Wedding #2 "how to get your youth leader to cheer when you kiss a girl."

Last night two of my old high school students got married, and I had the Honor of being one of the Groomsmen. It was a long day filled with driving, setting up chairs, taking pictures, laughter, friends, and dancing. The day had its ups and down's just like any day. However watching these two who I've had the privileged of watching grow up from awkward freshmen to slightly less awkward Adults, and then peers and friends, become husband and wife was such a blessing. We all clapped and cheered when this beautiful couple was given the green light to kiss. Thats when it hit me, for 4 years of their lives I would have had to say "hey what are you 2 doing making out, that is unacceptable" (not that these 2 were the kind of people that would  do that in front of anyone)  but this day they kissed in front of friends, and Family, pastors, mentors and no one was offended. In fact we all clapped and Cheered.

SO the lesson for any students reading this If you want to get your youth leaders, pastors, friends and family to be totally ok with you kissing someone in front of a large crowd. Commit to someone and get married.

Congrats to Josh and Maddy, I pray your marriage is blessed. I love you guys.

Good timing God.

My Church is doing weekly memory verses and this weeks memory verse is from Romans 8:28  ^"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who^[i] have been called according to his purpose." 

God would have this be the verse to remember after one of the Hardest weeks of my life. As my family and I pray for my mom who just recently found out she has Breast Cancer I realize we are faced with a choice when it comes to this verse and all the promises of God's love, and his goodness toward us. I realize more deeply that God working all things for the Good, includes "all things" even the things that we hate like sickness, pain, and suffering. Thank leaves us faced with the choice to believe God and trust him and his word or to think of him as a liar. Just like love his a choice hope, faith, and trust they all boil down to a choice. Today I choose to believe, I choose to hope, I choose to trust, I choose to put my faith in God and trust that He is working for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purpose, including my family, because we love him, and because He loves us.

Not as unbreakable as I thought.

Yesterday I found out that my Mom has breast cancer. She went in a bout a week ago for a biopsy so we had been nervously waiting for the results, and welp now we know. It was kind of surreal hearing the news from my Dad, that morning. He explained what was going on and that they were going to go talk to the doctors and figure out the options and a game plan to deal with the cancer. I got a chance to pray with him, and then later with my mom before they went to work, and After they left I did something I haven't done in a long time. I cried. I realized with all the crazy things that have been going on around me life just keeps seeming to pile up. I thought I wouldn't crack under the pressure I though "hey God's got me I can handle what ever comes my way" but this... This is more than I can Handle alone. I totally trust that God will take care of my Mom, either through an awesome miracle  (which is what I'm really hoping and praying for) or through the help of some good doctors who have all said things look good (as good as they can for having cancer) and that they expect this cancer will not end in death.

I write this because I realized how much I am like my mom and dad. See my parents had known the results for a couple of days and didn't tell me, or anyone really until they thought they were going to go to the hospital for surgery (don't worry no surgery have occurred yet) Knowing them they didn't want to worry me or be a burden. When they finally told me the news I first wondered why did they wait to tell me, and that's when God reminded me how I do the same thing, I wait until the breaking point... and sometimes long after the breaking point before asking for help. God allowed me to see today that I am not as unbreakable as I though. after My parents left for work all I could do was pray, cry, and play and sing this song



I'd appreciate prayer for my mom's health, and for my family as we go through this. I'll admit I'm feeling kind broken and lost But no matter what Happens over the next few months I will Continue to trust that God is good, that He is working all this out for good, and that some how it will turn out for the best for my family even when I don't understand why things are happening the way they are.

(some verses that God's laid on my heart to keep me focused on his goodness in the middle of this)
John 11:4 When he heard this, Jesus said, "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it."
 Romans 8:²⁸ And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who^[a] have been called according to his purpose
Psalm 43:5 Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
(I read these and I wonder how God will work everything out but I have to trust, and hope that Since he's brought my family this far he hasn't brought us this far to leave us)

God bless, thanks for reading and thanks for praying,
-L.J.

Road trip anyone?

This music video makes me miss going on random beach trips with friends, and just taking days to get away to relax and have fun. I think I need to go on a road trip soon. Is it sad that Winter hasn't started and I'm already wishing it was next summer?

Anyways the reason I think I love this song and random beach trips with my friends so much is that for me road trips with friends are usually carefree, restful, and peaceful. Even if I'm driving and we leave before my preferred wake up time of 10am. I still enjoy them because its a chance to leave work behind and remember that I'm not a machine and I need time to rest from leading, working, producing, and studying. This song reminds me of my Idea of a good Sabbath. I don't know what a good Sabbath's days rest looks like for you but I encourage you to take it. even God took a day off to rest. (not that He needed it)

God bless'
L.J.

Finding a Soul Mate.... Is there one out there for me?

Short answer to that Question... IDK. Seriously I don't know. In fact there are a lot of things I just don't know in this life. Could God have created just one girl that I'm meant to end up with and someday in the future we'll have one of those  movie style encounters where we see each other across the room and suddenly music starts playing a large fan blows her hair in just the right way as she flips it and looks at me at the just the right moment to catch me taking off my motorcycle helmet looking extra Manly with a perfectly groomed beard, looking back at her and as our eyes meet somehow there is an electrical short in the room that causes sparks to fly...... (ok thats probably not going to happen, but i'm just saying it could.)

Side note: "xkcd" has an awesome blog answering the question what if everyone had only one soul mate Check it out here: http://what-if.xkcd.com/9/

I believe God is sovereign and in control enough to guide us to our soul mate if he choses,
I also Believe that Love is a choice, most people I know don't really just fall in love like its some kinda hole in the ground that caught them by surprise. I realize love may show up unexpectedly, However love takes work. 2 people meet, they have to choose to spend time with each other, and learn about each other, they go on dates.

I think this statement in Genesis can Help clear up how I feel about soul mates I believe that once you get married a man and a woman become one, thats when they become soul mates. In Genesis it says that Eve was specifically made from and for Adam, sadly I've never come out of a deep sleep and had God bring me a wife yet. I do however believe that If I'm following after God and decide seek out a wife someday that as me and her love each other, serve each other, and grow closer together that we'll become one.
Genesis 2:24 "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh."

Also I don't want to deny what God spoke to Jeremiah in Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. " I still fully believe that God does have plans for us but unless he specifically tells you to do something He's also give us a brain to think and wisdom to follow guidelines. God never specifically told me to Get a Job, or to put shoes on this morning before riding my motorcycle but He did give me wisdom enough to make a wise choice. I don't believe there is anything wrong with making a wise choice in an area that God hasn't specifically spoken, take a look at the book of Nehemiah God never tells Nehemiah to rebuild the city or the wall but as Nehemiah prays and lives to honor God, God knows the plans he had for Nehemiah and blesses him.

Peace be with you.

The wedding season begins!

Today I went to the first wedding of this semester; there are 3 more on the way if i'm doing my math right. Which for me means more "pressure" to hurry up and find someone to fall in love with and get married (did I mention I caught garter....) Don't worry I don't actually feel pressured to get Married anytime soon. But as I sat and watched this beautiful wedding, with a smile from ear to ear (P.S. congrats Cori & Chad) I realized I want to get Married. I want to fall in love someday and be a blessing to my future wife and her family in the same way Chad has already been a blessing to Cori and her family. I know Marriage is a huge calling. I mean the calling to "love your wife as Christ loved the Church and gave him self up for it" (Ephesians 5:25) is no small task. However as I listened to Chad share his vows, I noticed that He was excited about giving his all to love his bride. It wasn't a burden but a joy, and I think the best thing about today was to see Love in action as Cori and Chad expressed their love for each other.

some other Highlights of the wedding include:

1. Watching 2 people who love Jesus, and each other come together with the full support of all of there family land friends is a beautiful thing.

2. Watching a father hand his daughter over the her husband and say that he fully trust his new Son-in-law to cover her, to love, and take care of her is another beautiful thing.

3. Joining in with friends and celebrating, dancing, and laughing is something this world could use a whole lot more of.

OK I'm done rambling for tonight. God bless.

Can your faith Save somebody else?

Today I listened to this podcast http://feeds.feedburner.com/PerryNobleLeadershipPodcast by Perry Noble and It asked an important question. "Can your faith save somebody else?" Check out the podcast if you have time its pretty legit. If you don't have that much time just read some of the verses he points to in Mark. (I've included them below to make things easy for you) The short answer I think is yes, YES your faith can save somebody else, when it is accompanied by action! In all the stories below, people who believed in Jesus took there friends to meet Jesus. Because of their faith they put their friends in front of Jesus. Some times they had to carry them, sometimes they had to go way out of their way but they did what ever they needed to do to get there friends the help that Jesus had to offer.

As a Christian I believe I once was blind but now I see, I once was lost stuck in Sin, depressed and with out hope. I'm so grateful someone brought me to a place where I was bound to run into Jesus because They believed God was willing and able to change my life and He has changed my life. I'm now able to see the Truth, I am no longer paralyzed by sin, and I have hope and Joy because of what Jesus has done for me and the love he continues to give me. For my brothers and sisters in Christ Its time we started putting our faith into action and started bringing people to Jesus and asking, and begging Jesus help them. Something tells when we do this we will be blown away by how Jesus responds

Mark: 2: ² They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. ³ Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. ⁴ Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. ⁵ When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

Mark 7: ³¹ Then Jesus left the vicinity of Tyre and went through Sidon, down to the Sea of Galilee and into the region of the Decapolis.^[h] 32 There some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk, and they begged Jesus to place his hand on him.

³³ After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then he spit and touched the man’s tongue. ³⁴ He looked up to heaven and with a deep sighsaid to him, “Ephphatha!” (which means “Be opened!”). ³⁵ At this, the man’s ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly.

³⁶ Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone. But the more he did so, the more they kept talking about it. ³⁷ People were overwhelmed with amazement. “He has done everything well,” they said. “He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

Mark 8:²² They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. ²³ He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?”

²⁴ He looked up and said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around.”

²⁵ Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. ²⁶ Jesus sent him home, saying, “Don’t even go into^[a] the village.”

(P.s. If you don't know Jesus and still took the time to read this, thanks and I hope you come to know that Jesus loves you. Jesus loves the hurting, and the broken, and the came to seek and save the lost and the sinner Jesus paid the price for all sin on the cross. If you have an questions or want some prayer please message me or leave a comment, God bless)

Enjoy the little things Rule # 32

Sometimes we get busy.....

To busy for our own Good. we plan and squeeze as much stuff into one day as humanly possible, and then at the end of the week if some one asked us how our week went we might respond like this: "meh" "it was good" If someone asked you about your last week what would you have to say?  Chances are if your like me you did a ton of stuff this week, but I want you to stop and think about this... How much of it do you actually care about? How much of it really felt like living? How much of it will matter at the end of next week?

I had an opportunity to go hiking with some friends this week and it was great, God used something as simple as a small road trip to get me out of my normal routine and in to his creation to remind me that there is more to life than just getting stuff done and dealing with all of life's little problems. Sometimes we just need to stop and enjoy the little things. an unusual leaf, a tree that's fallen in just the right place to make a nice bridge, a small conversation that reminds you that you're valuable. I don't know what it will be for you but I encourage you to take some time and stop and enjoy the little things and remember you are a HumanBEING not just a Human who always has something to do.

p.s. enjoy the silly video of me and my friends hiking

When Life gives you lemons part 2 (obedience)

Not even Jesus got all of his prayers answered exactly as he wanted. Look at what Jesus says in mark 14:³⁶ “Abba,^[a] Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”


when I read this I am convicted of all the times I've complained that God wasn't doing things my way, and all the  times I didn't trust him because his will for my life was hard. When I put my life in perspective, Nothing in my life has been anywhere near as Hard as Jesus going to the Cross. Dying for sins he didn't commit for people who didn't deserve it, because it was God's will. Jesus said "if you love me you will obey my commands" well I want to have the kind of Love Jesus had for the Father.


Some things that still shake up the way I think about obedience:

• Jesus knows everything is possible for God yet he doesn't give up on God when God Choose to lead him down a difficult path instead of making life easy
• Jesus didn't Follow God's will because it was easy or even good for his immediate heath. (there's nothing Good for your health about being beaten, whipped, and hung on a cross)
• Jesus lived his whole life with out sinning knowing that God's will for him would take him to this point. Some times we think we deserve something good for our obedience and when we don't get anything good we get upset. what did Jesus get for living a perfect sinless life? He got the cross

So From now on when Life gives me Lemons I choose to Say "Father you know I don't like lemons but if it is your will that I endure them, well then bring on the Lemon's not my will but your's be done, even if it hurts, even if its not fair, even if its not what I want. I want to be more like your son. 

When life gives you lemons

When Life gives you lemons you get to choose how you react. Some people say say make Lemon-aid (however sometimes life doesn't give you water and sugar and without those lemon-aid is pretty lame) Some people say enjoy the Lemons, which works unless you hate citrus (or are allergic to it) Others get creative and make  combustible lemons like Cave Johnson (if you didn't catch the game reference, I'm sorry) 

 (Here is a picture of combustible lemons because they make me smile.)

Sometimes when Life gives us lemons, sour situations, people, events, or circumstances. Its easy to let our focus drift away From Our Father in heaven who loves us(1John4:16), who will provide for us(Genesis 22:14), and who should be our foundation, or our fortress(psalms 18:2).

Its times like these when we most need to remember what the Lord has done for us, and If all you can remember is Jesus dying on a cross for you start there, because that's huge and its always bigger than any Lemon life will throw at you. But for your sake and Mine I'll list a few ways God has Come through for me as I deal with all that He is taking me through right now

God has Shown me that Philippians 4 isn't just some nice thing to say but its actually truth, When I set my mind on God and remember that He is God, He is in control, and stick to worshiping and trusting in him rather than trying to do God's job and fix everything I find my self at peace even when life is full of problems.

 Philippians 4:⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹ Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

SO today I'll remember this as God keeps me through the troubled times

Isaiah 12:1 In that day you will say:

“I will praise you, Lord.
    Although you were angry with me,
your anger has turned away 
    and you have comforted me.
² Surely God is my salvation; 
    I will trust and not be afraid.
The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense^[a];
    he has become my salvation. ”
³ With joy you will draw water 
    from the wells of salvation.

⁴ In that day you will say:

“Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; 
    make known among the nations what he has done,
    and proclaim that his name is exalted. 
⁵ Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things; 
    let this be known to all the world.
⁶ Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion,
    for great is the Holy One of Israel among you. ”

Moving Forward (don't look back)

Ever notice How small the review mirror is in comparison to The rest of the windshield?

I'm pretty sure there is a reason for that, I'm no expert but I think its best we look forward while moving Forward. This might sound like common since but How often do we forget to do that with life. I mean our lives, only move one direction through time. Forward, yet we spend so much time looking back.

Sunday God reminded just how much I had been focused on things in the past, past hurts, past failures, and past sins. and How because I was giving so much attention to the past I was finding it hard to move forward. Here's 2 key verses God hit me with the first is From Isaiah 43: 

Isaiah 43:18 
“Forget the former things; 
    do not dwell on the past.
¹⁹ 19 See, I am doing a new thing! 
    Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness 
    and streams in the wasteland. 

The other is from Luke 9

Luke 9: ⁶¹ Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.”

⁶² Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”

Don't get caught up looking back, Some times we have good things to look back too, for example in this picture I had 2 friends in the back seat and the view over looking the valley in my rear view mirror. However if my focus was on what was behind me I wouldn't have seen the Cliff and the curve in the road ahead of me, and I would have never reached the Lake and seen an awesome new sunset. 


God wants us to be growing in him, growth means new things. Reaching new heights, new depths, going to new places in our faith and the only way to get there is to look forward. In Isaiah God says " I am doing a new think!... do you not perceive it?" Something tells me if you don't see it its not because its not happening its because your not looking in the right direction. We tend to move in the direction that we are looking so if you want to move forward in life, in your walk with God, if you want to see new growth. Keep your eyes focused on Jesus, and follow him down the road ahead.

Bless you

This morning I stumbled on to this video by Julian smith 

It reminded me of how sometimes we forget that our friends just need us bless them. Earlier this week I was reminded of how a few of my friendships have changed because we haven't found time to encourage or bless each other like we used to and now we don't even feel like friends anymore. On top of that I was reading through my High school year book from senior year, a time when I felt totally loved, and not to brag but people loved me. When I re-read some of the things people wrote I realized a couple of the reasons why I felt loved, and why people loved me.

1. I was Friendly. If you want to have friends, Be a friend. Plain and simple I the reason I had so many people who loved me was in part because I loved so many people. Sometimes we have to make the first move to love people before people will love us. Sometimes they make the first move either way if you want to keep a friendship you will have to continue to love each other.

2. I apparently gave lots of Hugs, and good hugs, according to the last page in my yearbook 3 different people mentioned Hugs and how my hugs would be missed. Which reminds me somewhere along the way I stopped hugging as much and for that I'm sorry. Its amazing how much something as simple as a hug can brighten someones day. so next time you see a friend, hug them. Don't make it awkward just give them a hug, and I bet you'll brighten there day.

3. I was sweet to people, part of being friendly is listening to people, taking time to encourage them. Sometimes people just need to know that they are loved, that they are well thought of, sometimes they just need to know that someone, anyone is thinking of them. You never know you might be the only person who says I love you to them or the only person who ask them how they are doing and then stops and takes time to hear their response.

I'm not sure How i'm doing in these 3 areas but I sure plan on working at getting better at them. I Love you all God bless you.

Friends for life

So last night after worship practice, I got a chance to hang out with some friends of mine from High school, and within five minuets of being there between all the Hugs and questions about whats going on in life, and hearing what everyone else was up to in life, I was reminded of why I loved these people so much and why we are all still part of each others lives. I mean its been over 6 years since we all went to school together but we still go out of our way to hang out and we actually still enjoy each others company. It all boils down to Love, we love each other. 

So when I showed up, late of course, everyone had already finished swimming and we were playing ping pong and then a game I hate called Banana-grams its like scrabble but its a race and me and spelling games just don't get along, Oddly enough I didn't mind so much because I was with some of my favorite people in the whole world. After that we went back to Bree's apartment where someone had left our high school year book on the counter opened to this page:

I think this best sums up our High school friendships, when I think about the ones that lasted the longest and that are still deep friends its because we lived out 1 peter 1:22 together, Through out High school we didn't just hang out we studied the bible together. We challenged each other and helped each other live out the gospel. Believe me we weren't always perfect, we fought and hurt one another at times, but at the end of the day one thing held us all together and it's that we had, and still have sincere Love for each other, we have loved deeply from the Heart and I hope we always will. 

p.s. If any of you are reading this I love you, and I am so thankful that God put each of you in my life.

Being the Black sheep

Sometimes In life you might find your self being the black sheep. If you're anything like me this might happen to your Often... I'll give you a few examples:

• Only black guy in the room, at church, at the rodeo, in boot barn, at the shooting range, at any event north of Shaw (if you don't get the last one its ok).
• The only guy not rocking the red Solo cup at a party (the only guy not drinking at a party, I went to some crazy parties in high school, but I didn't drink until the year I turned 21)
• The only black guy has has no idea where YOLO came from. (don't worry I have since learned where YOLO is from and what it means)
• being a virgin.
• never trying weed
• Being black driving a jeep while blasting country music.
• Having an Afro (in Fresno)

one thing I've learned about being the Black sheep in a group is that its ok to be different. If God wanted everyone to be the same he wouldn't have made us all Unique. God actually wants you to be you, He made some of us to be introverts, some to be extroverts, some people are tall others short. Neither one is better than the other they all have there usefulness, and reason for being just like every stroke of paint becomes part of the masterpiece. I've learned to embrace my differences for example: my Hair, while different makes me really easy to spot in a crowed and opens up conversations. The fact that I break so many stereotypes has always been a good thing. It reminds me and others that you don't have to be what society expects you to be. I hope and pray that you can all learn to accept that you were made to different from everyone else around you and thats great a great thing. You are part of God's art work and he does good work. 

So today I hope you'll join with me and telling God

 "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

    your works are wonderful, 
    I know that full well." (psalm 139:14)

Everybody hurts sometime

Sometimes living life in this broken world feels pretty lame. There's been a whole lot of hurt going around in this world we live in for me and people I care about. If your like me you try and take safety precautions and guard your self and your heart, and things still come out of left field and do some damage and leave you with some nice scars. Recent examples in my life include the end of a relationship, a surprise flat tire leading to a motorcycle accident, an Uncle having heart surgery, a cousin having an accident breaking their neck, on top of the normal stress of, family, college, ministry, and trying to be a good friend and brother in Christ to everyone else whose lives are every bit as impacted by this crazy world we live in as mine is.

So what do I do with a crazy broken world like that. I honestly don't have all the answers but I'll share with you what has worked for me. I turn to Jesus because He is able to understand what its like to be hurt and to be feel forsaken (Matthew 27) and to weep (John 11) He is able to  able to empathize with our weaknesses (Hebrews 4:15)

-what do I do when things seem hopeless, I hope even against hopeless situations (Romans 4:18-19)
-what do I do when I don't know what to pray for or how to pray. I pray knowing the Spirit Helps us in our weakness (Romans 8:26)
-What do I do when we don't see God because there is to much stuff going on around me trying to distract me. I walk by faith not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7)
-What do I do when I am heart broken and don't feel love? I choose to love and rejoice with the truth, I choose to  trust God's word and trust in the love he has shown us. God works things for the good of those who love him, and he gave up his one and only son for us because He loves us and his love is real love, a 1st Corinthians 13 kind of real love, love that isn't self seeking, a love that always protects, always trust, always hopes, always preservers. A love that nothing in all creation can separate us from. (Romans 8:28-38 and 1 Corinthians 13)

p.s. I appreciate your prayers. and I'm praying that everyone who reads this is blessed, comforted at least a little bit, and that it might help you see God's love for you and that if you are dealing with hurt you aren't alone. If you want prayer for anything specific send me a message I'd love to pray for you. God bless

Jesus has Compassion for all y'all, and can use anyone

Some quick notes on John 6:1-15 and Matthew 14:13-20 1. Jesus has compassion on people, even when trying to get away and get some alone time he stops when he sees a crowd and heals their sick then uses his disciples and some young boy to preform a miracl and he feeds 5000 men not to mention all the women and children that were there. It's crazy to think Jesus always has time for you he's never to busy to see you where you are at and to help you. 2. No gift or offering is to small to be used for great things Jesus took 5 small (that's small not large) loaves of bread and 2 fish and feed atleast 5000 men. Don't ever think what you have isn't good enough for God to use. God Conseatantly uses the least of these tho humble the "greatest" and normal things to show his power. Examples: a staff in Moses' hand to free a nation from slavery(exodus), a young boy with a sling shot and 5 stones to kill a giant(1 Samuel 17), the guy who test the kings drinks for poison with a simple request to rebuild a city(Nehemiah), a crazy guy building a boat in the desert to save the human race (Noah genesis 6-9),12 nobodies to change the whole world(acts till now), and one boy with a few loaves of bread and some fish to feed 5000. 3. When Jesus highlights a problem for you don't worry he's already aware of the solution. Jesus is always on top of things. "When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, "Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?" He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. (John 6:5, 6 NIV)"

John 1:1-18 God Became a man to give us the Rights to be Children of God

Check out John 1:1-18

Jesus came to give everyone, all of us, the addicts, the Rebels, the God haters, the atheist, the polytheist, the agnostic, the hypocritical, and the prideful religious folks (yes, prideful religious folks need Grace just like everyone else in this list) the "Sinners" the Right to be a Child of God. Its crazy to think That Jesus left heaven for people like me and you to give us the RIGHT to the inheritance that Jesus alone is worth to have. We have the Right to be called God's child but we have to believe it, we have to believe Him, we have to Trust that Jesus is who he said He is and that Jesus doing what he came to earth to do was actually enough to give us the Right to be forgiven and reborn into God's family. 


We have the Right to be God's children its kinda like having the right to vote. all american citizens over 18 have the right to vote, but if you don't believe your vote matters, if you don't believe your "right" matters you'll sit at home and let election day roll by and then your vote won't matter because you didn't do anything with the "right" that you had been given.


I just want you all to know the Invitation is out there for everyone. everyone is welcome to come we just have to Believe in Jesus and step out in to the light (see: John 3:1-21) and we Have to go through Jesus there is no other way  In John 14 Jesus keeps it really simple "⁶ Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 




I know some might say but its not fair that we have to believe in Jesus or why is Jesus the only way. Let me put it in a different light. If I said there was a party happening on a second floor apartment and there was only one door to the party and the only way to get in was to go through the front door. would people question it? probably not. If you were standing out side the party and the person living in the house walked out side and came down the stairs to invite you in would you ask him why you cant take the back door? probably not. would you question it if he told you that is apartment only had one way in. and that the windows weren't an option? no you'd got through the front door like a normal person. Well the Truth is that Jesus came down from heaven and He knows where the front door is and he's told us we just have to believe Him.

Get some! (wisdom)

Proverbs 4

Get Wisdom at Any Cost

 ¹ Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; 
   pay attention and gain understanding. 
² I give you sound learning, 
   so do not forsake my teaching. 
³ For I too was a son to my father, 
   still tender, and cherished by my mother. 
⁴ Then he taught me, and he said to me, 
   “Take hold of my words with all your heart; 
   keep my commands, and you will live. 
⁵ Get wisdom, get understanding; 
   do not forget my words or turn away from them. 
⁶ Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; 
   love her, and she will watch over you. 
⁷ The beginning of wisdom is this: Get^[a] wisdom. 
   Though it cost all you have,^[b] get understanding. 
⁸ Cherish her, and she will exalt you; 
   embrace her, and she will honor you. 
⁹ She will give you a garland to grace your head 
   and present you with a glorious crown.”


Seriously Go get some, gaining wisdom and understanding is worth the cost. To gain it you'll have to go through things. You might have to open a book, you might have to take some time and listen to some podcast, you may have to pay for those things or take some time to listen to someone who knows more than you humbly let them teach you. I say that for Three reasons:


One: I've had to do that, spent some money on books then took the time to read them, took time to listen to at least one podcast on my to and from School (I drive a lot) and Humbled my self to listen to people who've done the things i'm hoping to do better and honestly I've been blessed by those times. And I've realized I wouldn't know 80% of what I know if I didn't take the time and effort to go and get some wisdom


Two: God that it was important enough to write it down and If the wisest being in all existence thinks gaining wisdom and understanding is worth the cost even if you have to give all you have. Then I'm inclined to think its a good idea. 


Three: there are blessings that come with Having wisdom and Understanding. If you want to walk rightly with God and people around you, then get some Wisdom. If you want to be able to Help others your going to need some understanding. People who have both wisdom and understanding usually end up living Lives that are worth Living. (here are some examples: Jesus, Martin Luther King Jr, Martin Luther the reformer, Paul formerly known as Saul,  Some modern examples Perry Noble the guy who's podcast help inspire me to think about this, Francis Chan, Brennan Manning, all of these men Had some wisdom and had an impact on the world around them.)

I can't get over How great an artist God is

I finally got a chance to get out of town this weekend with a few friends to visit the beach, and I was and still am amazed at how great of an artist God is and how gracious he is to a knucklehead like me to let me see His handiwork like he did today. I saw a post on Twitter this morning by my friend TayFin that reminded me that God's grace touches everything and as we sat staring at the beach, listening to the waves or being blown away by the sunset, it hit me. It was God's grace in action letting me see that. God freely gave us eyes to see this beautiful world live in, that we didn't deserve and couldn't earn if we tried. any ways enough Rambling Here are some Pictures from today and If nothing else remember that God loves you enough to let you see a glimpse of his glory through his creation.

Psalm 19: 1-5

The heavens declare the glory of God; 

 the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 
Day after day they pour forth speech; 

  night after night they reveal knowledge. 

They have no speech, they use no words; 

   no sound is heard from them. 

 Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, 

   their words to the ends of the world. 

In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun. 

It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, 

 like a champion rejoicing to run his course. 

Nehemiah 9:6 "You alone are the LORD. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you"

"Lord I was not there when you Created the Heaven's I wont pretend to understand How you made everything out of Nothing or How you spoke Stars in to existence But I will sit in awe of your power, and Majesty and admire the beauty in the works of your hand Thank you lord for sharing your beauty with Me. Amen"  -L.J.