C-C-Christmas!!

Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan-

The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death
a light has dawned.
You have enlarged the nation
and increased their joy;
they rejoice before you
as people rejoice at the harvest,
as men rejoice
when dividing the plunder.
For as in the day of Midians's defeat,
you have shattered
the yoke that burdens them,
the bar across their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressor.
Every warrior's boot used in battle
and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning,
will be fuel for the fire.
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Depressing stuff

I realized something yesterday. If I would die. Today. At this very moment. What on earth would I say to Jesus when he asked me to give an account of my life.
I think it would be something like this:
After I stumble fractions of words out and after I rack my brain for a while.
I think all I could do was apologize.
I mean I guess I could say I read my bible almost every day... but that didn't really stop me from breaking the rules I read.
And I guess I could say I helped inner city kids with their homework every monday. But acts with out love is nothing... and im pretty sure hooking up with girls the same night isn't loving people.
And I guess I could say I beat an addiction. Kind of. I mean atleast I stopped looking at the stuff. But I can't say my mind is free from lust.
And I went on missions trips! But never really took the time to love the people on them.
And I had every intention of going to amsterdam. But I guess that doesn't count does it?
So in the end. All I would say is sorry.
Sorry for living like Jesus gave me an eternity. When I know full well he doesn't promise a single day.

I really need to stop looking like a rock star

So today while I was innocently shopping for my favorite snackfood, Snyders of Hanovers Hot Wing Pretzel Pieces (just so you know), in the snack aisle at my local Weis. I was stopped by a rather grungy looking man. He asked me to help him find white cheese curls. I helped him and quickly found the white cheese curls. But in the process of looking for them he asked me the one question that 90 percent of people ask me, "Do you play guitar?". I laughed. As usual. And answered no. As usual. And went on my merry way. I got my delicious pretzel bites, and of course, went to the same check out the man was at. He recognized me as the white cheese curl man and began going down the list of instruments that I possibly look like I could play. I stopped him after drums. And told him I play keyboard. And just by coincidence his brother happened to be looking for a keyboardist to play in his band that does "The Doors" covers. I politely refused. But he really didn't want to take no for an answer. So he pulled me to the side and wrote down his brothers cell number and other contact information. That I will never ever use. He would seriously not let me go. I kept trying to tell him I wasn't looking for a band. But he just kept going on about the band. And I'm too rude to walk away. So I ended up standing there by the check out for 5 minutes talking to him.

So in short. I am really thinking of shaving my head so people stop asking me that stinking question and inviting me to odd cover band practices. Or maybe I should just learn guitar and become a rock star.

Tired.

2 Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling,3 because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.
2 Corinthians 5:2-4

I think that verse sums up my life this past month and a half. I can't wait for the day where there is no burden. Where there is no more hurt, rejection, mistakes, guilt and sickness. Where everything in me that isn't meant to be there will finally be swallowed up. Where I can breathe freely. Without this weight on my chest of my fears and insecurities. I sometimes wonder how I will make it much longer in this world.

5 Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
2 Corinthians 5:5

Then I read that.
And I realize how I made it this far.

Togo! Togo home. Cuz your all gonna lose.

This year was my third youth camp with frequency youth. I'm not exactly sure why i went. Being that it was more expensive than last year. But managed to somehow be shorter. But I went anyways. I have to admit this was the most life changing camp or outreach or anything that I have been on. Not because the speaker was anyone special, (In fact I wasn't exactly his biggest fan), or because of any altar time, prayer time or worship time. It was because of one simple thing. A decision. A very simple, tiny decision. After one of the services I sat down to have a talk with the ever majestic Roy Harbold. And I was humbled. Listening to Roy (who does not go to a bible college) quote and turn to scripture after scripture, reveal seemingly endless information on character after character of the bible and history of the races, people and books of the bibe had an interesting effect on me. I realized that I don't have to wait for college to begin to really study the word. So I made that decision. To begin to really dig into God's word. And it really has changed me. I also got to see the new generation of young folk seek God. They pray harder than I've seen anyone at that age. Many of them were filled with the Holy Spirit at that camp. And it was awesome to see them all press into God and really desire him. Plus Miles "Smiles" Anderson is my replacement when I go to college. No lie.

Invest

I just returned from the exciting task of chaperoning a penn-del kids camp somewhere up in carlisle. I am freaking exhausted. The four days I spent with the seven 7-9 year old kids assigned to me was easily one of the most patience trying, frustrating and stressful times of my life. In four days I heard more whining, screaming, crying than parents who just had triplets. I have more bruises, scratches, bites (from kids not bugs) and other random marks on my body (from my kids using me as a punching bag) than an antelope that was just mauled by a lion. And every muscle in my back is sore from the children using me as a jungle gym and demanding piggy back rides. But I also saw those same kids connect with God on a deep level. Prayers were prayed and decisions were made that will forever effect those 7 kids lifes. And it made every bruise, headache, scratch, punch and bite worth it.

Panama (conclusion)

Well. It feels like months ago that I left for the most humid, sweat soaked country on Earth. I grew. Spiritually, and facial hair. Well, kind of. It's a work in progress. Much like me. I will not go into details of my trip on this blog. You can ask me if you want to find out. I always prefer the face to face conversations than rather impersonal blogs. But needless to say, My God reigns. Over all the earth. In 12 days He gave hope to the hopeless, He found the lost, He cleaned the dirty, and He proved himself the greatest friend a person could have. People gave their lives to their new savior. Orphans found a Father. The sick were healed. And people given second chances. Tears were cried at the revelation of being loved. Smiles broke on faces hardened by this loveless world that they are no longer of, but only in.
In short:
Our God reigns.

Fin.