Revival

I praise God, because the Holy Spirit works in us to conform to the image of God.

Last week was possibly the most difficult, depressing week Ive had. But counsel rings true, I was having a hard time starting dvotions, and i was not talking with God and spending time with him.

As a result, depression, self-relience, pain, frustration and discouragment settled.

I never want that feeling, that experience, to happen again.

God is always there to be found. He waits to share blessings and treasures with you as you begin to search for him again.

This past Sabbath was a blessing, among difficulty and depression from the week, Sabbath revived my heart towards Jesus.

I was reminded of the importance of the canvassing work, and to what purpose it serves in spreading the gospel.

Though a seperated myself from the Lord through my self sufficiency, I am happy as ever to be back and once again cast my cares upon him.

One care I had was imediately taken care of, and relief was brought to my heart. And yet another soon after.

Even after all the knowledge and experience with God and knowing how much he has done for me, I selfishly hoarded my time. But even after denying him, with full knowledge of what may come, He still greatly recieved me back to him with blessings waiting in the doorway as soon as I opened it.

God is good.

I beg you, if you ar reading this, and the Holy Spirit has put a burden on your heart to give more time to God, or just to focus on him more. Pray, seek, and God will recieve you and wash you, he did me, and my sins were great, many that would be repulsive to all. Purposely giving my heart into the hands of the Satan, yet when I turned to Jesus he shelterd me from the self inflicted storm.

Praise God.

This week will be a blessing, pray for me, pray for us who are laboring for souls.

Even a great destructive storm gives life giving rain to those looking to grow.

Blessings, keep burning for God.

Life, Now

So its about 2 AM in the morning. In 12 hours Ill be at an airport to go to Michigan, and In less time than that I will hopefully see my new born niece, because my sister is in labor right now... As I type.

The strange circumstances that stem from such events, like a new life be born, or my lack of sleep, or my excitement for the environmental change from my home to the canvassing work, have spurred this little thought blending post I'm currently typing.

These past two weeks have been exactly about what I hoped they wouldn't be.

On the outside, its been a grand ole time. I got to preach, a wonderful God given message this past Sabbath. I learned so much about God through watching sermons. Even did some climbing and exploring with a friend, had some mini adventures. 

On the inside, Its been a power struggle. The fear I had expressed about my going home has definitely rooted itself. I've faced and failed so much spiritual warfare these past weeks, and sunk so low. Even at the point of wanting to forsake everything God had for me, even now I feel as if my failures have somehow made me unworthy of all the blessing I see God wants to bestow upon me in the future. 

So many things plaguing me. The thoughts of unworthiness, the contemplations of turning my back, giving up. My biggest struggle revolves around my self worth. On one hand, I am prideful, I am confident in somethings, and beat myself up because I know I shouldn't be so proud. And on the other I see certain people, as so much better than me, and me like some sort of annoyance or disease on others, thinking to myself, certain people would be better having not ever known me. But again I know to that I am not that worthless Im worth something. at least I think I am... Right?

But I know were all this difficulty and insecurity comes from. I've been in spiritual darkness, which carries over to darken many other aspects of life.

I need more light.

And I praise GOD! because just like the crazed demon possessed men off the shores of Galilee, I too see the Savior. I will be saved from this pit of despair, and have been thankfully provided with away to share sufferings and true life with Jesus through sharing on Gospel during canvassing.

I cant wait to start. Canvassing is a life giving experience. I have been starving of life because I have not been giving life to others.

 Without giving, there is no love, and no love means, no life, and death will seem preferable to life.

So I hope, that if you reading this feel a deadness in yourself, start giving, and shine light in your darkness. 

Disclaimer: If that made any sense, praise the Lord. Like usual I am not rereading this post, so I hope its not confusing, cause Its late, and my head is throwing a bunch of stuff around.

The Little (Big) things

So I arrived home to stay for a couple weeks. After returning from a run my father told me that there was some sort of waterfall that the neighbors saw down where I went to run.

Obviously that spiked my interest, being the explorer and appreciator of nature by heart.

I went searching for it this past Sabbath and did it surprise me.

I live in the back country of Bauxite, Ar and there is nothing that exciting out here, until I found this little gem :)

I preceded to go take a little hike to visit the area three consecutive days, and took my friend Jesse along too.

Its pretty pretty.

 On our way to find the waterfall

 Needless to say, we had to walk through water a lot

 Thats Jesse, he carried his camera and tripod. He took some great pics too

 It was a little hot outside, but thats not a big problem, it was an all around good  couple days.

 This is the "water"fall, with no water, but as we found out, there is a amazing little cave in the wall!

 I walked inside the cave, it was really cool, temperature wise and aesthetically too lol

 Much larger than I expected, the camera just can't do it justice.

 Enough room to stand, and had a little stream, which of course, I totally drank from, tasted good.

 Jesse, he spent a lot of time surveying for good photo opportunities.

 These pics were with my phone, You can see the cave entrance in the bottom left

 View into the cave from right outside

 I dont have much to say about this pic, exept that having a friend to share experiences with makes them much better.

 Back to my camera shots, This was the fancy ceiling .

And this was the mine right near there, looks like a mini canyon.

So all in all, the couple days where fun, lots of picture, lots of pressing buttons on a camera I couldn't figure out, but had a great time, and I praise God that he has such beautiful gifts in nature.

Eventually

This interesting event happens over and over again, I can't seem to avoid it.

To set the area, I was with my friend last night and we were talking.... Well I was talking really. But essentially there was sort of a conversation. This conversation was about life.

And EVENTUALLY it got to this event, this unavoidable question...

Why are we here? Why does existence exist?

The ancient question of all, the paramount inquiry, What is the meaning of Life?

After many minutes of feeling like a philosopher, this question emerged. Why? I don't know really, but I do know that I feel it needs an answer, and I am not one to be able to ignore my curiosity.

 But as a believer and follower of the Living Creator God, one scripture came to mind from a sermon related to this topic.

And this is life eternal, that they might know thee, thee only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent. John 17:3 KJV

There it is. A very simple but complicated answer.

After reading this verse, if you are not satisfied with the answer, please pray, then allow me to guide you through what God has shown me.

First of all, this isn't just to answer the question of what is life on earth, but Eternal Life, the here and after. This is the answer to the question, What "might" I be doing for eternity?

Getting to know God.

If getting to know Him doesn't sit well with you as a purpose in life. Just give it a try.

By beholding we become changed, and its a human desire to become a "better" person, having kindness, and love. This is also the desire of our creator, and this is our purpose.

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. (I John 3:2 [KJV]

All to long in my life, I have tried and tried to be like others, and along the way reflect positive characteristics in those I chose to "behold."

Whats crazy is, this desire cannot and will not be fulfilled if I continue to behold what man can do, because man cannot out of himself become better, but that that's the beauty of Jesus. He proved, by divine power we can "be like him" but only if we "see him as he is."

Number 1

I suppose my first blog ever should start with an explanation to anyone who knows me, consisting of why i would do such an outlandish thing as to get involved in social media.

Well as always It makes sense in my head, though there is nothing inherently wrong with social media, there is very little right with it, that's why I "preach" against it so oft.

So why am I using it?

God has used me, and will use me. And if I can bring glory to God and avoid bringing glory to myself, this "can" be a powerful tool.

So here I am, sitting in my kitchen, having been inspired by a friends blog, to write my thoughts and experiences down for others to absorb.

My next question is... Where to start?