and David his tens of thousands.”
Sunday, August 26, 2012
overruled.
and David his tens of thousands.”
Saturday, March 3, 2012
breathe.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
sovereign.
Your plans are still to prosper, You have not forgotten us
You’re with us in the fire and the flood
Faithful forever, Perfect in love
You are sovereign over us
You are wisdom unimagined, Who could understand your ways
Reigning high above the heavens, Reaching down in endless grace
Youʼre the Lifter of the lowly, Compassionate and kind
You surround and You uphold me, Your promises are my delight
Even what the enemy means for evil
You turn it for our good, You turn it for our good and for your glory
Even in the valley You are faithful
Youʼre working for our good, Youʼre working for our good and for your glory
Thursday, December 8, 2011
rollin.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
highly prized.
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.
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.
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. 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.
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: 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!!
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. 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. She makes me stretch my own ability to learn and grow. 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.
Until next time!
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
hanging with louis and clark.
Monday, December 5, 2011
fighting.
Prompt: When did you struggle?
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.
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. 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…
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. Luke 4:1-14