Gone Fishing

In The Army Now!

2006-04-07T02:57:00.000-05:00

Well, I have finally enlisted in the U.S. Army. I leave April 27, 2006 for Basic Training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. I will be in training for 17 weeks and 1 day. Then, I am at the mercy of the U.S. government and they can send my where ever they want... Germany, Italy, Korea, Japan, Denmark, Puerto Rico, Iraq or an Army base in the United States. I am very much looking forward to the next 4 years in the military. What comes after that is entirely up to God. This will be my last post unless I havemy address at basic training before I go(I will post it if I have it)... because during basic letters will be my only form of communication. So, farewell blogging friends. God bless you.

Finally!

2006-04-01T00:25:00.000-06:00

Well, I enlist on Monday. Just got the call yesterday that all my stuff has cleared and I go up to get a physical exam and swear in. So, check in at the beginning of the week and I will have all the details like... when I leave for basic, where I go for basic, how long my training will be, what job I will have after basic, and hopefully where I will be stationed... which could be a variety of places. The two places with the most bases in one area are the east coast of the U.S. and Germany, but there are a ton of other places. Anyhow, didn't want to leave anyone hanging, who has been waiting on the details. I will also be spending out an e-mail(sorry it will be a mass one, because of time constraints), but if I don't have your e-mail and you would like to recieve the e-mail(it will have a little more info than my blog) just leave it for me or send it to my e-mail... d_lambert84@hotmail.com, and I will make sure to get the e-mail to you as well. I hope that you are all enjoy this weekend. We are finally having some nice weather and I am enjoying it alot. God bless y'all.

My Blog Turned One!

2006-03-24T14:08:00.000-06:00

Yesterday my blogged turned one year old. Sorry I didn't update then, but my blog kept me out partying way to late... well, actually it just totally slipped my mind.

So, in my last post I promised you some news... I was hoping that it would be official by now, but it's not... but, since I am very sure of my decision I guess I will go ahead and spill the beans now.

I am in the process of enlisting in the United States Army. Yeah, caught you a little off guard, didn't I? I have been considering it for quiet some time, but like I said I don't like to talk about things until they are final, and though I have not swore in yet, that is only a few short days away, I have nearly completed the enlistment process. There are a variety of reason for this decision, which I could explain and we would be hear all day... that is if you took the time to read it. But, most importantly I feel led by the Holy Spirit in this direction. I should have a few more details in the near future, so I will post again with some more information. The next post will most likely be my last, as I will not have access to a computer during training, which could run between 4 months and 9 months.

So, that is really all I've got right now. Check back in, in a couple of days, for more details. I hope that all of you are doing well. Be blessed and be a blessing.

Hello Friends

2006-03-14T00:53:00.000-06:00

I apologize for neglecting to update my blog. In just a little over a week my blog turns one year old... exciting, I know. Hard to believe that I have been at this for a year. By that time, I will hopefully have some exciting news about a new journey in my life. But, those of you who know me, know that I don't like to talk about things until I know that plans are set. So, for now I will leave you curiously puzzled about what news is to come.

I was reunited with a long lost friend this weekend. I haven't seen him in close to three years. We hit it off like we hadn't missed a beat. I love having friends like that. Friends that no matter how much time passes and how many circumstances in life change, there is a deep bond built that holds you together. So until next time... which I know you are all anxiously waiting for(don't know if anybody caught the sarcasm), good night and God bless!

Quick Update

2006-02-19T18:49:00.000-06:00

My brother, Nathan, proposed to his girlfriend on Valentines Day... and she said yes. They are planning to get married in April of 2007. I am going to be a groomsmen, and my sister, Renee, will be a bridesmaid. It is kind of strange thinking about someone in my immediate family getting married. I still have trouble believing that friends of mine are married. Anyhow, just thought that I would inform you all of this occasion. God bless!

50th Post!

2006-02-15T14:08:00.000-06:00

Today I am making my 50th post. I started this blog to sort of journal the things that God was speaking to me while on the GAP. Now it's purpose is more like, keeping friends who are far away updated on things gonig on in my life and the church here. This blog has been through a couple of face lifts and some major swings in the number of viewers, but it has been fun and I hope to continue to have time to do it. So, today I am going to post some pictures of some friends that though far away in location are always close at heart.
Melody is studying abroad in South Africa.
Nathan and Joseph are back home in the United Kingdom.
Lance Corporal Derek Williams will be calling Iraq home for the next 7 months.

To all those who I would call friend(you know who you are), you are blessing to me. I thank God for you all the time. To those of you who have commented on my blog, thank you for the encouragement, wisdom, and support you have given me. To those of you who read my blog and don't comment, you should... haha only joking. I hope that you have enjoyed it. God bless you all.

Happy Valentines Day!

2006-02-14T20:09:00.000-06:00

When a group of 4 to 7 year-olds where asked the question, "What does love mean?" The answers were broader and deeper than anyone could have imagined. See what you think...

Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other.

Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs.

Love is what makes you smile when you're tired.

Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK.

Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more.

Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it everyday.

Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well.

My mommy loves me more than anybody. You don't see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night.

Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken.

Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Brad Pitt.

I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones.

When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you.

You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget.

Successful Outreach!

2006-02-03T12:07:00.000-06:00

Yesterday evening a small group from my church (Jon, Jim, Joe, and myself) went with Arne Skagen into Nexus Boys Academy to do a "chapel" service. Jon and I are going to be starting a monthly outreach there, and Joe is currently going in once a month. Joe and I led a short time of worship and then Arne preached the Good News. At the end Arne gave a oppurtunity for people to give there lives to the Lordship of Jesus... seven made a commitment, including one staff member. Praise God! After that we hung out with the boys for a little while. They were more social and open than I have ever seen them before (I have went in with Joe and the GAP team, so I knew some of them). I was so blessed to be a part of that outreach. Saturday is Club R.O.C.K., and Arne will be giving the Good News there as well. I am looking forward to an exciting weekend. God bless you all, have a wonderful weekend.

2006-02-01T12:05:00.000-06:00

"Atheism turns out to be too simple. If the whole universe has no meaning, we should never have found out that it has no meaning..." -C.S. Lewis

A New Adventure!

2006-01-30T10:25:00.000-06:00

Yesterday, I had the privelege of spending my first Sunday with my new Sunday school class. That's right, I will be teaching the 3-5 grade sunday school 2 weeks out of every month. I am honored by the oppurtunity to speak in to the lives of these young christians. Yesterday, we spoke about Jesus power over death and the story of Lazurus. It was so great to see the amazement of the kids. It made me think about the last time I had read that story... I don't remember having that kind of excitement and amazement. I was really challenged to start having that kind of excitement and amazement for the things Christ did and the things he is doing.
Next week, my class will be staying in the main meeting, because Arne Skagen will be in Gilman, but I am really excited for the following two weeks that I get to be with them. I hope that I can be as much of an inspiration to them as they have already been to me.
God bless you!

And I'm Off!

2006-01-20T11:53:00.000-06:00

In a few short hours I will be departing from my home and enduring the most boring 3 and a half hour drive ever... but the trip is always well worth it. Yes, that is right... I am going "home" to Grand Rapids for the weekend. There is a wedding in Detroit on Saturday, which I am so excited to attend... I will have pictures when I return. Unfortunately, like always, I will not have enough time to spend with all the people I would like to see, but I am so thankful to get to see at least a few. Now, I must prepare the rest of my things for the trip, so everyone have a wonderful weekend... I know that I will. God bless you all!

The Gospel

2006-01-10T15:24:00.000-06:00

Already in this new year, God has renewed and strengthened my heart for evangelism. I was really discouraged, yet at the same time motivated when I heard a leader in a church say that it doesn't matter what you say, just that you say something(in regard to sharing the gospel). At that time, my heart just screamed, "that's not right." God instantly put on my heart the verse about being ready in season and out. I was feeling a little out of season and unprepared, so I have been preparing myself for the doors I trust God will open. As I have prepared, I have heard some specific things that God wants for me personally to do in my area. And some things to expect in the upcoming months. I want to encourage you all to share your faith, and be prepared to share your faith. Know the gospel and how to present it in a way that will reach the people around you. I will admit, I am not the most courageous person in the world, but I do know what to say, when the time comes. Saying just anything isn't good enough... sometimes not knowing what to say can drive people away, if you are not confident in what you are saying it can appear like a lack of conviction. That being said, I don't want to discourage anyone from speaking of God's love, just to encourage you that if you are prepared, I believe, you will see much better results. Yet, it is God who convicts and saves, not us therefore even if we are not prepared, he will guide us. But, why not plan as if everyday you will need to share the gospel with someone. If we are prepared then we display a spirit of readiness and excellence. That is what I want to show the world... God's spirit in me. This year will be better than the last, as we go from glory to glory. Look forward to the blessing of God, and live in it. This year will be a year of personal and corperate growth. Be blessed and be a blessing!

Here's a quote for you: " The Gospel is not just the good news about Jesus Christ. The Gospel is Jesus Christ; and Jesus Christ is the Gospel."

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2006-01-01T23:46:00.000-06:00

The first day of the New Year is quickly coming to a close. Though, 2005 was the best year of my life. I know that 2006 will be even better. I am anticipating a year full of joy, peace, growth, fun, friends, challenges, and adventures. I hope that for each one of you, this year will truly be the best year of your life. God bless you!

Doors Keep Opening

2005-12-19T22:25:00.000-06:00

Hello everyone... hope that you are all doing well, and getting into the Christmas festivities. I sometimes find it hard because Christmas music gets old by about Dec. 5th, too many old friends want to hang out and "catch up", and I never know what to get people. This year it has been slightly better... I have more time for old friends, I haven't turned on the radio, but I still don't know what to get people. It's Dec. 19th and I haven't bought a single gift yet... scary.
On a brighter note, yesterday I recieved a phone call from a guy asking if I would be interested in a job working construction(which is what I do). It's not set in stone yet, but for what seems like the 100th time, I have been offered a job before I have even applied. The specifics of the job are a little hazy, but I know that I would be repairing roofs on very tall buildings(not houses, like tall buildings in Chicago and the surrounding area). It doesn't sound like I will be starting before the middle of January, but I think that I can find something to stay busy till then. I have been blessed to have so many doors opened to me when it comes to getting jobs... God has been very good to me. Like I said it's not for sure, but I just want to praise God because of the things he is doing.
I hope that you are having a wonderful holiday season and in case I don't post again before then, MERRY CHRISTMAS.

Somethings Different

2005-12-15T02:46:00.000-06:00

So today, among other things, I reorganized my "friends" links. I decided, "no more GAP team elitist." I decided that being an american elistist would be more fun. The titles for the two groups comes from Mr. Strong(below)... he was a history teacher who when refering to events, he either talked about US(being the United States, obviously) and Them(anyone else who wasn't the U.S.). He was not an American supremacy type person, it was just his sense of humor. Nobody gets to be offended(not that anybody would be) because I love all of "them", at least the one's I've met... weird I haven't even met all the people I have linked on my blog, oh well, what can you do. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Tom Strong was...

2005-12-13T12:17:00.000-06:00

a husband of one wife, a loving father, a good friend, an inspiring teacher, a competitive coach, a great man, and most important, a christian. After a brief battle with a reoccurance of caner, he went back to the Father, Friday, December 9 at the age of 62. A memorial service was held in his honor yesterday. It was great to see so many of his church family, past students, and friends show up to recognize such a great human being. He was the father of a dear friend of mine(pictured with him). He was also my teacher and coach from 6th through 8th grade. He has been a friend ever since, always calling me "friend and loyal American". Though, for the longest time I just thought he was only saying that... as I grew older, I realized that he was a friend. In the classroom, he taught more than just history, he taught his students respect... for authority, peers, and all human beings. Yesterday we all said fairwell to a great man... but I know that he is home with the Father.
I just wanted to honor a man worth honoring today... his life was a inspiration to all who knew him. May God bless you in this holiday season.

Serve a Purpose: Part 2

2005-12-08T23:54:00.000-06:00

Okay, I will try to make this post shorter than the last. I know when I see long posted I tend to just skip to read the comments and make one myself on a similar line... then I go back and read it when I don't know what else to do. Anway, back to what I was talking about. If you can't tell I have spent some time on this and am quite passionate about it. For a few... paragraphs, I want to breifly talk about "Preparing for the Future, While Living in the Present". Continuing of the quote from part 1, there will be things that we can't do today, that we might do tomorrow, but that shouldn't stop us from doing the things we can do today. There are also things that we can do today, that we may never be able to do again, and we should be taking advantage of them. So many(especially young, ambious christians) sit around waiting to be old enough or respected enough to do something significant, not seeing the significance in the things God has put right in front of them. People often find themselves day dreaming about things in the future. Life will pass them by as they continue just looking into the future. Do you think one day, people will just say, okay everything I dreamed about for the future I have, now I can stop looking to the future. No, because until we die there is always a future and those who keep looking at it miss the wonderful things right now. I will give an example from my own life: The things I want most in life, like I said before, are to get married, provide for my family, serve on the worship team, and do whatever else is neccesary. Guess what, I am not married, I don't even have a girlfriend, and I obviously don't have children. These things are in the future. I am aware of these desires, but cannot dwell on them. The things I do today are relevant for today, and I am aware that the things God works in me will make me a better husband for my wife, a better father for my children, and a better provider for my family, but the fact is I have to be focusing on today to learn these things. Let me put it like this... look at life like climbing a mountain. Each step prepares us for the next step, but with out each step we couldn't make the next. We know where we are going, but thinking about it won't get us to the top. Everything we do is relevant for both the present and future. The things we do now will shape what we are able to do later(ex: if you go to college, you can get a job that requires a degree), but they also define who we are now. Okay, I am done rambling now. I hope that this in some way inspire, encouraged, or convicted you. I don't write these things to sound special or super-spiritual. I am not looking for a audience to preach at(I wouldn't want to listen to me, with so many more gifted men/women around). I write that those who read might be encouraged and be provoked to think, because I know for myself, I think best when provoked. God bless you and good night.

Serve A Purpose: Part 1

2005-11-28T01:30:00.000-06:00

I don't want to start getting preachy... or pretend like I have some vast insight into the Word of God. But there are some things that I am really passionate about. One of them is each person playing there part in the Body of Christ, not envying someone else, but loving there God given gifts and purpose. A quote I read on another persons blog really summed up the way I feel. I believe that it is important to quote people, because it is likely that someone has already said it best, or at least better than me. John Wooden said, "Don't let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do".
I have been blessed to spend the last year, year and a half meeting(many), spending time(with some), and befriending(a few), of the next generation of elders, teachers, prophets, evanglists, pastors, and maybe even apostles. Men and women with such a obvious annointing from God, it sometimes can't help but be intimidating. I often have to step back and remind myself of 1 Corinthians 12:12-31, and though I won't write it all, I will some it up... All parts of the body are equally important to the proper functioning of the body. There are somethings my friends will do, that I cannot, there are places that I will not go with them. Equally so I may do things and go places that other people could not and would not do.
I made a few observastions today while at the church meeting that I would like to share.
1. I noticed how good the worship sounded this mourning... then I thought about about what a fantastic job the sound tech was doing. Now I have been on worship teams and ran sound, and I know that musicians tend to get a lot of credit for worship... but if it weren't for the job the sound tech did, the music would sound absolutely terrible. Yes, musicians do a fantastic job and should be commended, and the sound tech pulls all there talents together to make a beautiful sound. They all need each other.
2. I walked into the bathrooms this morning, like I have done hundreds of times, and noticed how clean they were. Public bathrooms tend to be a little less than up to par... but not in the churches I have been to. Everybody notices a dirty bathroom, but do we really appreciate the fact that we can use nice, sanitary bathrooms before, during, or after a meeting. What a blessing that is... and somebody has to keep them that way. Oh, and though visitors may not rave about a clean bathroom, they will always notice a dirty one. Clean bathrooms may not get people saved, but dirty ones will drive them away.
3. After the service today, I forgot to pick up my announcement sheet that I had put on the floor(honest mistake, won't happen again), but I am sure that before the last person left the building it had been picked up. Nobody in my church is responsible for picking up trash left behind after the meeting, but some people notice things laying around... they do more than notice, they pick things up.
These all may seem small and insignificant, but what a wreck things would be, if somebody wasn't doing these things. These are important functions in the body... they may not be glamorous, but dying on a cross wasn't all that glamorous either... elders getting calls in the middle of the night isn't all the glamorous(but not everybody sees that)... apostles being away from there home and family isn't glamorous either. If each of us do what it is we are called to do, then there will be harmony, peace, and growth in the body. One last thought... people who know me know the life that I would want for myself; to get married, be able to provide for my family, serve on the worship team, and do whatever else in neccesary. I don't feel entirely comfortable saying this next statement in fear that people will think that I am "blowing my own horn", but it is to make a point, nothing more. People have often said that God may have another purpose for my life(this is merely observation, not some God spoken truth)... but though they may say it is, I refuse to call it bigger or better because there is no better purpose than serving the purpose of God for your life. God bless you all.

Redneck Christmas

2005-11-26T03:30:00.000-06:00

Well, since the Christmas season officially began as of yesterday... I thought that I would make a post to get us all in the Christmas spirit. I found all the Christmas related redneck phrases that I could and compiled them for what will hopefully be a good laugh. I hope that you get all these... I am a bit of a redneck, so I busted up laughing at pretty much all of them.

You might be a redneck if...

Your Christmas tree is still up in February.

Your momma has "ammo" on her Christmas list

You give your dad a gallon of Pepto-Bismol for Christmas.

You stand under the mistletoe at Christmas and wait for Granny and cousin Sue-Ellen to walk by.

The neighbors started a petition over your Christmas lights.

Your favorite Christmas present was a painting on black velvet.

Your Christmas cards have a copy of your butt included.

Santa Claus refuses to let your kids sit in his lap.

You've ever had Christmas dinner on a Ping-Pong table.

You've ever gone Christmas shopping at the dollar store.

I tried to make this as non-offensive as possible, so I hope that no one is offended. These are not original, I stole them from some website... hopefully that's not illegal. I don't really know anything about copyright laws and all that "stuff". I am still waiting for our first snow of the winter, so that I can truly get into the Christmas mood. I think I am going to go listen to my new Christmas CD entitled "Christmas with Creed"(sorry inside joke). I hope that everyone is getting into the Holiday spirit. May God bless you and keep you safe durning this holiday season.

Thanksgiving Day

2005-11-24T01:03:00.000-06:00

"But I will sacrifice to you with a voice of thanksgiving."

Jonah 2:9(NKJV)

Here in the U.S.A., we will be celebrating Thanksgiving Day tomorrow. I love Thanksgiving, I mean who doesn't like eat really, really good home cooked meals. Come on, everybodies grandma is there own best cook. Then, there is the Thanksgiving Day Parade and who could forget FOOTBALL(american). This year, though, I have a completely different outlook on Thanksgiving. After some recent circumstances, it could be very easy for me to take a "the glass is half empty" mind set... but I refuse, God has been so good to me, and even if he never gave me anything else, he has still giving me so much more than I deserve. I believe God challenged me this year to think outside the ussual things we tend to thank God for. It is so easy to be thankful for Jesus dying for us, the Holy Spirit empowering us, and all the wonderful yet obvious things God does for us. My challenge this year was to see God in the smaller things, like... 1) though I sometimes neglect my truck, it still is running strong with over 150,000 miles. 2) all four of my grandparents are still alive and quite healthy. 3) my favorite pair of jeans are really, really comfortable. 4) the internet connects me to all my friends, most of who are hundreds of miles away. 5) i got to go see a movie and go out to eat last weekend with friends... okay movie and food, great fellowship. I tend to take these things for granted and hardly ever even think about what a blessing these things really are. What are some of the basic things you take for granted everyday? When you actually think about it, these things are ussually the things that tend to shape our lives, yet often times we over look them. Unfortunately for me, it takes a national holiday for me to recognize all the wonderful things I take for granted. I hope everybody(american) has a wonderful holiday and god blesses you abundantly.

Happy Birthday to Lou!

2005-11-20T01:30:00.000-06:00

First of all I would like to say a Big happy birthday to Ann Louise Charnock, who turns 22 years of age on Monday Nov. 21, 2005. This is also a friendly reminder to anyone who forgot about her birthday... not that anyone except me could be guilty of such a crime. But, since I remembered I thought that I would give fair warning for her upcoming birthday, so in case there were any scatterbrains like me out there who forget their friends birthdays. So, if nothing else here's what you can do... go to www.xanga.com/louisecharnock and leave her lots of birthday wishes on her blog. Again, Lou have a very happy birthday.
In other news, we in Gilman have been blessed to have Roger Aubrey with us from Cartiff, Whales(sorry Nate, but I wouldn't want you to forget about the "Welch revival"). Inside joke, sorry everybody, I can spell Wales. The title of this conference was called "Getting Your Mouth in Gear." I believe for me personally and many others in the room, our lives will never be the same. Roger is a fantastic bible teacher, who really opened the word to us... and in turn opened our eyes to very significant truth. I am very excited for tomorrow, anticipating the presence of God and a powerful word from God through his servant Roger. I am just going to close with a few quotes from todays meetings that really stood out to me:
"Sticks and stones may break your bones, but words can kill you."
"God says(to you), 'Come let us reason together... I'm right, your wrong.'"
"The devil attacks the integrity of God by attacking what God says(to and about you)."-Gen 3:1
"Your confession determines your destiny."
"Your confession determines your inheritance."
If you would like to visit Rogers blog(which I highly recommend) it's www.rogeraubrey.typepad.com. Have a blessed day.

The Living and Active Word

2005-11-14T02:27:00.000-06:00

Yesterday, I was digging through the bottom of my fathers bookcase, looking through all his older books. I found two commentaries on the book of Daniel. I wanted to start a new study on a particular book of the bible, but had no inspiration for any particular one. I thought this more than a coincidence, so I asked my dad which one was better, and began my study. The first chapter absolutely came alive to me. I had read it in the past and understood it and even was inspired by it, but nothing like this. I found myself envying the resolve of Daniel. Here is the part that really jumped out and grabbed me, "But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs. And the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, "I fear that my lord the king, who has appointed your food and drink. For why should he see your faces looking worse than the young men who are your age? Then you would endanger my head before the king." So Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, "Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then let our appearance be examined before you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion of the king's delicacies; and as you see fit, so deal with your servants." So he consented with them in this matter, and tested them ten days. And at the end of ten days their features appeared better and fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate the portion of the king's delicacies. Thus the steward took away their portions of delicacies and the wine that they were to drink, and gave them vegetables. As for these four men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams." Daniel 1:8-17(NKJV). I know that was long, but there is something very important here. Before, when I read this my thought was simply, Daniel didn't eat the food because it was against his law and God blessed him for it... which is a perfectly good understanding of it, but God impressed on me to dig deeper. I found that it didn't have anything to do with the food being clean or unclean, because all the food in Babylon was ritually unclean. The commentary I was using said this, "The defilement he feared was not so much a ritual as a moral defilement, arising from the subtle flattery of gifts and favors which entailed hidden implications of loyal support, however dubios the king's future policies might prove to be." I'll break that down, because I imagine some of you have very blank looks on your face(not that I am implying that any of you are not smart enough to figure it out). Pretty much Daniel wasn't going to be forced into serving a king because the king was giving him really good food from his own table. This showed Daniels commitment to serving God and not a man, and for this God blessed him... both naturally(verse 15) and spiritually(verse 17). There is a moral to all this banter... it's about morals. If we chose to stand firm on our God given morals even though they may not always be popular, socially exceptable, or even logical, God will bless us. I am excited about the times that we are living in and believe God is calling for his people to set themselves even more apart from the world... that there would be a greater distinction between the Kingdoms of Light and Darkness. Stand firm, share your faith, and recieve the blessings God has for you.

It's That Time of Year

2005-11-10T12:14:00.000-06:00

It's the time of year when the leaves start to fall from the trees, the days get shorter, and the air is colder. It's the time of year when construction workers hang up there tools and wait for warmer weather(at least where I come from). That's right everybody, yesterday was unofficially my last day at work for this year. I really enjoyed my time working at Cedar Point Renovations and I will most likely be getting a call back next spring, but that is a ways off and who knows where God will have me at that time. Right now, I have moved home and am looking over some of the options I have to ride out this winter till the sun starts to shine a little brighter(and longer) again. I have planned a busy winter for myself, so finding a job that will facilitate my schedule may prove to be a little difficult, but I trust in the Lord. Strangerly I have no anexity. One thing that I have learned(through very limited life experience) is that God is completely in control and it is best to turn all situations over to him... "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let you requests be made known to God."- Philippians 4:6(NKJV). So, I will have plenty of time to pray and get in the word over the next couple of days, which is really exciting. I haven't got to spend extended amounts of time doing either in quite awhile. So, that's what I am going to do now. God bless me... oh yeah, and you to.

2005-11-05T00:30:00.000-06:00

"Evanglism or extinction"- Keri Jones
This catchy phrase, stated by the apostle of mwb, has sparked a new passion in me. What an amazing gift we have been given. It's free and we have it to offer to other people. Though we can't save them, we can point them to Christ. If we were given a million bucks and were allowed to tell anyone else where to get some too, we would tell our friends, family, and all those important to us, so that they could enjoy that sweet chunk of change as well. But, Christ seems to be the best kept secret of our generation. We all seem happy to have our own personal savior and keep him to ourselves. I am not suggesting that everyone should run out and talk to complete strangers about God, but we should make sure that all those close to us know where we stand, and share Christ with them. I have been excitied about the recent salvations in Gilman and St. Charles/Elgin and look forward to more growth. We must continue to grow, because if we are not growing we are standing still and if we are standing still we are back sliding. Extinction is not an option, but I don't want my generation to be past by, for the next generation or the generation after that. I was born for such a time as this and so were you. Let us serve the purpose of God in our generation, and see the church brought in to fullness. Be blessed and be a blessing... oh yeah, and SHARE YOUR FAITH.

One more for the Road.

2005-10-30T16:12:00.000-06:00

So, I know that I just posted yesterday and most of you probably haven't read that one yet, but I figure I will post one more time before I leave to "go home" to Elgin. Go home is in parenthesis because I am not quite sure where home is. I tell you what, I picked a excellent week to come home(Gilman). See, I am all confuzed about where exactly home is. Dave Roberts gave a gospel presentation last night at Club R.O.C.K. and 11 teenagers gave there hearts to the Lord. This mourning in the middle of worship, Dave, gave an altar call and seven people surrendered their lives to Jesus. Then four of them(an entire family) got water baptized durning the meeting. We are living in fantastic times. Truths are being restored to the church and I believe we will begin to see more the "greater things" Jesus promised as we are faithful to walk in these truths. This mourning I walk in to a church building that was nearly half empty two months ago, and now it is bursting at the seams. I couldn't hardly find a place to sit. God is doing something great in Gilman and around the World. I have written this that you might be encouraged. "People are just waiting to be saved," was one of the most relevant things that Dave said this mourning in the meeting. The fields are ripe for harvest. Be a blessing and recieve a blessing.

Home, Sweet Home

2005-10-29T17:35:00.001-05:00

So, I drove home(to Watseka/Gilman) today on a spur of the moment idea to well... go home. I haven't been home since I moved at the end of August. I hate to say I didn't really come home because I was overly home sick, actually Dave and Carrol Roberts are in town, so this afternoon, with nothing better to do, I pack a bag, got in my truck, and endured the short two hour drive home... and since I am home, I can write on my blog. There is a Club Rock at the church this evening. Dave and Carrol are supposed to be sharing there tonight, so I am going with my father to help out and of course see Dave and Carrol. It should be an exciting time. The last time that I was at a Club Rock a half dozen or so teenagers gave their lives to the Lord. Praise God, he is doing a great work here. Dave and Carrol will also be in Elgin next week, so I am really looking forward to that. Well I have to be off for now, but I will try and blog again one more time before I leave to go back to Elgin. Everybody have a blessed day.

Um... above all pursue God

2005-10-20T19:26:00.000-05:00

Well hello everyone... I don't really know what to blog about today. I just thought that I would make a post so that everyone know that I am still alive and kicking. Things are much the same as they were last time I posted. I am still working construction and that is keeping me very busy. I am also trying to keep as plugged in to what is going on in the church. We were talking about what distracts us from regular devotional time in my home group yesterday. So, when Ben asked me what distracted me this was my answer, and I think it caught everybody a little off guard... "alot of things can distract me, sometimes home group, discipleship groups, worship practice and even sunday mourning meetings are my biggest distraction." Here is a problem I see, at least for me... I focus so much on filling my schedule with the things that I think that I should be doing, they can sometimes get in the way of intimate relationship with God. I am not saying anything bad about anyone of those things. As believers, we should be fellowshipping together and building each other up. That is how we will mature as individauls and corperately. Sometimes I believe that we can over commit ourselves and miss what is truly important... relationship with God. I know that we have all heard the stories of people burning out because they get so caught up in "working for God." I am sure that my natural father appreciates the things that my siblings and I do/did around the house for him(and my mom). I would bet today he couldn't tell you a single specific thing that any of us ever did for him... but I can be sure that he has at least one memory of spending good quality time with each one of us. I believe that God is the same way. We only do things for him by his power and the ability that he gave us. But when we chose to turn of the t.v. or put down that book(even a christian book) and just spend time with him, we bless him more than all the works that we could ever do. I encourage you to go to all the meetings and confernces that you can, and serve diligantly in your church, but if before all that we haven't made time to spend time with God, then we need to get our priorities straight. And to clarify, I am not saying you shouldn't go to a meeting because you watched a football game or your favorite soap opera when you should have been passionately pursuing God. I pray that all of you are continually blessed. Have a wonderful day, week, or month(till whenever it is that I can wish you another wonderfull "whatever").

I'm Back

2005-10-03T00:08:00.000-05:00

Sorry for the absence of blogging. I have been missing it, but I currently don't have the internet. I am blogging from my good friends Erins house. It is a super cool place. Things are going fantastic here in Elgin. I have a fanatastic job, that I got only a few days after moving here. It was a blessing. I am making way too much money, if that is possible. I am working construction, again. We built custom decks, and things of that nature. It has been a wonderful learning experience and hard work. I have been at a young adults group in St. Charles tonight, where we have started going through the book Training for Reigning. It is a great book that I went through on the GAP Team. I will be going to a Foo Fighters and Weezers concert on Tuesday, so that is really cool. I am going with Lars and Marianna Nilsen. It should be great fun. Then this weekend I am going home to Watseka to help roof my grandfathers house with my dad and brother. I am looking forward to spending some time with them, even if it is on a roof. Well that's all for now. Just wanted to update everyone on what's going on and let you all know that I am doing well. Thank you all for the encouragement on my last post, it was such a blessing. I will be starting to blog on a more regular basis again, but not as much as I use to. Thanks again, and God bless you.

Friends

2005-08-28T18:40:00.000-05:00

I had a wonderful first Sunday meeting in Elgin. Tom Kyle spoke on being friends of God. It was really good, and as he spoke he was also speaking about naturally friendships. As he spoke, I began thinking about my friendships. One thing God spent a lot of time teaching me this year was friendship. How to build them, who to build them with, what to do when there are problems, etc. I had a friendship this year with a person that I had so much in common with. We had similar backgrounds, tastes, personalities. We began to build a friendship on these things. But it could not last the test of time. Things came up that tested the friendship and it didn't last. That friendship is nearly non-existent now, sadly to say. I also built a friendship with someone that our hearts were joined together in only a few moments. It was a Jonathan and David type relationship(which was later spoken over us). Our relationship continues to flourish because God called us together. Yet another friendship I from this year, we had very little in common(in the beginning) except a passion for God. We took that a began to grow one of the most fulfilling relationships of my life. As we grew, we found that we had more in common than we taught. The key of the last two was that they were built on Christ. If Christ is the cornerstone of any relationship, nothing will be able to undo it except for Christ. Sometimes friendships are formed in an instant. This happened for me on a trip to Toronto, Canada with the GAP. Even in that first meeting(which was very short) a strong bond was built between us. Now everytime he is around, I want to be around him(even though we don't see each other very often at all). When forming relationships in life, build them to last. Build them with Christ as the center. These relationships are the most fulfilling relationship, I believe, life can offer. And like everything else God gives, it is a gift, so don't hold on to tightly... because sometimes God requires us to sacrifice the things we love for him. This maybe my last post for awhile, since as of right now I don't have the internet in Elgin... I will hopefully get it in a week or two. Please continue to check my blog and leave comments... they have been a great encouragement to me. God bless you(especially in the relationships that you have and will have). I know that he will.
With all my love(that can be giving through a blog)

David

Psalm 91:9-12

2005-08-25T01:36:00.000-05:00

"Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place- the Most High, who is my refuge- no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone."(ESV)
I praise the Lord that he is faithful to his word. Today I was on my way into Chicago(to visit a friend) after my job interview in Schaumburg, and I was involved in a three car accident. I was stopped at a stop light, and a car struck the car behind me(going very fast) and pushed him into my car. Praise God no one was seriously injured(I have some soreness and the driver of the car that stuck the car behind me had sprained his wrist. The driver in the middle was not hurt and his car sustained the least amount of damage. The first car was totaled, and my car sustain quiet a bit of damage. Things could have been so much worse. For one I could have not been wearing my safety belt... which I often forget to put on. Thankfully I was wearing it. I believe that it was by the grace of God and it saved me from more serious injury. Plus I trust there will be no problem with the insurance. The guilty party was ticketed and is required to take full responsiblity. I was also able to drive my car all the way home(2.5 hours), although it wasn't a pleasant trip. Right now I am praising God that he commands his angels to watch over me. God is so amazingly good to those who "make the Lord their dwelling place." May God bless you abundantly, even today.

Scars Don't Hurt

2005-08-24T00:50:00.000-05:00

Wow... two posts in one day... I am on a role. So, anyway, I was looking in the mirror today(which I like to do... kidding) at the poison ivy that was on my face(praise God it has finally went away)... and I felt God bring my attention to the scar on my forehead. Since that moment God has been speaking to me about the emotional scars that we carry. Now scars are neither a good thing nor a bad thing. Scar tissue is just dead tissue where a deep wound has healed. Nobody goes through life without picking up a few scars. Scars are reminders of a painful experience(both natural and emotional). It is important that we learn from our mistakes, duh. That's not rocket science and I am not telling anyone anything that they don't already know. I was four when I got the scar on my forehead, and at the time it wasn't a scar it was a gaping wound. Though nobody can really agree on how I got it(my parents both have different stories), I still carry a scar from something that happened sixteen years ago. I'm sure that at the time I wailed like a little baby, but of course the pain has subsided and now it's just a mark. The main thing with emotional wounds is that we let them heal. I was listening to country music and I am sure the fact that I said country music will probably get more comments than the contend of this post, but yes I was listening to country music, and a lyric went something like this, "I don't know if I am getting better, or just used to the pain." We shouldn't want to get used to the pain. We want to be healed and whole. If you have experienced something painful in your life, you can take care of the wound and let it heal... or you can keep picking a scab and making it bleed all over again. So many people hold on to injustices that have been done to them in there lives. They want sympathy because at some point the world wasn't fair. If that's you, quit wanting to be the victim. It doesn't help, I can tell you from past experiences. At some point you've got to grow up. I'm not saying that things don't hurt and people don't need time to grieve, but then we stand up, encourage yourselves in the Lord, and grow from the experience. Let me encourage you, put down things that you are carrying. Life is more enjoyable that way. Let God heal your hurt. The only thing that will remain is a scar, and scars don't hurt.

Bitter, Sweet Good-byes

2005-08-23T20:30:00.000-05:00

Hello friends, I hope that things are going well for you. I am doing absolutely fantastic. Life is just wonderful, isn't it? God is awsome! So... last Sunday was officially my last Sunday in Life Church(Gilman). And very, very soon I will be moving to Elgin. Though I thought I would be there a lot sooner than this, God has been very good to me, allowing me tie up all my loose ends at home, and have a nice "rest" after the wonderful, but draining year on the GAP. Tomorrow I leave early in the mourning(5:30, ahhh!) for a job interview at H&M in the Woodfield Mall(Schaumburg). It isn't exactly what I was looking for, but if things go well at the interview tomorrow, I will probably take a job there. I have a friend from high school who works there, and helped get me an interview, and with any luck a job. I will also be spending most of the day tomorrow with her, since she doesn't have to work. I may, depending on the interview, go to Elgin to apply at some other places... not that I don't think that I will get the job, but since I am not going to school until next semester, I figure that(if it's possible) I should work two jobs. Plus, I like money, the key is like not love. So, I went out for pizza with my parents and sibling last night, because it was going to be our last chance to go out together as a family. It was cool, I haven't seen much of my brother since I got back, so it was cool to catch up with him. Well, I guess that is probably it for now... oh wait, my brother gave me his old computer. I say old, but it's really nice. It needs a little bit of work, but other than that, it's good. It has a flat, plasma monitor, a laser directed mouse, dvd drive, and cd/rw. Along with lots of other neat stuff. So, yeah I am pretty blessed. Everyone make sure to have an excellent week. God bless you!

Do As Your Told

2005-08-22T02:03:00.000-05:00

There has been a common theme in the study material I have been using over the past couple of days. Three totally different sources, talking about different subjects, have all been speaking about obeying the word of God. So, I thought that I would share them with you:
1. This is a quote from the book Prophetic Ministry by T. Austin Sparks talking about Moses leading the people after the exodus from Egypt, "...so it was necessary that in every detail he should be exact. It is a difficult, costly way, but you cannot have revelation, and go on in revelation, and at the same time compromise over details and have things at any point other than exactly as the Lord wants them." I am not really going to comment on this passage because I don't think that it can be said any better or clearer(at least not be me).
2. I have been downloading preaches off of All Nations website, and in a preach Andrew Caughey does, called the The Life of Christ, he is reading from John 2(NIV), "On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus' mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine was gone, Jesus' mother said to him, 'They have no more wine.' 'Dear women, why do you involve me?' Jesus replied. 'My time has not yet come.' His mother said to the servants, 'Do whatever he tells you.'" Andrew goes on to say, and I quote, "Now there's a key there, to moving in the miraculous of God, 'Do whatever he tells you.'" God heals the sick, raises the dead, gives sight to the blind, meets finicial needs, etc. He's in the business of doing miracles, if we are in the business of doing it the way he wants it done.
3. I have also been reading James, which is probably my favorite book of the Bible. James 2:22+25(ESV) says, "But be doers of the word(both written and spoken), and not hears only, decieving yourselves. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets, but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing." example: Ephesians 5:4(ESV) says, "Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving." When I read this, I have the ability to start practicing this in my life... if this was a weakness of mine, then I probably won't be prefect in it right away, but in acting on what I have heard/read, James says I will be blessed.
Praise God that he speaks to his people, through the Bible, his servants, and to our hearts. As we hear his voice, may we willingly respond to him.

Update!

2005-08-19T12:45:00.000-05:00

Hello friends, I guess I will take this oppurtunity to update everybody on what's been going on in my world. Two weeks ago tomorrow I was back in GR for James and Lynnsy Krafts wedding. Just mentioning that because of the picture and the fact that I have a few new photo albums including one of the wedding. The sunday after the wedding, I went to church at New Life, and can I tell you that it was like going home. That place has so many fond memories. We had prayer furnace in the mourning... I went about an hour late like usual, but it was so awsome to be there, even if the rest of the gappers weren't. In recent news, I contracted poison ivy... which is really bad cause I am highly allergic and no matter what I do it spreads everywhere. So, I am on some medication right now to take care of that. Oh, I sat down with Jim Harkins yesterday, and it's official... I am moving to Elgin. Most of you know, but everything has been squared away, and as soon as this poison ivy goes away, I will making the big move away from home. Just a few parting words: To James & Lynnsy, congratulations; to those of you starting school again, good luck, make the most of it; and to everyone, may God bless you abundantly.

Psalm 37:4

2005-08-16T01:56:00.000-05:00

I was surfing blogs today, as I normally do, and I came across Matthew Lings blog(matthewling.typepad.com/pilgrim_heart, excellent blog by the way, check it out). He was making a comment on Psalm 37:4(esv) which says "Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." Now this is a very commonly quoted verse, but unfortunately it is miss quoted. I think, that people use this to justify chasing the desires of their heart. And think that God wants to give us the things we desire. This verse is clearly saying that if we make the Lord our delight, he will give us desires in our heart. God doesn't want to give us the things that we desire, he wants to give us the things to desire, and then when we are desiring what is of God, he will give it to us(at the right time). I just want to end with the main verse that Matthew was blogging out of. Prov 11:6(ncv) "Doing right brings freedom to honest people, but those who are not trustworthy will be caught be their own desires." Matthew makes an excellent statement about the latter half of this scripture, "we often think that we have desires, but in truth our desires have us!" I don't think that it could have been said any better than that. I just wanted to post this because it was so refreshing and revelatory to me... Matthew makes some more excellent points on his blog and again I encourage you to visit it. Though most is in my own words full credit goes to him(and of course, God, who gave him the revelation). I hope that you all had a wonderful weekend and pray that you will have an excellent week. God bless and good night.

In Loving Memory

2005-08-10T01:00:00.000-05:00

This post is in memory of a dear friend of mine, Ashley Geiger. She went to be with the lord five years ago this month. For the longest time I did not accept that I would never see my friend again(in this life), and by the time I finally realized it, so much time had passed I kind of didn't think about her much. She was a smart, outgoing, friendly, caring person, who was voted most likely to be successful in life by our class... and she was. In everything she did, she poured her heart into it. She didn't do anything halfway. Though her life was short, she lived it well. This experience has taught me one thing. You never know when it is your time. Get everything out of today that you can. Because one day there won't be a tomorrow. I went out to her grave site last week and was amazed by the amount of flowers that were there. She has been gone five years and all of her friends are in college and busy with there lives, but they still remember to make time to remember Ashley. That's because she always made time for them. She remains in the hearts of her many friends because she left an impression on us by the way she lived her life. It makes me wonder about how people will and do remember me...

Character vs. Annointing

2005-08-04T22:29:00.000-05:00

Hello everybody, hope that you are having a wonderful day. Just thought I would blog about something God has been pressing on my heart for a long time. I just spent a year with some extremely annointed young adults. It was an amazing journey watching people grow throughout a series of circumstances, opportunities, and situations. As a watched(and endured) growth this is what God pressed on my heart. Annointing is wonderful, but it is a gift from God that we are given, much like talents we are born with. They are from God, and can be given and taken at any time. Heck, in the bible a donkey spoke the word of God. Character is developed by man with the help of the Holy Spirit and the guidelines of the Bible. There is 15 chapters in the bible about Joseph developing his character(my source is Joseph, so if that is correct be impressed with him and if it is not, then I should have done my homework). The new testiment is filled with encouragement and instruction for how to lead Godly lives. Which do you think God is more concerned with a gift that comes only from him or a man putting forth the effort, perservence, and determination to build a Christ like character? I think that Christians walking around living surrendered lives to God is a bigger prophectic statement than anyone could ever bring on a Sunday mourning. Keep in mind that I have absolutely nothing against the annointing of God. It is a gift and I enjoy it everyday, weither it be from seeing it in other people or enjoying the annointing that God has placed on my life. Let us do everything we can to find and fine tune the annointing that God has placed on our lives, but let us consentrate on the building of character that will change the world. I pray that you walk in the persence, blessing, and ANNOINTING of God everyday. Let us continue to bring Gods kindgom to this earth. Have a wonderful weekend. I will be enjoying the celebration of James and Lynnsy's wedding in Grand Rapids.

2005-07-29T11:15:00.000-05:00

Well everybody I am going to visit Elgin this weekend so you probably won't hear from me for a couple of days or more. Don't worry I will be having an awsome time. This is a picture of Joseph and Me @ GAP graduation. Thought I would post it... it's from my new photo album @ dotphoto.com. There is a link to it under my blogger links. So you can check it out. I will be adding more albums when I get back from Elgin... so everybody have a great weekend... I know that I will. Oh, and if I don't blog before the wedding... I look forward to seeing all you GR people when I come up next weekend. That is going to be an awsome day. Continue to walk in the presence and blessing of God. I'll see you when I see you, so until then be blessed.

Love

2005-07-26T00:48:00.000-05:00

NO, that is the answer to anyone's question if this is about a new girl. I have been reading a fanatistic book called Tuesdays With Morrie. It's a great book and I highly recommend it to everyone, but this post is not about the book. It is just the instrument that got me thinking. What is love, really? Have you ever really thought about it? I have a lot of time on my hands right now, and while I was reading, this question popped into my mind. So, I contemplated it for awhile, and I didn't really come up with any new genius answer... but here's some food for thought. If you love someone simply to recieve love back, are you really loving them at all? Wouldn't that really be loving yourself? Jesus says two things about love, one that loving your friend isn't all that impressive, because even tax collectors do that... but to love your enemy, now that's something(paraphrased). Secondly, that the greatest act of love is to lay your life down for another. Both of these acts require giving with no desire for recieving. Most likely loving an enemy will only get you critizism or a punch in the mouth. And, if your dead how will you ever be repayed. Everyone always says that it is better to give than recieve, but I know that personally sometimes my motivation for giving can be a little off. Maybe I am the only one, but I would be willing to bet not. I think that there is a principal that should be brought to everyday interactions. Give freely, even when it's an inconvience and do it to be a blessing, not to recieve one. God knows the heart and he judges it. Ask yourself one question this week, who am I loving? Others or myself. This maybe a hard pill to swallow, it was for me. Take it with a little bit of God's grace and it goes down fine. Hope that everyone has a wonderful day... and that you walk in God's presence and blessing all the time. I guess that is all the rambling I am going to do for now. Oh and in case anyone is wondering, I am doing fine... trying to stay as busy as I can. Life in Gilman is a little slow, slower than in GR actually if you can imagine that. Well better end this long post. Be blessed.

People Just Don't Get It!

2005-07-21T05:36:00.000-05:00

So, it's 3 o'clock in the mourning and God only knows what I am still doing up. Actually, I just got home from having one of the longest conversation in the world with a close friend of mine. We had a lot of catching up to do, since I did a really bad job of staying in touch while I was on the GAP program. Somehow on a conversation that jumped around to just about every aspect of life, her boyfriend got brought up, which, naturally would. As I ask a few questions, I sense a bit of uneasiness in her. She wanted to say things that she didn't think she should. Finally, I got it out of her, she thinks that she could do better, but doesn't want to take that chance, because she thinks she is as happy as she is going to be and that there is nothing better out there. Now I know that guys shouldn't really be talking to girls about this kind of thing, but to her I am just one of the girls(with a little more insight into the male mind). Anyway, the point of this is that I tried everything to convince her that she deserved to be incredible happy, but only you are responsible for you and your attitudes and happiness, which I believe is very important to realize. It is not up to someone else to make you happy. Sometimes, I feel like I am doing everything in the world to make someone happy and it just isn't working, that's when I have to say that nothing I can do can make them happy, it's up to them. More so, the point I am trying to make, is that settling should not be an option in anything, don't settle until you know it's the best. Then again if it's the best it's not settling. God wants to give us the very best and for some reason we are content to sit around with something good or even just okay. I believe that one of the major reasons for this is that people are to scared to put down what they have, and trust in God that he has something better. Especially in relationships, this can be extremely hard, some people either don't believe that they deserve any better or convince themselves that there isn't really anything wrong with what they have and that it's good enough. A question which my dad once asked me is "are you willing to put down something really good, and trust God is wanting to give you the very best?" God can't show us what is best until there is nothing blocking our view. So in closing, God is a big God and he's got incredible things in store for his children. God knows how to give good gifts to his children(Luke 11:9-13). Sometimes it requires patience(like waiting till Christmas mourning to open your gifts that have been sitting under the tree for weeks) because God maybe testing you. He gets to do that to see the motivation of your heart, because he gives more to the people he who have proven they can handle it(Luke19:11-27). God doesn't want you to settle for anything less than the absolute best in life. What do you want?

Sorry if this is a lot, but because of this conversation with my friend, I saw two major things:
1. We are responsible for our own attitudes and happiness
2. God is good, why settle for anything other than his perfect plan, the best

A Tribute to Some Dear Friends

2005-07-14T18:36:00.001-05:00

As of today, it has been officially one week since I have last seen all my dear friends from the GAP. I have been able to stay in touch with most of them which has been quite a blessing. I just thought I would tell a few stories to remind us of the past.
1. Nathan & Joseph... remember when we went for a walk in the woods at the camp(in St. Charles) and kind of got lost. Yeah, we went to that house with the guy who gave us crap directions... and we walked around in the dark for at least an hour before finding our way. Yeah, that's the kind of stuff that is fun once, but I don't think I ever want to do again.
2. Remember when my van broke down at the beginning of the year at Family Christian Store. Yeah that really wasn't fun either. I remember it was really hot and we were trying to decide the best plan of action. Nothing really worked, so we called for some help and all went home. Then Erin got the great joy of picking Nathan and I up every mourning for like two weeks... I am sure she didn't enjoy that very much, but hey then I got the Buick and we made lots of memories...
3. Like when we packed eight guys in there to have a guys night at the Dugans. Yep, we were definitely riding low that night. Then we were trying to find away to not take heavily traveled streets, and kind of got a little lost. By the time we finally found our way to the Dugan's it was practically time to go to sleep.
Okay that's enough story telling for now... maybe there will be another time when I will share random stories from my time on the GAP. For now I have to go to a surprise party for a friend who has been in Iraq serving in the Air Force. She is so cool. Well, that all for now... You stay classy New York, or where ever.

Same ol' Stuff

2005-07-13T22:20:00.000-05:00

Well, due to pressure from my readers, I am forced to update this blog. There has not been a whole lot exciting happening in my life since I left the GAP. I have kind of been taking it easy and making some plans for the future.
I have just returned home from my first worship practice in Gilman, it was quiet different to what I have grown accustom to in Grand Rapids. I have also started a part time job to make some money while I decide what I will do this coming school year.
My church is also preparing for it's biggest out reach of the year. We set up a booth at the local fair and have the oppurtunity to speak to many people. For all the GAPper's, I get to practice balloon evanglism again. One of the main things we do is pass out balloons to the children.
Other than that, not a whole lot has happened since I left the GAP.
I am looking forward to returning to Grand Rapids for James and Lynnsy's wedding, so to all you GR people, I will see you soon. Okay that's all for now. God Bless.

I'mmm Back!

2005-07-07T20:17:00.000-05:00

So, I just returned home to Watseka, Illinois this mourning from Grand Rapids, Michigan... where I had an fanatastic year on the GAP team. It was strange, all the emotions that came from leaving the people and places that have become so dear to my heart. Last night, I got the oppurtunity to spend one last night with two of my closest friends Joseph Goulden and Nathan Caughey. We stayed the night at the Hamans, and left early this mourning because I had to bring Joseph to the airport in Chicago. At the airport Joseph found that his bags weighed way too much, so I had to bring all his books back with me. Imagine me carrying twenty books in my hands through the airport and having no clue where I was going. That was quite the experience. Then I got lost coming out of the airport and ended up driving around Chicago for about 45 minutes. Once I finally got home, the feelings were so strange, but then I took a nap, so it was all better. Life is kind of hard to describe right now, but I am looking forward to the next chapter of life. God Bless!

Forth of July

2005-07-06T03:48:00.000-05:00

Well, I am done with the GAP, and the day that it finished me and a couple of friends drove to New York City for Independence Day. It was cool, we got to do some site seenig, shopping, and fire work watching. And I can tell you, that is the best fire works display I have ever seen, not that I have a lot to compare it to. We saw all the sites in the mourning, like, the Empire State Building, the Rockafeller Center, Carnagie Hall, Radio City, Time Square, and some other stuff. After that we had lunch in Central Park. Then, we went shopping on 5th Ave. We ended the evening watching the fire works and started a ten hour drive home at around 11 pm. All in all, it was a great way to spend my first couple of days of the GAP. I am back in Grand Rapids to see some friends to the airport, then it is back the Watseka, Illinois for me. And time to start planning more crazy trips. That's it.

Benny Hinn

2005-06-19T19:32:00.000-05:00

Last friday, I had the oppurtunity and privelage to go to a Benny Hinn Cursade. He is such an annoited man of God and you could feel the expectation all over the room... And the Holy Spirit responded to the faith that was in that room. We saw many people healed, saved, and set free. It was awsome to see thousands of people worshipping God together. Nobody cared about denomination or creed or color. There was two things I saw there that are a must in the Kingdom of God. One is that the expectation at a Benny Hinn meeting should be brought into everyday life. Second is that we are all going to worship together in heaven, why shouldn't we try it now. Cool... God Bless.

A Day in the Life

2005-06-07T16:38:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was the GAPs day off. The boys (Nate C., Matt C., Joesph G., and myself) all spent the day on the lake. We went swimming, got some ice cream, and played poker and pool. We also talked about the future. The best times I have are in the car riding twenty to forty minutes between houses. We talk about the future, the past, and the things of God. Having three great friends around everyday is such an advantage for growth.
The really terrible thing is that yesterday Theory of a Deadman was playing in Grand Rapids, but I didn't know until a couple hours before the concert started. None of the other GAP boys would like them anyway... but still I wish that I could have been there. I got to hear them play some acoustic stuff on the radio. That good enough for now. Alright... that's it!

There and Back Again

2005-06-04T19:05:00.000-05:00

My friends have come and gone. It was really cool to see them. They are so random and I needed a bit of randomness back in my life. We had a lot of fun. We are all from a small town and when we were all together in the city (Grand Rapids) we did the same stuff we did at home. We drove out to the country and looked at the stars and sat in a park late at night swinging. You can take a boy out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the boy.
We were finally able to go swimming in the Haman Lake today. Joesph Goulden (one of the GAP boys lives there). It has been so cold from the winter, but today Joesph, Nathan, Matthew, and I went out for a swim. It wasn't warm, but it was refreshing. I look forward to many more days on the lake before the end of the GAP, which is coming up soon. It seems like I have been on the GAP for my whole life... it is really weird to think about it being over. But I am pumped. Well got to go do something productive. C-ya.

The British Are Coming!

2005-05-31T17:04:00.000-05:00

Well actually they are not British at all... but they are my friends. Anna Orland and Rowena Torres are coming from my hometown of Watseka to visit me for three days. They are both on summer break from college and we haven't seen each other in months. Anna goes to college in St. Louis, Missouri and Rowena is in Chicago, Illinois. They were two of my closest friends the last couple years of high school. I am looking forward to a really fun time of hanging out and talking alot (that's what we do best!). By the way, they are coming tomorrow. I am really pumped, but anyway just wanted to fill everyone in on what's been going on. Other than that everything is as normal as possible for the GAP. Smell ya later.

Extreme Prayer Furnace

2005-05-23T15:06:00.000-05:00

Hey everybody, this was an awsome weekend. The church here in Grand Rapids does what is called a Extreme Prayer Furance a couple of times a year. It is where people in the church get to together and have a 24 hour prayer meeting. It started at 9 a.m. Saturday and finished 9 a.m. Sunday. The thing is at least one person has to be in praying for the whole of the 24 hours. Sometimes there's 1 or 2 people and others there's more. The GAP was required to be there from 12 to 1 p.m. and then again from 7 to 9 p.m. and it was really cool. The best part was that two of my fellow GAPPERS, Nathan and Joesph, and I all went from 3 to 6 a.m. and the pressence of God was really cool in those early mourning hours. It was really great to spend awsome time with God and have my friends there as well. Of course now I am feeling quite drained, but at least I have the day off. So maybe I should go take a nap... that's what I'll do. Peace.

MP3

2005-05-19T11:55:00.000-05:00

I just bought a new MP3 player. It is really cool, my discman broke so I decided I would join the 21st century. I realized in putting music on my MP3 players how much of my music I don't listen to anymore, but I also reobtained a liking for some of my old stuff. I found what I am listening to most now is Travis. They rock, Joesph turn me on to them this year. I also have some other stuff like the Foo Fighters, Trust Company, and Dashboard Confessional, which I love as well, but haven't been listening to as much. There's also this song "Too Many Days" by Maria Solheim which I totally love... Silje introduced me to that. The GAP Teamers have had quite an influnce on my musical taste, which is cool. Anyway... nothing else to say.

Back Again

2005-05-18T15:06:00.000-05:00

The GAP Team just travelled to St. Charle and Elgin, Illinois for a 5 day trip. We had a lot of fun evanglizing in a college and hospital, passing out balloons, and helping in meetings. Serving with the bodies there was such a great joy. The people there blessed us by making sure that we were well fed. I ate more home cooked meals in a week than I have pretty much the whole time I have been on the GAP. Wow was I ever full... I didn't know that I could eat so much. Anyway... God did a great thing with the team. Some moments were not so fun, but all in all we grew a lot as individuals and as a team. Trips this year have been so much fun. For those who don't know we have been to Peterborough and Toronto, Canada; Gilman, Illinois; and St. Charles/Elgin, Illinois. That is our last trip this year, and it was a great one to end on. God Bless Y'all.

Did Somebody Say a Revolution

2005-05-07T14:55:00.000-05:00

Well then Josh and Aprils wedding went fanatastic last night. There were some great speechs and fun dancing at the reception. I also got to fellowship with some dear friends from Canada. It was great to see the Clarks, the Bests, and Cam Frazier.
Today we are having a special worship practice with Cam for the Revolutions conference in July. I greatly anticipate this confernce because it will be a excellent oppurtunity for young adults to come together to worship God, fellowship, and spend time in the Word of God. Andrew Hughes, Steve Wilkins, and Dan Reynolds will all be sharing the heart of God for our generation. It will be an awsome time. Now I have to go pretend like I can play a guitar. Till the next time.

I Believe in a Thing Called Love

2005-05-06T14:19:00.000-05:00

Howdy! It's been awhile since I have posted anything. If you can't tell by the title I have been listening to the Darkness a little too much. Anyway... I have been really busy recently. The GAP has been helping out with the set up for a wedding here in Grand Rapids. Wow... that goes with the theme... and I wasn't even trying. Yeah, Joshua David Best and April Something White are getting married in a few short hours. They are my age. That is just plain scarey, but they are ready and God is definitely in it. Isn't it great when God calls people together at such a young age. They have been together for quite some time. God Bless them both... together.
Well it's been real, and it's been fun... but it hasn't been real fun. Till next time... who knows when that will be. David out!

Break Is Coming to a Close

2005-03-27T19:31:00.000-06:00

I have had a fantastic time on break this past week. I have been able to relax and catch up with old friends. I also got to eat Easter dinner with my family. My parent mothers are the best cooks in the whole world. I have a had a week full of blessings and trials, but God is good through it all. He is always speaking... are we listening? I have been so blessed in finances and revelation. I will be heading "home" to Grand Rapids tomorrow to finish up the last three months of the GAP Team. I look forward to getting the most out of every last minute. I won't be gone from home long, because in a week and a half the GAP Team will be traveling to my home church for an exciting week of serving and fellowshipping. Time to pack for the journey back to Grand Rapids were more adventure and more of God's blessing awaits.

I am a Follower

2005-03-23T17:13:00.000-06:00

I guess this is the new thing, or maybe it's old. Either way I was just introduced to this blog idea recently. And, since everybody's doing so will I. I guess that kind of makes me a follower. But what's wrong with following a good idea. That is the core of being a Christian, you have to admit that there's something better and follow that idea. Jesus preached "the Way" and his disciples followed him. I am one of his disciples and having something to follow is much better than wandering around in the darkness.