A Life Of Blessings

When I sit here trying to think about all the things I am thankful for, I am afraid that this action would leave a daunting task ahead. Not because I have nothing to be thankful for, but that If I started listing now, I would be here for a very long time. God has blessed me with so many things to be thankful for and I do owe it all to him.

God provided me with a loving family who I can count on for anything. A mom who loves me and blesses me with her presence, showing me perseverance through anything she does. My dad has blessed me by showing me qualities such as how to be a hard worker, and most of all, a loving husband, showing me how women like my mom should be treated. I have been blessed with two awesome brothers, who even with different personalities, have become very close to me over the last couple years. I have been blessed with wonderful grandparents, who provide many different wisdoms and loves through the years. I have been blessed with having a Great Grandfather who I was very close to through my younger years, showing me how to live and love others with the wisdom he had given me.

I have been blessed to have a very special woman in my life, Emily. She has been more of a blessing than she can truly understand, supporting me through the rough times in college and walking with me hand-in-hand through this journey of life, showing me how to love like Jesus did. She has taught me a lot and really, I can't thank her enough for being apart of my life.

I have been blessed with many friends, both at Spring Arbor and from back home. They have been so supportive and we have had many good times that I undoubtedly look to continue in the future.

I am thankful for the education that I am getting here at Spring Arbor. I have been blessed to have many brilliant professors teaching me many things and allowing me to gain from their wisdom and knowledge. I have a wonderful job that has taught me the ins and outs of radio and some great bosses to work under, having them really care about me and wanting to help me develop in my career and be the best broadcaster I can be.

I have been blessed with a wonderful youth group to be apart of in the Nazarene Church. They have taught me many things and I get to continue building relationships with the kids here, getting to watch them grow in their relationships with Christ and to have a great time with them.

I have also been blessed with a God who loves me. A God who wants and needs me and continues to desire me. This is mind blowing and I am absolutely thankful for him.

In this time of thanksgiving, I have many things to be thankful for. These are just a few of the blessings in my life.

True Patriotism

As the 4th of July is coming tomorrow, it just got my mind going. I look back at the many years that I have been celebrating the 4th of July and I see many parades and fireworks and city people coming up to the thumb to celebrate (this is just my personal experience). But out of all these festivities, where has the reminder or rememberance of why we celebrate this holiday gone? Is it some holiday meant for watching parades of tractors and cars pulling wagons of advertisements and promoting their business? Or for an excuse for people to drink? Maybe to get many people situated on a beach, prepared to be dazled and amazed by many bright lights and loud sounds? I still think we are missing it.

A few days ago, I went to a funeral for a youth veteran who passed away in battle recently. He was a true hero who fought for our country, and indeed, making the ultimate sacrifice for the freedom of America. As I showed up, I saw hundreds of people, some attending the funeral, some who are bikers who were apart of something called the patriot guard. There were dozens of men and women lined up, some knew the young man, some didn't, who were holding American flags and were apart of the "flag guard". These people came from miles around, to pay tribute to this man, and to the country that he was serving. It was truly a beautiful moment that brought many people together to honor these two things. I saw so many people with true patriotism that it was very inspirational.

I just challenge you to look for real ways that you can remember the true reason for why we celebrate the 4th. Thank a solider, honor our country, help a neighbor, do something to show your thankfulness for the freedom that we have. Don't let this 4th of July go unnoticed as to why we truly do celebrate it.

Will Not Move

As I am sitting up at 2:26 in the morning writing a 10 page paper, I realize how lucky I am. It is not everyday that a person will stay up with you, in the rough padded student center, motivating you to keep moving on, falling asleep on you because she is so tired, but refusing to go back to her own bed. Emily Cleveland means so much to me because it is the endless love and selflessness that is keeping her up. She wants me to succeed, to be my best, and she is willing to stay up till the crazy hours of the night with me. She is sleeping now but I just want to thank her and tell her how lucky I am to have her by my side. Thank you so much Emily, I love you.

Intentionality

Recently I have been really focusing on intentionality and how intentional I am in my life towards God's will for me. Now am really focusing out on this and seeing what are some of the distractions keeping me from doing this and seeing God's will for my life. Is it the T.V, the internet, or the countless hours I am spending on facebook that is distracting me from God's will in my life and the growth that he wants for me? This is something that I am really trying to examine in my life and be more intentional to do while seeking what he wants from me. I really want to start taking walks, how ever long they may be, with no distractions and just really focus in solitude to what God is speaking to me about and to really grow in him.

Eye Opening

God has been doing some crazy things in my life. As the first year of college at SAU seems to be rushing to an end, I find myself seeing a lot of growth. I have developed many friends who I have been blessed to meet and know, and will be friends with for a very long time. I have been a part of a special radio team and have been able to provide my listeners with encouraging music as they listen throughout the day, sharing things that I have been learning in my life. I have been through many things and seen a shift in myself, especially on a spiritual level. With the help of a very special person in my life, Emily, I have been blessed to really get into the word and have been seeing things that I have never seen before. I have been searching deep into God's word like I have not done before and God is showing me things that have changed my life and perspective. He touches me daily, weather it be praying as I wake up, I feel refreshed and in step with his plan for me and I seem to be more loving to people when I do that. Worshipping him every part of my day is truly an amazing feeling. My freshman/sophomore year at SAU has been a very good one. I have been blessed by many people who love me, and many who have helped me grow. I am a very blessed man.

VBS

Tonight, I got to work with some of the greatest kids! Pray for them as they continue on with Vacation Bible School, finish the rest of the summer, and go off to school!

WWJD

WWJD has more meaning than just a child armband or a bouncy ball. It is given to kids so that when they come to a decision, they can make a good choice. It is a right/wrong kind of thing. Well how can we as adults live the way Jesus did? Putting WWJD (What Would Jesus Do) in real life perspectives. God sent Jesus to show us how to live. He was our teacher (messiah), or rabbi and he was sent to lead by example, more or less. He was here to teach that the kingdom of heaven starts here on Earth. In Matthew 4:17, Jesus says, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." This means that we need to change our wicked, worldly ways and act as Jesus would. Show love, kindness, mercy, forgiveness, all like Jesus did. I do believe that Jesus dying on the cross for my sins was an important part of the reason Jesus was sent. But I more so believe that Jesus was sent to show us how to live.