon, ms to spend time with one of my people that holds a special place in my heart, Laura Register. her cousin haley was getting married and she invited me to come to the wedding with her a few months ago. i decided to go because im pretty sure that i was falling for this girl. anyways i get to the venue, in a not so populated area, and ended up having one of the best wedding weekends ever (this is outside of yours bro and sis). through the laughter, the smiles, and the pictures, this weekend turned out to be more than i ever expected. laura is now my girlfriend (im sure you were waiting for that part) and i couldnt be more blessed. one of my favorite parts about the weekend, which she blogged about as well, was when i decided to get up the morning of the wedding and walk around the lake and pray. i found out later that laura was praying on the other side of the lake at the same time. she is a special girl, and i am so glad that she is captivated by her Maker and she wants to spend time with Him!</div></div><div><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0TZtYpMaYHk/TdprjoF4sII/AAAAAAAAAOc/6OR6mk7opIw/s1600/IMG_1445.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0TZtYpMaYHk/TdprjoF4sII/AAAAAAAAAOc/6OR6mk7opIw/s320/IMG_1445.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609914545645072514" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E-Ta8EE7hL0/Tdprjb7MINI/AAAAAAAAAOU/v7XB8ShJ3-s/s1600/IMG_1457.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E-Ta8EE7hL0/Tdprjb7MINI/AAAAAAAAAOU/v7XB8ShJ3-s/s320/IMG_1457.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609914542378983634" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-esScTg_O9Vs/TdprjLilWKI/AAAAAAAAAOM/bc91ZfbEshI/s1600/IMG_1440.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-esScTg_O9Vs/TdprjLilWKI/AAAAAAAAAOM/bc91ZfbEshI/s320/IMG_1440.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609914537980811426" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-APGTafDfvws/TdprimK1avI/AAAAAAAAAOE/bacFL4hc0Hg/s1600/IMG_1230.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-APGTafDfvws/TdprimK1avI/AAAAAAAAAOE/bacFL4hc0Hg/s320/IMG_1230.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609914527949089522" /></a><br />well after an amazing weekend at the wedding we head back to clinton, ms to finish up my weekend with my family in jackson. now i dont have any biological family, but the people that i have grown to love there are my family. saturday night after the wedding we headed to a braves baseball game and had an amazing night laughing with @touchdownmom @jacketchin @mohawkarmbandkid and @jackedupbraid7! (i know this isnt twitter, but me and laura have decided to make twitter names for people and tag them in tweets. you'd be surprised how many are real--you should try it sometime) it was a wonderfully great night for baseball and i am so glad that she enjoys it just as much as i do!!<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tbnlylgWMgw/TdptAmkdpwI/AAAAAAAAAO0/CWj7s9lEkVY/s320/IMG_9269.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609916142964287234" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6du35UUX_e0/TdptAYUcvUI/AAAAAAAAAOs/aRaYjgZ-oNo/s320/IMG_9259.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609916139139022146" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ms6pEycYeC0/Tdps_7zgCCI/AAAAAAAAAOk/RoVA6Vm0ptg/s320/IMG_9253.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609916131484633122" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">the next day i actually had one of the saddest days ive had in a long time. i had to say goodbye to the most amazing church family as well as some amazing co-workers. i am leaving behind an amazing season of growth in my life, but the beauty of it all is that i get to come back in august and start back right where i left off. i will have a new job and everything, but i will be around the same awesomely loving people that hold a place in my heart.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">after we said our goodbyes to clinton, ms we headed due east to the beautiful city of birmingham. my grandparents live there and i figured i would stop in with my amazing awesome girlfriend and say hello. we had a great time listening to stories, talking about Jesus, and watching awesome movies! the best part, i think, is when they tried to embarrass me by telling laura stories about my childhood, but the ironic thing is that i have already told her most of the stories anyway(at least the good ones). </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">well after an amazing lunch with the gp's on tuesday, we headed south to the wonderful town of brewton, al....this section gets its own paragraph....</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">back in february, laura and i had the wonderful opportunity to serve the Lord at a DNOW in brewton, al. we met these folks at camp and knew that the Lord would bless us with more time with them, but we were so unaware of the relationships that would be formed. we went back this past week for two days and stayed with wonderful Winton family. Randy is the youth pastor at the church and he and his wife, Rachel, have 4 amazing boys, Caleb, Joshua, Noah, and Jonah. i just loved the presence of the Lord with that family. we laughed and played, talked and prayed. the times we had were amazing and i cant wait to go back. as we pulled out of the driveway on wednesday night, with all of them waving goodbye in the driveway, i thought to myself how much i want my family to be like theirs. Randy and Rachel have an amazing godly relationship, and you can see the love of God in everything they say and do. and the boys, well they are being brought up in a godly home. their family prayed together before bed, and prayed together before they left for the day. such a beautiful picture of the family and how God set it up to be. im so blessed to know this family and i cant wait to see them again. i know that laura and i have a place in brewton and it definitely has a place in us.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_YnByLlBQ6I/TdqcLLiC5hI/AAAAAAAAAO8/nuYlxy2NyZY/s320/227557_2090570028542_1373981585_2496467_6922459_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609968001731454482" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">well the next few days we traveled back to decatur so i could go to my doctors appointment and left on thursday night to head to powder springs where laura is from. we moved nonstop the entire last week, but its a week that i never want to forget. i grew so much in my relationship with laura and i cant wait to see the journey that the Lord is going to take us on. we have a "million miles to go" and im ready for the adventure ahead. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FF33;"><i>"Your life is a journey you must travel with a deep consciousness of God..." 1 Peter 1:18 (MSG)</i></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FF33;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; "><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">and my God will go and i will follow. no matter where i end up. He is my guide.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div></span></i></span></span></span></div>danteaguehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971856373641728276noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414653877606664362.post-26414657173934277692011-04-28T07:25:00.000-07:002011-04-28T11:26:57.430-07:00shaken.<div>in the aftermath of the devastating storms that stretched across the south yesterday i am in a state of shock and fear. i feel so helpless. i think i have cried more over the past two days for the people of alabama then i have all year. my heart is hurting.</div><div><br /></div><div>i sat in the church office yesterday and watched a massive tornado utterly devastate the city where i spent an amazing season of growth in my life for four years. i felt like the memories and the friendships were getting destroyed. it literally felt like something was being ripped from my spirit as i watched the scene. it was kinda like one of those movies where there seems to be so much chaos going on around the main character and then everything suddenly slows down and goes quiet. almost deafening.</div><div><br /></div><div>as i continue to read the news reports, the facebook statuses, and the twitter updates this morning, my heart continues to ache. but all along my heart never ceases to do one simple act of obedience: give the Father glory.</div><div><br /></div><div>that is a hard thing to do when it feels like a piece of you has been shredded to pieces. its a hard thing to do when you know that your home town will be without power for 5 days and your family is helpless. its a hard thing to do when you know that friends are in the hospital in pain. its a hard thing to do when i know that thousands of people are now homeless and jobless. but what does my heart tell me? "<i>my heart will sing no other name but Jesus.</i>"</div><div><br /></div><div>i came across this passage of scripture this morning in <b>Hebrews 12</b>:</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;">"Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe,"</span> (<b>v28</b>) </div><div><br /></div><div>i am thankful that even though my temporary home here may be torn apart, my home in heaven will NEVER perish. i am grateful that my Father in heaven is "close to the crushed in spirit". i am overjoyed to know that my God has all this under control.</div><div><br /></div><div>so now what?</div>my very being has been shaken. but what is my response? praise.<div>what will your response be? now? or in the days, months, and years to come?</div>danteaguehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971856373641728276noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414653877606664362.post-25069197567891513202011-04-06T20:32:00.000-07:002011-04-06T20:45:48.744-07:00i stay amazed.wow. to God be the glory forever and ever. <div><br /></div><div>i dont know what to say.</div><div><br /></div><div>God, you never cease to amaze me. i want to pour out my life for you Lord. thank You. i love You.</div><div><br /></div><div>ok, so recently God has been doing some legit stuff all around me. from underground church last weekend, to a kid named mike giving his life to Christ on Sunday, to me praying with a teary eyed kid in the bathroom who doesnt know whats going on in his life, to seeing that God has wrapped Himself in everything we say and do at church. i just want to praise Him. </div><div><br /></div><div>i knew it was coming, and i had felt it coming for the longest time, but i finally broke down and cried on the phone with <a href="http://lreg-footsteps.blogspot.com/">Laura</a> the other day because of the joy that the Lord has placed in my heart. its so neat to be a part of His story. </div><div><br /></div><div>this is such an incredible journey. i am so excited to go with Him. and i pray that He continues to go before me. that way i make it about Him and not me.</div><div><br /></div><div>ill leave you with this:</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;">It wasn't so long ago that you were mired in that old stagnant life of sin. You let the world, which doesn't know the first thing about living, tell you how to live. You filled your lungs with polluted unbelief, and then exhaled disobedience. We all did it, all of us doing what we felt like doing, when we felt like doing it, all of us in the same boat. It's a wonder God didn't lose his temper and do away with the whole lot of us. Instead, immense in mercy and with an incredible love, he embraced us. He took our sin-dead lives and made us alive in Christ. He did all this on his own, with no help from us! Then he picked us up and set us down in highest heaven in company with Jesus, our Messiah. Now God has us where he wants us, with all the time in this world and the next to shower grace and kindness upon us in Christ Jesus. Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It's God's gift from start to finish! We don't play the major role. If we did, we'd probably go around bragging that we'd done the whole thing! No, we neither make nor save ourselves. God does both the making and saving. He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing. But don't take any of this for granted. It was only yesterday that you outsiders to God's ways had no idea of any of this, didn't know the first thing about the way God works, hadn't the faintest idea of Christ. You knew nothing of that rich history of God's covenants and promises in Israel, hadn't a clue about what God was doing in the world at large. Now because of Christ—dying that death, shedding that blood—you who were once out of it altogether are in on everything. -Ephesians 2:1-13 (MSG)</span></span></div>danteaguehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971856373641728276noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414653877606664362.post-38367680552139675912011-03-28T16:13:00.000-07:002011-03-28T20:19:31.650-07:00kentucky fried chicken.so i am sitting here in class ready for this day to be over with....but due to the fact that i cant leave and i need to be here i will make the most of my time here....writing a post will suffice.<div><br /></div><div>this semester has begun to fly by faster than i hoped that it would. however, i will say that i have no room to complain at all. i have grown so much over the past few months and i couldn't be more excited about what the Lord is doing in, through, and around me. He is so good!</div><div><br /></div><div>i have had an extreme desire to read as of late, which is weird. if you know me i don't do that. i can read, i just don't prefer to. so, do you have any suggestions? maybe on ministry, life, humor, or imaginativeness.</div><div><br /></div><div>i want to get away again. i know that i just got back from Spain and all, but there are other reasons why i want to leave. i love adventure. i'm so glad the Lord put that desire in my life.</div><div><br /></div><div>.....i wish all of you could see my teacher right now. he kind of reminds me of colonel sanders... you know, KFC....</div>danteaguehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971856373641728276noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414653877606664362.post-58890398375383003992011-03-23T21:40:00.000-07:002011-03-23T21:48:28.382-07:00you're worth it all.i lay down my crown for You my King<div>i wish i had more that i could bring</div><div>compared to Your love, it seems so small</div><div>but You want my heart, so i give it all</div><div><br /></div><div>You're worth it all, You're worth it all</div><div>whatever it costs, You're worth it all</div><div>each day that i live, i'm willing to give</div><div>whatever it costs, You're worth it all</div><div><br /></div><div>i lift up my hands just to say</div><div>i give you my dreams, they're Yours to make</div><div>compared to You love, they seem so small</div><div>for You have my heart, Lord, You have it all</div><div><br /></div><div><div>You're worth it all, You're worth it all</div><div>whatever it costs, You're worth it all</div><div>each day that i live, i'm willing to give</div><div>whatever it costs, You're worth it all</div></div><div><br /></div><div>i give You my dreams, You're worth it all</div><div>i give You my crown, You're worth it all</div><div>i give You my soul, You're worth it all</div><div>i give You control, You're worth it all</div><div>i give You my love, You're worth it all</div><div>i give You my pride, You're worth it all</div><div>i give you my heart, You're worth it all</div><div>Lord, i give it all, You're worthy</div>danteaguehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971856373641728276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414653877606664362.post-91083264671416235102011-03-20T15:52:00.000-07:002011-03-20T16:39:37.576-07:00overwhelmed.<div style="text-align: left;">so yesterday and today i have been overwhelmed beyond belief; and in all actuality they were on two completely opposite norms.</div><div><br /></div><div>yesterday evening as i was driving through the south of france (yeah, legit, i know) i looked to my left and saw the beautifully painted sky with the mediterranean with the waves crashing on the shore below it. then i looked to my right and saw the foothills of the alps covered in snow with the sun going down overhead. so, as one can tell i didnt know what to do with myself....so i took some pictures. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xPoaFVUAKJM/TYaOXvi9UdI/AAAAAAAAANU/_3R0fQlK3So/s1600/IMG_0431.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xPoaFVUAKJM/TYaOXvi9UdI/AAAAAAAAANU/_3R0fQlK3So/s320/IMG_0431.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586308926350905810" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XlS7FvEMTts/TYaOXLkZpII/AAAAAAAAANM/sRPCPB2r1ZU/s320/IMG_0412.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586308916693279874" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px; " /></span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XlS7FvEMTts/TYaOXLkZpII/AAAAAAAAANM/sRPCPB2r1ZU/s1600/IMG_0412.JPG"></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XlS7FvEMTts/TYaOXLkZpII/AAAAAAAAANM/sRPCPB2r1ZU/s1600/IMG_0412.JPG"></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XlS7FvEMTts/TYaOXLkZpII/AAAAAAAAANM/sRPCPB2r1ZU/s1600/IMG_0412.JPG"></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>from there i just spent some time in silent prayer as i watched the sun go down and felt the rush of the cold mediterranean water between my toes. it was so good. i was reminded of the good things the Lord has done and will do in my life. i was also reminded of how much He cares for me. He made all of those things so beautifully breathtaking, yet He still cares for me (and you) so much more.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;">"The earth is the L</span></span><span style="font-variant: small-caps; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;">ord</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;">’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him. For he laid the earth’s foundation on the seas and built it on the ocean depths." Psalm 24:1-2</span></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div>and then today when i got back from france, got some food in my stomach, and rested for a little bit, i decided to go on a walk. i went down to the river and my heart broke completely. here in spain they locals love to get down by the river and hang out. but this hanging out includes drinking, drugs, sexual relations of all sorts, and many other things. i didnt know what else to do but pray. so thats what i did. i walked and prayed for the people. i prayed that the Lord would wake them up and that they would be sensitive to the Spirit and what the Lord has to offer them because it is so much more than what the world has to offer them. all i could think of was why i didnt know another language. i wish i did because i would have immediately begin taking the gospel to the streets. but then again i think of the scripture in <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;">Matthew 10</span> where He will be our words and we shouldnt worry about what to say.....</div><div><br /></div><div>so there it is. im overwhelmed by a God who has made all and loves all, but loves us so much more. i think thats why my heart is so overwhelmed. because i feel the heartbeat of my Savior....</div>danteaguehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971856373641728276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414653877606664362.post-40260185433452425252011-03-16T03:57:00.000-07:002011-03-16T17:07:07.743-07:00pictures via spain.<div style="text-align: center;">these are some of the photos i was gonna post yesterday (+some). enjoy....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6M8IF6R5qbM/TYCZzB22oNI/AAAAAAAAALA/aCyfKkKgzXg/s400/IMG_0145.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584632639890301138" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;">one the way to charlotte.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VgdvddQLiQk/TYCZzIDTzBI/AAAAAAAAALI/M0eInfhCt3k/s400/IMG_0147.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584632641553157138" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;">about to leave for spain..</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0tOl2Rvslfo/TYCZzUFVQxI/AAAAAAAAALQ/HOroHMCbsqM/s400/IMG_4872.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584632644782867218" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JIGmG0wTIeU/TYCZzvbUA2I/AAAAAAAAALY/g0wGj8etguI/s400/IMG_4881.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584632652122817378" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zs9kREM089I/TYDKrSuWSfI/AAAAAAAAALw/9Clrpb9WF1A/s400/IMG_4893.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584686383048837618" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;">the awesome cathedral.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dID7p5P7Wck/TYDKq6JQ2dI/AAAAAAAAALo/ZR1wyR4wzAw/s400/IMG_4901.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584686376450841042" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;">this is john the baptist. i dont know where they found his head?</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4y4E7GLlZ5g/TYDKqg9hzQI/AAAAAAAAALg/oJIR_f4iyDU/s400/IMG_4917.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584686369690733826" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WKrRceEmvo8/TYD-kuHIQiI/AAAAAAAAAL4/lp44Wkcbgik/s400/IMG_4937.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584743444746093090" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l-oNzCeQBbo/TYED1sdNfuI/AAAAAAAAAMI/bqnje168v4A/s400/IMG_4990.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584749233917755106" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;">the view from the top.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iPiquEn3d_I/TYD-lOwhahI/AAAAAAAAAMA/J7beD3Dr9S0/s400/IMG_4976.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584743453509642770" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SV34Kimc9FQ/TYED1zyqoJI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/I4tlmkmWGIA/s400/IMG_0148.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584749235886792850" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0tzZu_KMVJk/TYEQHVlEsVI/AAAAAAAAAMo/9OyeZrBRZBM/s400/IMG_0181.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584762731153895762" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LnYpJqtb-xk/TYEQHEBRMNI/AAAAAAAAAMg/p9LoNztCC5M/s400/IMG_0167.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584762726440317138" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_q2m-8OvtJg/TYEQG1Xh4-I/AAAAAAAAAMY/J1Dw0aQvR-Q/s400/IMG_0158.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584762722507154402" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;">the bull fighting ring...so legit.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xnsHvaO54Xs/TYFOPGTrzoI/AAAAAAAAAMw/BVFwl3-m9d8/s400/IMG_0195.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584831034214305410" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;">SPANISH CEREAL!!!!!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y1QAmqew4qY/TYFOPZFdsgI/AAAAAAAAAM4/R749oZJ4m9c/s400/IMG_0208.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584831039254934018" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;">this is the plaza de espana. they filmed star wars here. yeah!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EBpPMCLU76I/TYFOP3K2mkI/AAAAAAAAANA/569zuAoxyFg/s400/IMG_0227.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584831047330601538" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>danteaguehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971856373641728276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414653877606664362.post-55472571952826853642011-03-15T16:49:00.000-07:002011-03-15T17:48:50.984-07:00post número uno de españa.<div style="text-align: left;">well greetings everyone. so i have been in spain now for a few days and i am totally having the best time ever. its so good to be in a new place and all hanging out with family and walking a bazillion miles everywhere! so good.</div><div><br /></div><div>well i guess i shall start from the beginning. so i woke up on sunday morning at 5:30 due a phone call that awakened my rem. i wont hold it against this person, but i would prefer that it wouldnt happen again on day light savings time :)....</div><div><br /></div><div>so i arrived at the airport and all safe and sound and i began my journey waiting for 45 minutes. but truthfully it was completely fine because i absolutely love airports. specifically, i love the people in airports. i legit sat in my chair pretending to listen to music, but instead listened to people. people have stories to tell. i wasnt being nosey (at least i didnt think so), but folks are just so interesting. it's neat to see the differences in people which reminds me how special the Father made each and every single one of us. reminds me of Psalm 139 when He tells us that we are "fearfully and WONDERFULLY made". all of us. mm. so good.</div><div><br /></div><div>well i get on my flight to charlotte, and i pondered in my head "who i will have the joy of sitting next to" (thats not sarcasm, i really find joy in the folks i sit next to), and lets just say that each of the individuals was a pleasure sitting by. the first was this huge, muscular, black man. he was totally legit, but i didnt get to talk to him much because he kept to himself. but his son played in the Liberty Bowl last year and they won, so he had acool ring on his finger.....</div><div><br /></div><div>but since he wouldnt talk to me i decided to talk to the person who would. and He reminded me how cool He is....</div><div><br /></div><div>well i make my stop in charlotte and immediately begin making my way to my next flight to philadelphia. i didnt have a lot of time so i had to book it! well i get there in about enough time for like a 5 minute break before we began boarding. so i get on this plane and i shared the row with a girl named elizabeth. we talked the whole hour and 45 minutes to philly. it was awesome! we talked about our lives, where we were going, what we wanted to do, etc. etc. etc. well i got to share a little bit of my faith her as well...it broke my heart because she turned immediately away from the Truth. but, like Jesus tells us in <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;"><b><i>Luke 10:16</i></b>, "The one who hears you hears me, and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects the one who sent me."</span> it isnt my place to make someone listen. its that conscious choice that we make. i just pray that her heart will be healed one day. i have a feeling she is holding on to a lot (conversations had), but the Lord is sovereign over circumstances, trust me, i know.</div><div><br /></div><div>well i make the stop in philly, and got a little break. but it kind of hit me, i was about to be flying 5 billion-trillion miles above the ocean in the middle of no-where. so i made a phone call or two (literally only two) and got on that big old steel bird. i was about to be off on an amazing trip....and did i mention that it was at sunset? yeah, i took this little guy before i took off......</div><div><br /></div><div>so we get in the air and i once again sat next to an awesome person! her name was cecilia and she was from argentina. she now lives in spain with her family and all. she was legit! made my trip go by faster. but there were times when i took to my self (we had 8 hours so i think i needed to give her a break). so there were times when i would just throw on the ipod or watch a movie and just relax. one specific instance i was listening to some Jesus music and i turn and look out the window and i looked into the night sky, and i began to cry. not out of sadness, but out of joy. i looked out and saw an amazing creation and didnt know what else to do but praise and thank Him for the billions of stars that could be seen at that moment over the atlantic.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;">"the moon and the stars to rule over the night, for His steadfast love endures forever." Psalm 136:9</span> its because of his love that the stars hang there to bring us beautiful light. wow. so good.</div><div><br /></div><div>well, my flight lands in madrid spain at 7am monday morning, and now its time for me to make my trek to seville, spain which is about 2.5 hours south. i felt like i was on the amazing race! oh, and a side note: i didnt sleep at all on sunday, lost an hour in the states, and lost 7 more coming to spain, yet i still kept going. i make it to the train station with what little spanish i knew and eventually made it to seville, and guess who was waiting there for me?!? thats right! my big bro!!!! we kissed and hugged and played patty cake right there in the train station! (ok, not really, but it was a glorious reunion). we walk outside and it was raining. but that didnt stop us from making the 30 minute walk to get to where we were going. and when we arrived i greeted emma and our friend lyndon and immediately turned and walked right back out the door. we had a lot to do in so little time!! </div><div><br /></div><div>our first stop was the cathedral in spain. wow. it was humungous!! (3rd largest in the world, 1st largest gothic cathedral). i was blown away. everything was old and gothicy...even the supposed remains of christopher columbus..... </div><div><br /></div><div>we then went to some royal gardens and had an amazing time there as well! it is so neat to feel the history around me in the things i encounter. yeah, my teacherness just came out. ill punch you if you dont like it.....and we walked around town, went to an awesome restaurant, and then went home and crashed at about 11. my bro had to go to work in the morning so we had to get the baby in bed....ok i was tired too. no sleep in almost 48 hours catches up to you....</div><div><br /></div><div>so we get up today and i probably had the best time today. i got to hang out with my brother a whole lot just me and him. we talked about a lot and laugh and be serious and all the jazz. we did get to go see what i think turned out to be my favorite of the whole trip. i bet you cant guess what this place is?</div><div><br /></div><div>ok, this is called the plaza de españa and they filmed a scene from star wars in it!!!!!!!! loved it all!!! after we visit this place for a while, we headed over to play soccer with some friends, and then walked back. turns out we walked 6 miles today and my feet were feeling it....emma made some legit homemade pasta for dinner and we watched megamind to wrap up the day. im having a blast and i cant wait for the next few days to occur. bring it on!!</div><div><br /></div><div>so here is to a good day, the goodness of the Lord, and more adventures!! goodnight all!!</div><div><br /></div><div>**ok the picture loader isnt working right, so anywhere where there is a statement about a picture, please ignore it. ill post pics on facebook laters. k, thanks.</div>danteaguehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971856373641728276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414653877606664362.post-71154299474720984222011-03-10T10:30:00.000-08:002011-03-11T12:16:45.490-08:00candy.so i look at this post title and just have to laugh due to the fact that me, landon, and one of his buddies have a joke about the word candy, but the title is very fitting for this post....<div><br /></div><div>so this past week, the Lord floored me. i showed up to Hillcrest on wednesday expecting to attend chapel, grab the track team, and go to our track meet. but boy was i ever wrong. i wasnt ready for what the Lord was about to do. and i was so humbled.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.adriandespres.com/">adrian duspres</a> came and led out for the Lord during spiritual emphasis week at school and i was so privileged to be a apart of his work on this day. this man is so hyped up for Jesus it is ridiculous. he is ADD, loud, emotional, and quite hilarious. and all these things matched together make for an amazing vessel to be used. he began speaking, and i was immediately engaged into what he was talking about. he set out four chairs in the middle of the gym floor and told us all that everyone in the room was in one of the four chairs. each chair was defined as follows:</div><div><b>chair #1</b>-the person who sits in this chair is passionately in love with Jesus Christ. they are engaged in what the Lord is doing and wants to be a apart of His amazing purposes. this person struggles today with the others in the remaining chairs (which will be described in a second and hopefully the connection will be made) and so its very hard to sit in the chair. but those that do stand out like a sore thumb (i just now realized that this visual of a sore thumb is an odd one....)</div><div><b>chair #2</b>-people who sit in this chair are those that have become comfortable with God. meaning that they are ok with the things that God is doing and arent being challenged in their faith. there are a lot of these people today. here, there is not much room for growth because this person will not allow it. the person who sits in this chair passes judgement on the person sitting in the 1st seat because they cant comprehend the passion that is consuming that persons life. Jesus describes this person in <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;">Revelation 3:16</span> stating, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;">"So because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth." </span>and if this doesnt make you cringe, ive read and heard this verse claiming that these individuals are hypocrites. and hypocrites sicken Christ.</div><div><b>chair #4</b>: (yes i know i skipped) the person in this chair is the person who knows without a doubt that they do not have a relationship with the Lord. they are lost. they are dead. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;">Romans 3:23</span> says, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;">"For the wages of sin is death..."</span> they have not received the gift of eternal life through Christ Jesus. people in this chair are turned off to Jesus because of the people that they see in chair #2. they see the way they live and feel that there is no difference between the way their lives are lived. they dont see the people in the first seat because there are so few....</div><div><b>chair #3</b>: these are those individuals who think that they are in seat #2 but really arent. they are blinded and so easily deceived. they too look at the people in seat #1 and pass judgement, yet there faces are veiled from the harsh reality of the truth. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;">2 Corinthians 4:3-4</span> says, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;">"And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God."</span></div><div>so he laid it out plain and simple. and the response was phenominal. i began praying in the middle of his talk for the Lord to grab some kids hearts, and he sure did. when he asked for those who feel like they are in seats #3 and #4, kids all across the gym began to stand up. immediately i began to sob at the fact that God was moving, and you could feel His presence in that place. i ended up getting to pray with about 15 boys and the decisions that they were making. it was so powerful.</div><div><br /></div><div>that night, all of the churches in the area met up at CWBC for some worship and to continue the week with adrian. worship was great and you could see the hearts crying out to God, but what startled me most was what one of the worship leaders said afterwards. he said that some kids just stood there with there arms folded or in their pockets and they didnt even once open their mouths. i was astonished due to the simple truth that God was evident in that place. but i know, and was quickly reminded what Jesus said in <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;">John 6:65 , "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them.</span>" but that can be unpacked on a different day....</div><div><br /></div><div>so the night continues on and God speaks so strongly to some of these kids. adrian spoke about Christmas and Jesus' birthday. he wanted all of us to bring some gift to the Lord that night, and then went in to detail about the gifts that God gave us: <b>1. He gave us the gift of His Son being born and knowing that He was going to be born before He was born.</b> (yeah, a little complicated. read it again.) Jesus knew that He had to be fully man to take our punishment <b>2. He gave us the gift of us.</b> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;">"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God created beforehand, that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:10</span> ; we were all created for a purpose, and there are NO accidents. <b>3. He gave us the gift of imputation. </b>God has imputed us. He has made us right before God. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;">"The words 'it was credited to him' were not written for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness--for us who believe in Him, who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead." Romans 4:23-24</span> <b>4. He gave us the gift of propitiation.</b> the wrath of God was satisfied through Christ. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;">"By His wounds you are healed." 1 Peter 2:24</span> </div><div>after all this was laid out in great detail, he told us a story of his daughter. he described a time when he was at his daughter's school and he had to entertain the students for a while. he ran out of games and instead used candy as a con to waste time. he through all the candy out on the gym floor and told the kids to go and get it. everyone got candy except this one little girl. his daughter ran over to her and she gave all of her candy away to her. she was upset that her dad was going to be mad at her because she did that, and adrian assured her that it was the complete opposite. he looked at her in the face and told her that its ok that you gave up your candy, because he had the whole bag of candy. immediately, i began to think about the candy, the things that i was holding on to selfishly, and what i needed to give over to Him. he asked us again what we wanted to bring before God. and i knew without a doubt what i wanted to bring Him. i got down on my knees beside the Christmas tree (a random tree that was found on our stage) and prayed. i gave my feet, hands, and mouth to the Lord. meaning that he has entrusted me with the gospel and i must speak it, hold it, and carry it to whomever i must. </div><div><br /></div><div>so what are you holding on to? what do you need to give up to move seats? i dont know whats on your hearts, but what i do know is that you need to give up your candy, because He has the whole bag. He has given you everything.</div>danteaguehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971856373641728276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5414653877606664362.post-18416014621559324112011-03-04T21:09:00.000-08:002011-03-08T10:25:30.993-08:00the battle.long time no blog, but needless to say, the past couple of weeks have been so very interesting, yet so very needed. last week the Lord really started working on me and some of my friends in the context of what He is doing among us and the roles at church that He has placed us in. we got together on a tuesday 2 weeks ago to pray and let me tell you that there is no way on earth that any one person could have walked in that room and not felt the presence of the Lord. it was so powerful. we ended up praying for what seemed like 10 minutes but really turned out to be an hour and a half. so good. it is neat to see a passion that the Lord has given you revealed in others as well. but that is how the church is supposed to be, isnt it?<div><br /></div><div>as the week went on, i posted on my need and want to <a href="http://danielteague.blogspot.com/2011/02/run.html">run</a>. well, i did just that. i went home and got away, and i actually ran in a race. it was so much fun because i got to run it with my parents (well they walked/ran) but i came in 7th out of 210 people, and came in 1st in my age group. i was actually really impressed with myself. bum knees and all! but something that i learned through this whole thing was the self discipline of the people running in the race. for most of the people there, they werent in it just for the fun of it. yes it was fun, but the goal for everyone was to run. and that simple fact was a huge encouragement to me. the discipline that i have in my running is improving (it has to--7 miles this past sunday...) but its also giving me a good perspective on the spiritual self discipline that i need.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;">For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and <b><i>self-discipline</i></b>. So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. -2 Timothy 1:6-8</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div>but after the race i came back to Clinton on sunday morning for church and got to fellowship with my church family, which i absolutely love. but what happened that night was so much more profound. so landon and i have decided to meet on sunday afternoons to talk and pray and such, and this past sunday he asked me about some pieces of scripture that he has been trying to wrap his mind around. they are as follows:</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs he was performing and believed in his name. But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people. He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person. -John 2:23-25</span></span></span></div><div><span class="woj"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="woj"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life.</span></span></span></span><span class="woj"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> Yet there are some of you who do not believe.”</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. He went on to say, </span></span></span><span class="woj"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">“This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them.” </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. </span></span></span><span class="woj"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">“You do not want to leave too, do you?”</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.” -John 6:63-69</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div>well we talked about them for a little but and i told him that i would try and dig a little deeper into them and give him some feedback. well i did. and i wasnt ready for what revelation had occurred. as i got to looking at the passages of scripture they all began to circulate back to one particular scripture that has been heavy on our youth group for quite some time now, and thats <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;">John 15:5</span>, which says, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;">"I am the vine, you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."</span> it all boils down to whether or not you have a superficial faith that is in it for the attraction of the spectacular, or if you genuinely believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that that fact changes the way you believe. you believe out of shear love. and what is interesting about this whole process is how landon approached me about it. he genuinely sought out an answer with all this and couldnt find it. but the Lord had placed this passage on his heart and he wanted to understand that. and thats how i want to respond to scripture. i want it to consume me to the very core to the extent that if i dont understand something i wont settle on it until i figure out an answer.</div><div><br /></div><div>on a lighter, yet serious, note, a sweet friend of mine, <a href="http://lreg-footsteps.blogspot.com/">laura</a>, came for a visit and i cant tell you how much that meant to me. we talked about life, friends, family, Jesus, struggle, and hardships. we talked about praises and prayer requests. it was so good. but when she left on thursday, i wish that she could have stayed, but she had to go back. i am, however, pretty positive that i will see here fairly soon...</div><div><br /></div><div>this past thursday night i got to meet up again with the youth leadership team to continue to discuss and pray about the future of the ministry. and let me tell you that it was once again a very precious time with the Lord. it was so good to hear those hearts cry out again. it is such a good glimpse of how we are suppose to call out to him. and i was reminded of the scripture in Jeremiah 33:3 where the Lord tells Jeremiah to, "Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things you do not know." so often i have failed to simply cry out and let God know my heart, and even further i have failed to stop and listen after i cry out so that i can know God's heart. it is what he desires of us. to be in fellowship with Him. to be one with Him. to worship Him.</div><div><br /></div><div>we have all started a bible study called the battle recently (on March 4th actually--the only day of the year that is a command--March Forth, get it?) and i dont think that it is a coincidence that we began a study by this name on this particular day. God is so neat in the way that He does things. and with this whole study He is rocking my world. honestly, i dont know what to do with myself. every single day relates directly to what is going through in my life and they all reciprocate off of one another. it is challenging me to dig into scripture, memorize scripture, and pray intently. things that are much needed and not done far enough in my life. i am on an incredible journey and i cant wait to see where it takes me!!</div><div><br /></div><div>lastly, i found out my team placement for <a href="http://www.centrikidblog.com/">camp</a> this coming summer. i will be serving as camp pastor for CK7! 7-11 babby!!!! ALL DAY EVERY DAY!!!! haha, but no seriously i am toally pumped about the individuals that i will be serving with as well as the role the Lord has for me this summer. one of my prayers is that i will be able to serve and lead this team spiritually all summer long. through pain and suffering, through good and bad, through joy and gladness. i want to be all i can for these folks and that has a lot to do with my heart going in to camp. i pray that i am being strengthened and renewed by fire every single day. i am anticipating, and patiently waiting. it just wont come fast enough....</div><div><br /></div><div>.....oh and the new Passion CD is great. you should get it.</div><div>.....and i go to spain in 6 days. excited? yup.</div>danteaguehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971856373641728276noreply@blogger.com0