What the world?!

I know, where have I been. I mean not just physically, but mentally (ohh...that's a dangerous thought), emotionally, and most importantly spiritually.

Let me start out by saying that God is good.

Now for the update:

In the last year, I've packed all my stuff 3 times: Twice in the Spring and Fall, for semesters at Southeastern University, and once for my internship in the summer.

In the last year, God has revealed Himself to me like never before. I am so in love with my Savior and my Redeemer.

In the last year, I've changed my major twice: History to Missional Ministry to English and Intercultural Studies.

In the last year, my missions calling and my heart for women to grow strong in the Lord has intensified.

In the last year, I've met really awesome people, and God has led me to a really awesome church and the opportunity to serve a really awesome city.

Yes God is good, and it's getting better. I am working on a really great post about Jacob in the book of Genesis. Hopefully I'll have it soon =)

Well, till next time...

This is DaybyDay

By: Daylet L.

Where's the Rush...

This makes me sad.

It's been almost a month and I have not written anything.

It's not that I have not been inspired, I've just been, well...EVERYWHERE.

It feels like there are not enough hours in a day. Between finding a job, and starting a new ministry at my church, being a youth leader, and trying to be there for my family; I am tired.

But in the hustle and bustle and in the rush of the day, we forget we have a Sovereign God who deserves to be PRAISED!

Yep, that's it. Pretty short, huh? Well that's my point. I don't need markers, or bold letters or a lengthy explanation. No scientific formula or step by step hand book. Just a God that:

Psalm 8:3-6 (New Living Translation)

³ When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—
the moon and the stars you set in place—
⁴ what are mere mortals that you should think about them,
human beings that you should care for them?
and crowned them with glory and honor.
⁶ You gave them charge of everything you made,
putting all things under their authority—

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

E

See what it means to me...

Perhaps, respect can make or break a family.

Eventually it may make or break a church.

Can make or break a job.

T

RESPECT...

Tug of War

I love that game. You need strength and skill to win the game. You need determination and an ignorance to the things around you and just focus on task.

As of late that has been my life.

I have been playing Tug of War with God, and I have been loosing a mighty game.

I want to hold on to the things I know; where I am comfortable. But God is mighty and He is strong and as I am holding on to the rope, He keeps pulling--the rope burn is painful.

I ignored the signs He sent and rationalized my restlessness. As I am holding on I am holding back what God wants to do. I was focused on what I was doing that I forgot that God puts things in our lives for a season and then it's time to move on. All of my skills and strength come from Him, so plainly all I HAVE is stubbornness and arrogance.

These last two days God has really broken me, and it's painful. He has resurrected feelings and doubts, but one by one he has healed and brought truth and love. He has shared a lot with me, and for that I am thankful.

Jeremiah 29:11 (New Living Translation)

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

I have known that scripture for awhile, but last night it took a brand new meaning. God's word is everlasting and applies to seasons of our lives. Even the most overused verses can freshen and inspire the soul.

One answer I can share is this:

James 4:8 (New Living Translation)

⁸ Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.

LORD I am done with the Tug of War. You win, but I don't loose...I am joining Your team. You always have room =)

Fahrenheit 451by Ray Bradbury

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

My rating: 5 of 5 stars WOW! It was amazing. Where can I start my review? I love how Ray Bradbury made up this world that is so much like our own today. In Fahrenheit 451, the world is surrounded by media and entertainment. They are more focused on how they can be pleased rather than what is going on around them.

With all the entertainment going on (Montag’s home: 3 T.V ‘s wall to wall, that are never turned off) they have no time for one another. To converse. To fellowship.

They live in a world of ignorance and arrogance. Basically they rather not care about anything. They don’t care if someone dies, if there is war…about anything. They are trained to think how they are told: “You never stop to think what I’ve asked you” pg.8 They have every necessity at their fingertips. They don’t care if on some other continent people starve. But even with everything they are discontent. You have people committing suicide and murders.

The basis of this book is how they go about censoring books. Firemen start fires, rather than put them out. Heaven forbid someone is uncomfortable. Everything has to be politically correct. And when books started portraying a different view point other than their own, then they were censored. And since every writer things differently, why not get rid of all. Everything from Shakespeare, Plato, The Constitution, The Magna Carta and the Bible had to go.

They have a twisted philosophy: “We must all be alike. Not everyone born free and equal, as the Constitution says, but everyone made equal. Each man the image of every other; then all are happy,” Pg. 58.

Then comes in Guy Montag. A Fireman. Burns Books. Now wants to save them. He has to fight his Captain, his squad and his wife. Guy was disquiet before even the book started. He knew that there was a deeper meaning to the books than the negativity that other s tried to portray on them. And he is on a trek fighting the “norm” to bring back the “just”. Guy is hungry for learning. He finds it amazing how he can think on the weather, the sky—his surrounding take in a depth.

“and one day he would look back upon the fool and know the fool. Even now he could feel the start of the long journey, the leave taking, the going-away from the self he had been.” pg. 103

View all my reviews >>

Camp Re-Cap (The Story)

Camp=Emotional High. To convey what could be possible in a Christian life if such a person dedicates time to spend in the presence of God. The temporary intimacy of being secluded from the world.

I may be a pessimist, but that is what I have come to find to mean "Camp".

Well God can change your perspective, can't He? He certainly changed mine.

I have been down the road of camps. It was great while I was there. I got in God's Word more, because there was a designated moment for it. And that made a pattern for the rest of the week to follow. But when I got home, the first couple of days I would try to make time and then other things became important. Also worship. At camp you worship like never before. You know that you have set aside a week of your summer, maybe even paid for it, and you are going to give it all you've got. The music is great. The lyrics are inspiring. And everywhere you go you hear of an awesome God. YOUR ARE OPEN TO AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE FOR THE WEEK.

What is different this time around? The experience did not start at Camp.

God had been moving in the hearts of the Impact Youth Group even before camp started. For awhile God has been calling Impact to a higher standard of living, intimacy, and fellowship in Him. Slowly but surely we have answered that calling.

When we arrived at camp it just further affirmed what God was doing. I found a deeper freedom in worship and praise. I saw a whole new side of God. One that I had heard about but not seen. I saw a God that wants to be a part of your life and He wants you to be a part of His.

I praise God because Impact has been open for an amazing experience for awhile. I've been astounded to see the excitment that GOING TO YOUTH GROUP has brought. It's not about what the pastor can do, but what GOD CAN DO.

This is a passage that God has revealed to me before and during camp. God is moving, I am following.

1 Peter 1:14-21 (New Living Translation)

¹⁴ So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. ¹⁵ But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. ¹⁶ For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.”

¹⁷ And remember that the heavenly Father to whom you pray has no favorites. He will judge or reward you according to what you do. So you must live in reverent fear of him during your time as “foreigners in the land.” ¹⁸ For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver. ¹⁹ It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. ²⁰ God chose him as your ransom long before the world began, but he has now revealed him to you in these last days.

²¹ Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And you have placed your faith and hope in God because he raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory.

Camp Re-Cap (Prologue)

Why the Prologue?

Well there is a lot to say. Also my family is waiting for me down stairs to play Monopoly. Here's the chance God has given me. To build the gap between my family.

Who will stand in the Gap between them and Christ? I am called.

So with renewed strength and humbleness I will go bring them to bankruptcy =)

Thank you Lord!

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HERE IS A RE-CAP VIDEO!

Thank you: Michael Santiago