Ahhhh The Long Awaited Gautemala Post....

Ahh, its the long anticipated response to my trip to Gautemala- The reason it has taken me so long to collect my thoughts is because it is so hard to describe what God did through us, and in my own personal life on our trip. I still struggle to put the things I saw, and the things God did into words. There are some things that just can't be described. It was an incredible trip; God did some unbelievable things; and I saw some things I didn't even know existed in this world. There are some things you just have to see.

There were two things that really spoke to me- one was the night with the homeless on Thursday night, and the time we spent at the national cemetary overlooking the City Dump.

First of all, the night with the homeless- what an incredible opportunity to share the love of Christ with the broken, who so desperatly need to be loved. I had the opportunity to share the Gospel with the whole group-- it was an experience. I have never shared through an interperter, or to a bunch of people who were high on glue. However, I have never felt the Spirit of God more. He was so alive in the midst of the junk these people live through. I know 100% that God was in the midst of these men as they were loved as Christ loved them.

Second of all, the city dump- We drove into the Guatemala City cemetary which was a scene in itself- these people create temples for their family memebers who have passed away- one resemebles a tomb in Egypt! However, as we made our way to the edge of the cliff that the cememtary sits on...we looked over the edge and witnessed the most unbelievable thing I have ever seen in my life. As we looked over down into the city dump, we saw a community where 11,000 people call home. 11,000 people call most of the cities trash, their home. They work there, they look for trash they can grab and re-sell. They raise their families there- you hear the boys saying "I want to grow up and be like my daddy who is a scavenger." There biggest aspirations is to grow up and live in the city dump. It was insane. I saw Jesus down there though. I saw people who are loved by our creator, searching for their Savior. I knew, as I stood far up high on a mountain, and looked over- that if my Jesus were there, He would be in the midst of all those lost souls. It was incredible. I saw people store up their trash to watch bulldozers come by and knock it over and clear it out. Everything they had worked for all day, gone in an instant. It was incredible. But through it all, I saw Jesus.

As I was on my way home, I was listening to the new Leeland CD, "Love is on the Move" and the second song is called Follow You. The lyrics sum up my trip:

You lived among the least of these
The weary and the weak
And it would be a tragedy for me to turn away.

All my needs you have supplied.
When I was dead you gave me life.
How could I not give it away so freely?

And i'll follow you into the homes that are broken.
Follow you into the world.
Meet the needs for the poor and the needy God.
Follow you into the World.

Use my hands, use my feet
To make your kingdom come
Through the corners of the earth
Until your work is done
'cause Faith without works is dead
And on the cross your blood was shed
So how could I not give it away so freely?

And i'll follow you into the homes that are broken.
Follow you into the world.
Meet the needs for the poor and the needy God.
Follow you into the World.
(x2)

I give all myself.
I give all myself
I give all myself?.to you.

And I give all myself.
Yes, I give all myself.
And I give all myself?.to you.

And i'll follow you into the homes that are broken
Follow you into the world.
Meet the needs for the poor and the needy God.
Follow you into the World.

:) What an amazing Song. My Jesus, I will follow you wherever you call.

Will you follow Him?

Love yall,
Toes :)

Test!

Trying this out from my phone...working? Hope so!

Numbers 13- Will you love God more tomorrow than today?

This is where we are seeing the leaders of Israel take off and begin to spy out the land of Canaan to see what was going to be given to them.  They scouted for 40 days, and in Numbers 13:25, we see this: 

"²⁵ At the end of forty days they returned from exploring the land.

Report on the Exploration

 ²⁶ They came back to Moses and Aaron and the whole Israelite community at Kadesh in the Desert of Paran. There they reported to them and to the whole assembly and showed them the fruit of the land. ²⁷ They gave Moses this account: "We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit. ²⁸ But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large. We even saw descendants of Anak there. ²⁹ The Amalekites live in the Negev; the Hittites, Jebusites and Amorites live in the hill country; and the Canaanites live near the sea and along the Jordan."

 ³⁰ Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, "We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it."

 ³¹ But the men who had gone up with him said, "We can't attack those people; they are stronger than we are." ³²And they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land they had explored. They said, "The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size. ³³ We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them."

So these spies come back, and there are two of them that say "we can do this. Let's go." Joshua and Caleb, but the other 10 look around and say, wow these guys are huge. We cannot take them- lets be responsible, we cannot win this thing.  And all of the people followed these 10.  So everyone is discouraged, everyone stopped believing, and in chapter 14 God responds in verse 26. 

"The LORD said to Moses and Aaron: ²⁷ "How long will this wicked community grumble against me? I have heard the complaints of these grumbling Israelites. ²⁸ So tell them, 'As surely as I live, declares the LORD, I will do to you the very things I heard you say: ²⁹ In this desert your bodies will fall—every one of you twenty years old or more who was counted in the census and who has grumbled against me. ³⁰ Not one of you will enter the land I swore with uplifted hand to make your home, except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun. ³¹ As for your children that you said would be taken as plunder, I will bring them in to enjoy the land you have rejected. ³² But you—your bodies will fall in this desert. ³³ Your children will be shepherds here for forty years, suffering for your unfaithfulness, until the last of your bodies lies in the desert. ³⁴ For forty years—one year for each of the forty days you explored the land—you will suffer for your sins and know what it is like to have me against you.' ³⁵ I, the LORD, have spoken, and I will surely do these things to this whole wicked community, which has banded together against me. They will meet their end in this desert; here they will die.So the men Moses had sent to explore the land, who returned and made the whole community grumble against him by spreading a bad report about it- ³⁷ these men responsible for spreading the bad report about the land were struck down and died of a plague before the LORD. ³⁸ Of the men who went to explore the land, only Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh survived."

Clearly, the Lord was not pleased. He has never been pleased with us who are cowards. He has never been pleased with people who believe He can't do what He says He can.  

As you read this story, my question to you is, who are you? Are you one of the 10? or Are you Joshua or Caleb? Are one who believes God is so mighty and you are 100% confident that He can do anything He says? Or do you often find yourself struggling to believe in the power of God? Remember when you first accepted Christ, and you knew how powerful God was.  You knew that God was so big, He could do anything.  You were so confident that God could use you.  You were Joshua, you were Caleb.  However, as you've gotten older, and more mature, you've become one of the 10.  You've lost hope. You've become more logical, and less spiritual.  You've become comfortable.  You've become calm, mellow about your faith.  But I believe scripture calls us to be bold, to be courageous, to be INSANE about the Gospel.  I believe too much is at stake for us to be calm, and be scared.  Ya see, my favorite part about this story is that it doesn't end in Numbers. My favorite part comes 45 years later...in Joshua 14. 45 years later and Caleb is still alive just like God said. 

"⁷ I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh Barnea to explore the land. And I brought him back a report according to my convictions, ⁸ but my brothers who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt with fear. I, however, followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly. ⁹ So on that day Moses swore to me, 'The land on which your feet have walked will be your inheritance and that of your children forever, because you have followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly.' ^{a]" style="font-size: 0.75em; line-height: 0.5em; ">[a]}

 ¹⁰ "Now then, just as the LORD promised, he has kept me alive for forty-five years since the time he said this to Moses, while Israel moved about in the desert. So here I am today, eighty-five years old! ¹¹ I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I'm just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. ¹² Now give me this hill country that the LORD promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the LORD helping me, I will drive them out just as he said."

How amazing is that? This man is 85 years old, and he is more passionate about the Lord today than when he was 40.  He is just as strong, if not stronger than when he is 40.  He stands on the PROMISE of God. It's never been about us. It's always about the PROMISE of God. He will always be with us.  He will always lead us. I want to be one of the two.  I want to be the 85 year old who believes, and loves God more then than now.  I want to be closer to Christ then than now. 

Where are you? Will you love God more when you're 85 than you do today? I hope and pray you do! 

Be Blessed,

Toe's

One life to live.

Today was a crazy day, but I wouldn't have spent it doing anything else.  A wise man once told me, "I've got one life to live, and I'm going to give it all to God." 

The simplicity of that statement amazes me.  It is so simple, yet so life changing.  We do only have one life to live.  For some of us, we are extremely lucky to literally get a second chance at life, but most of us have one life to live, and one life to give.  Ya see, I feel like we get so caught up in the day to day drag of everyday life that we forget to focus on the things in life that truly matter.  We almost treat each day as a "trial run" of life, and then when it starts to count, then I'll start to give everything to God, but for now- I am too busy...how many have said that? We say, for now, I'm going to do it my way...and eventually we will get around to God's way.  

I want to encourage you, as you read this, remember, no one is promised tomorrow, no one is promised their next breath, and so do not take it for granted! Remember, we truly do only have ONE life to live...and ONE life to give to God. What is holding you back from giving everything you have to God? The Bible says in John 10:10, "the Devil comes to steal, kill, and destroy. Jesus says, "I have come to give YOU LIFE, and life to the FULL."  Jesus wants you to take the one life you have been given and return it back to Him as an offering to Him, and He promises us that in return, He will give us life to the FULL.  It's the promise of God. 

The next breath you are about to take is sacred, treat it that way.  The next day you are about to live is precious, treat it that way.  The ONLY life you have is precious and sacred, treat it that way. Praying for you. 

Be Blessed,

Toe's 

Wherever He leads...I'll Go!

Today is a strange day...but I know God is in total control- This past weekend we took 11 junior high students to CIY'S Believe Conference in Anderson. It was amazing- God showed up and in the lives of many- One of the songs that they sang, I had never heard before, and it hit me right where I am. Isn't it awesome how God always seems to meet us right where we are at! I wanted to share the song, and lyrics with you because they are so powerful. The Song is Wherever He Leads...

"Take up thy cross and follow Me," I heard my Master say;"I gave My life to ransom thee, Surrender your all today."Wherever He leads I'll go, Wherever He leads I'll go,I'll follow my Christ who loves me so, Wherever He leads I'll go.He drew me closer to His side, I sought His will to know,And in that will I now abide, Wherever He leads I'll go.Wherever He leads I'll go, Wherever He leads I'll go,I'll follow my Christ who loves me so, Wherever He leads I'll go.It may be thru' the shadows dim, Or o'er the stormy sea,I take my cross and follow Him, Wherever He leadeth me.Wherever He leads I'll go, Wherever He leads I'll go,I'll follow my Christ who loves me so, Wherever He leads I'll go.My heart, my life, my all I bring To Christ who loves me so;he is my Master, Lord, and King, Wherever He leads I'll go.Wherever He leads I'll go, Wherever He leads I'll go,I'll follow my Christ who loves me so, Wherever He leads I'll go.

They added a bridge to the song that says, "Take up my cross and follow Me"

Will you take up HIS cross today?

Be Blessed,
Toe's

God is so good.

It is such a simple sentence with magnitudes of power.  God is so good. How often have you said that just because it was the "nice, or right" thing to say.  What a sentence that unfortinately, we, as His children throw around like its no big deal.  But the truth of that statement holds an unbelievable amount of power and truth.  

I am probably going through one of the hardest things I have ever faced in my life and it has never hit me more at how good God is.  He gives us strength that we do not deserve.  In our biggest hurts, Christ shows up the most.  In our biggest fears, Christ shows up the most.  A song that has really hit me lately is by Chris Tomlin, it is called "This is Our God" check out these lyrics... 

This is the One we have waited for
This is the One we have waited for
This is the One we have waited for
Oh mmm this is our God

A refuge for the poor
A shelter from the storm
This is our God
He will wipe away your tears
And return your wasted years
This is our God
Oh mmm this is our God
Oh mmm this is our God

A Father to the orphan
A healer to the broken
This is our God
He brings peace to our madness
And comfort in our sadness
This is our God
Oh mmm this is our God
Oh mmm this is our God

A fountain for the thirsty
A lover for the lonely
This our God
He brings glory to the humble
And crowns for the faithful
This is our God
Oh mmm this is our God
Oh mmm this is our God

THIS IS OUR GOD. WHAT A GOOD GOD HE IS!! :) Praying for you. 

Be Blessed,

Toe's 

Passion Week...

This week, in the church is more formally known as Holy Week. However, recently I heard something that made so much more sense to me and that was "Passion Week." It's not that I do not believe this week isn't Holy, it is just that I believe that this week was all about the Passion Jesus had for us. Ya know, we as followers of Jesus, want others to characterize us as passionate. Well during this week, we see an amazing example of Jesus' passion for us. This week is characterized by a few major events, if you do not already know this. Maundy Thursday is the night before Jesus' crucifixion, and He provides the Last Supper for His disciples. Obviously, on Friday, Jesus carries His cross and is crucified and three days later, He defeated the grave and rose into His rightful place in Heaven.

Now these events are all good and well, but do you really understand the passion that Jesus showed for us through these events? Jesus did not want to lose all of His friends, He did not want to be beaten and bruised. He did not want to be crucified. I mean really, who would want to be crucified? This was an amazingly hard time at the end of His life, however He knew it was the will of His father. The tricky part in all of this is we often miscontrue this and believe Jesus was only thinking of God and Himself. Y'all, if He was thinking of Himself, He would have taken Himself out of all this pain before it even started. He was 100% divine, He could have gotten Himself out of this, and logically, if it was one of us, that is probably what we have done. Indeed, He was thinking of His father, and God's will, but it is clear, in all of this Jesu's passion for US came through. HE THOUGHT OF YOU.

Let me ask you this, when you go through a tough time, when you have to ENDURE something, who do you think of? Do you think of yourself? Do you think of God? Usually we think, aw crap, why is this happening to me? Where are you in this God? Some of us might even curse God, turn away, forget Him. Let me share with you a verse that describes how Jesus felt during this Passion Week...and especially on Passion Friday...

Hebrews 12:2 says, Hebrews 12:2 “ Fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him ENDURED the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Okay, so follow me here...Jesus ENDURED...he didn't enjoy the pain or the crucifixion, obviously, who would? He despised the shame. This was not an easy situation for Jesus!! He was in a really tough spot, and what we need to remember is that HE THOUGHT OF US.

And then what a glorious thing to know the power of the Resurrection of Jesus CHrist!! Without the resurrection, the cross is dead but thanks be to GOD for the SAVING power through the RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST!!!

This is an amazing weekend of events in the life of our Savior...events that radically transformed time, and our life. As you attend services this upcoming weekend remember that this week was about how passionate Jesus is about YOU. :)

Be Blessed,
Toes

The Iniquity of Us All

I was feeling a bit burdened by my sin as I was reading the Word tonight and thinking of how often I let down my Savior, and every time I feel that way it is quickly the Lord who encourages me through His Word. We truly serve a God who meets us directly where we are at! I love this passage in Isaiah where he writes...

Isaiah 53:5-6 (New International Version)

5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed.

6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to his own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.

There is so much truth and good stuff in this scripture! It presents the beauty of what Christ did for us in a way that is redeeming!! It just really captures what Christ did for us, HIs children. Think about these words in the way we use them today- first the word pierce: we use that to describe something painful, for example if there was a piercing noise- it is a painfully scratchy or screechy noise! Or we say, "he pierced her ears" which describes the event of puncturing or creating a hole in the flesh which is exactly what happened to Christ! He had painfully taken punishment for our transgressions!! The second word- crushed: we say crushed if someone got dominated in athletics, or crushed if something got trampled on or something...once again the punishment Christ took upon Himself for us was to be crushed for our sin, for our iniquities. WoW.

Then it continues to say the punishment that brought US peace was upon Him, He provided peace for us by taking our punishment that we rightfully deserve and because of HIS wounds, his scars, his bruises....WE ARE HEALED!!!!

Verse 6 is great as well! It reinforces the first part of verse 5, but first it makes it very clear to us that we ALL, like sheep, have gone astray meaning we have strayed from the way of Christ into our own perverse lifestyles...each of us has turned to our own way forgetting Christ, and God says...the Lord has laid upon Him, the iniquity of us all...He has laid upon Himself the punishment we deserve, the sin we commit is deserving of death, but because of Christ, we are forgiven and receive by the Grace of God eternal life!!!

What a great God we serve, what an encouraging verse, what a beautiful picture of Salvation!!! Praise the Lord!!

Be Blessed,
Toes

The Motions...

I do not want to live my life going through the motions wondering what If I had given everything! I want to live everyday, giving everything I have for the Lord. There is a new song out by Matthew West, and it is called "The Motions," and I want to post the lyrics, and challenge you to truly think about them. Enjoy!

This might hurt, it's not safe
But I know that I've gotta make a change
I don't care if I break,
At least I'll be feeling something
'Cause just okay is not enough
Help me fight through the nothingness of life

I don't wanna go through the motions
I don't wanna go one more day
without Your all consuming passion inside of me
I don't wanna spend my whole life asking,
"What if I had given everything,
instead of going through the motions?"

No regrets, not this time
I'm gonna let my heart defeat my mind
Let Your love make me whole
I think I'm finally feeling something
'Cause just okay is not enough
Help me fight through the nothingness of this life

'Cause I don't wanna go through the motions
I don't wanna go one more day
without Your all consuming passion inside of me
I don't wanna spend my whole life asking,
"What if I had given everything,
instead of going through the motions?"

take me all the way (take me all the way)
take me all the way ('cause I don't wanna go through the motions)
take me all the way (I know I'm finally feeling something real)
take me all the way

I don't wanna go through the motions
I don't wanna go one more day
without Your all consuming passion inside of me
I don't wanna spend my whole life asking,
"What if I had given everything,
instead of going through the motions?"

I don't wanna go through the motions
I don't wanna go one more day
without Your all consuming passion inside of me
I don't wanna spend my whole life asking,
"What if I had given everything,
instead of going through the motions?"

take me all the way (take me all the way)
take me all the way (I don't wanna go, I don't wanna go)
take me all the way (through the motions)
take me all the way

I don't wanna go through the motions

Consider Jacob...

God really placed the story of Jacob and Rachel on my heart this morning as I got into my office, and almost felt like burdened today to do work, to love God. I know it is a sinful thought to feel burdened to love God, but sometimes in full time ministry, you get so worked up, it turns into a job, in stead of a passion, and for a few brief moments it was that for me this morning. However, as I opened my devotionals, and my Word, God quickly changed that.

He pointed me to Genesis where it talks about Jacob, and his desperate love for Rachel. He would do anything to have her hand in marriage and he worked for 7 years straight, but the Word tells us to Jacob, those years seemed like a few days. You remember the first time you fell in love with your spouse, it is a joyful time you would do anything for him or her, and it did not matter how long it would take. I would encourage you to consider the attitude of Jacob with your spouse daily, as well as your children!

The most important to love the way Jacob loved Rachel is Jesus!! It is not a burden to do ministry, it is not a burden to love God!! IT is a blessing!!! It is a complete Joy to be in a relationship with the REAL, LOVING GOD who showed His love for us on the cross some 2000 years ago!! Do not treat God as something that takes up your time, ENJOY LOVING THE LORD every second of everyday!!!

His yoke is Easy, and His Burden is light. Take this truth with you today- Love God as Jacob Loved Rachel. Desire God as Jacob Desired Rachel...so much so that He would do anything joyfully for her...go today, and do everything joyfully for Him!!! Praying for you!

Be Blessed,
Toe's

A Truck...

I was sitting in church Saturday night and the preacher began to give the message on this idea of evanglism, and inviting people to know Christ. He showed a video that is the best argument I have ever heard for sharing the Gospel...however there is something extremely ironic about the video.

I am unsure if you have heard of Penn and Tellar, they are illusionists who perform in Vegas nightly. Once you see Penn on the video, I am sure you will know who he is- He is a world reknown ATHEIEST and in this video, he gives the best argument for sharing the Gospel I have ever heard, and it comes from an atheist. Please, before you read anymore, stop, and go watch this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JHS8adO3hM

Are you as amazing as I was after watching that video? Now, I know he says he is a professed atheist, and HE KNOWS there is no God, however, I can tell, by watching that video, God is working on his heart. I would encourage you to pray for him daily. However, that is not the best thing about the video- what great points he makes in regards to sharing the Gospel!!

I mean if we are 100% sure that there is a Heaven, and a Hell, yet we do not tell anyone...it doesn't make sense!! I love the quote, "How much do you have to hate someone to know that they are heading to hell, and not tell them about the love of Jesus and eternal live in heaven!!" I mean I love that truck analogy...I mean if a truck is bearing down on a person, and you've been telling them and telling them but they're not listening, it gets to a point when you just TACKLE them so they don't get hit by a truck...and this is wayy more important than that. This is the difference between eternal paradise, and eternal damnation!! What a plea for sharing the Gospel!!

My challenge to you, who do you need to share the Gospel with, or TACKLE? Has it got to that point with someone yet? Pray about it. Love you guys.

Be Blessed,
Toe's

Books...

To be real honest with you, when I started this blog, I had hopes of writing everyday, but when it comes down to it- I just get too busy. Unfortinately that is a trait I would like to work on, and take the time to relax, and process what is in my head. Honestly, I am not sure if anyone ever reads what I write, however I still continue to. Why? Because this is a blessing to me to be able to put my thoughts down on paper, or computer if you will, and pray that it might touch someone's life through the power of the Holy Spirit.

I was never much of a reader until about 6 months ago, and I think I've read more books in the last 6 months than I've read in my entire life. I have found a new found love in learning from wise people who have put their thoughts on paper for us! I wanted to share some of the books with you and encourage you to read them!

The first book I read about 6 months ago is a book that confirmed the way God has put it on my heart to do youth ministry- minister to the few in order to reach the masses! The book is "Tally Ho! The Fox" by Herb Hodges and it is all about having a world impacting world visionary view of discipleship!!

The next book I read was by Rob Bell, and it was Jesus Wants to Save the Christians. This is an easy, fast read. I would recommend it just to get some point of where Rob Bell is coming from. I necessarily do not agree with everything he writes, but he does have a lot of solid Biblical theology in this book. It is a great book for a beginning follower trying to learn the importance of conservative theology.

The next book I read was "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan. This book is one of the best books I've ever read, and based on what I said earlier about how much I read, I'm sure that holds high meaning in your life! ha! This book is all about the overwhelming love that Christ shows us! How eternal and relentless His love truly is! This is a quick read, but it is so challenging, as well as encouraging!! READ IT!

The last book I just finished was Charles Colson's new book, "The Faith." This book was so intellectual and deep, however the theology in this book was unbelievable. It was so good. It was so awesome to read about his experiences through his prison fellowship ministry and how he truly connects people who are at the lowest of lows with the living God! But it is centralled around what we believe, why we believe it and why it matters. Truth matters, Absolute truth matters, doctrine matters, and this book explains why- READ IT!!

The book I am currently reading, and just started is, "Why We're Not Emergent by Two Guys who probably should be!" I just started this book today but have heard excellent things about this book. I will surely inform you more as I read it, and probably end up writing quite a bit about it- I am not emergent. I am young, passionate about Jesus, surrounded by diversity, reared in evangelism, yet I am not emergent,and never desire to be so.

I hope you will read some of these books! I have learned so much from them, and I do intend to write more frequently- sorry for my absence in posting! Praying for you today.

Be Blessed,
MikeD

I See Love

As I sit here and write, I could not help but share with you the lyrics of the song "I See Love." I sit here and pray, not being able to sleep, thinking about the amazing act of Jesus' death on the Cross. The brutality of His death so that we might live amazes me each day, with each breath- I desire to love Him more. Isaiah tells us that "He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities. Chastisement that brought us peace was upon him, and by HIS stripes we are HEALED. GOD HAS LAID UPON HIM the iniquity of us all." Praise the Lord. I do not know about you, but all I can see is LOVE.

The song is written by Third Day, Mercy Me, and Steven Curtis Chapman.

ome see a teacher
Standing on a hill
Speaking words of wisdom
Some see a healer
Reaching out his hand
To give sight to a blind man
Some see a dreamer
Wasting his life
On what can never be
Some see a fool
Dying for his dreams

But I see love (I see love)
I see love (I see love)
Light of heaven breaking through
Well I see grace (I see grace)
I see God's face (I See Gods face)
Shining pure and perfect love
When I see you
I see love

Some see a prisoner
Alone before his judge
With no one to defend him
Some see a victim
Beaten and abused
With all the world against him
Some see a martyr
Carrying his cross
For what he believes
Some see a hero
Who set his people free

But I see love (I see love)
I see love (I see love)
Light of heaven breaking through
Well I see grace (I see grace)
I see God's face (I See Gods face)
Shining pure and perfect love
When I see you


With your last breath
I see love
Through your death
I see love
I see peace in the eyes of the king
I see hope in your suffering (I see love)
I see a calm in the center of the storm
I see a Saviour

I see love
I see love
Light of heaven breaking through (heaven breaking through)
I see grace
I see God's face
Shining pure and perfect love
When I see you
I see love
When I see you
I see heaven breaking through
See Gods face
Shining pure and perfect love
When I see you
When I see you
When I see you
I see love
I see love
When I see

Some see Him walking from an empty grave...

I see LOVE, what do you see?

Finding a Church Home

Hello all, sorry it has been forever since I posted- I intend to write more regularly soon!! Here are some thoughts that really helped me when I was searching for a church home as a believer..I believe finding a church home is the most important decision a follower of Jesus will ever make. This is the place where you will weekly encounter the living God in a community of fellow believers who can support, encourage, and challenge you. As a disciple of Christ, I believe there are four essential parts the congregant must engage in and be able to engage in at their current church home!

1. Worship
1. This is the most important!! As a member of a Church, you must be able to freely worship the Lord in the house of the Lord- Through the music, the prayer time, as well as the teaching; you must hear, and see the Lord in all of those areas. You must be encouraged by the music, and connect with the Holy Spirit through it! You must be challenged, convicted, and encouraged by the Word of God; and you must feel the power of prayer through the Lord's revelation!
2. Psalm 95:6, "Come , let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker."
2. Discipleship
1. You must be continually fed through your church home in order to fulfill the fourth part of this list. In order to pour out, you must continually be fed. You need to be provided opportunities to be in small group Bible study settings which are intentional in studying the Word of God. You must be provided opportunities to also lead small group Bible studies if you so desire. Church is not on Sunday morning alone, and the place you decide to call home shouldn't think that either!
2. Matthew 28:19, "Go and make DISCIPLES of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit teaching them to observe my commands."
3. Fellowship
1. Ahhh, the community of other believers. It is so refreshing to be in the presence of those who have come together for a common purpose: to reach the lost, and build the found. You have to be able to surround yourself with people who can pray for you, encourage you, support you, lead you, and guide you. You must feel comfortable sharing with those in your church home, and allowing them to share with you.
2. Ephesians 2:19, "so you are no longer strangers, but FELLOW CITIZENS IN CHRIST."
4. Evangelism
1. When deciding a church to call home I highly suggest finding a church that values evangelism and has a purpose and a vision to grow. The sole purpose of what you learn in the discipleship process is to share it with those who do not know it, and strive to grow the Church! It is our mission to grow the Church of Jesus, and you will see, day in and day out, the beauty of a Christ in a growing church!
2. Acts 1:8, "For you will receive power when the Holy Spirit is upon you and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH!!!"