Summer Update.......

Greetings Friends,
I hope and pray that this post finds you doing well and enjoying your walk with the Lord. Because of Christ, there is always reason to rejoice. I cannot believe how fast this summer has flown by. I guess it is true, when you are having fun time flies by more quickly. If you didn't know, I have been working at High Point Camp all summer in Pennsylvania. This is my 10th consecutive summer working there. It has been totally awesome. Our God is truly Amazing and Faithful.
You all are probably wandering what I am going to be doing in the Fall since I am not returning to C.C.C. Well, I still do not have an answer to that question. I am still seeking the Lord's direction for that matter. This summer has denfinitely been a stretching experience in the area of faith and patience. God knows best and I know He has something in store for me that I have never imagined. God truly is Good!
Well my friends, I cannot type too much right now. I am still at camp and Fridays are super fun and busy. I hope and pray that when our paths cross again that I will find you walking faithfully with our Lord. May the Lord bless and keep you till we meet again. Keep your eyes on the Lord. Take care and have a delightful and refreshing day in the Lord.

LORD OF THE HOUSE

O God enter this house and cleanse it from within,

Enter deep in the foundation and uproot the weeds of sin.

Please break the blurred mirrors that reflect a wicked facade,

That I may see myself for who I am and live for your applaud.

Open all the doors that are locked within this vessel,

Relieve it from its weakenesses with which it daily wrestles.

Mend the fences of this house so others can truly see,

This house is not my own but truly belongs to thee.

Lord light up this house so people can clearly see,

You are my constant focus from now till eternity.

Please rebuild the bridges that connect this house to others,

Bind them with your love to my sisters and my brothers.

Protect this house from destruction, which source is always sin,

Sprinkle it with rains of humility, grind it deep within.

Built upon your promises, a creation of your hand,

May this house stand faithfully, obedient to your command.

A recipient of your love, an object of your grace,

May this house stand faithfully and never forget its place.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Today, You may find yourself lost and trying to find direction. Maybe your patience is being stretched as you ponder the next step God has for you. There may be doors in your heart that are locked that are keeping you from having true joy. May I remind you today, that if you truly are saved; the One that truly can help you lives within you. Psalm 37:25 says, "I have been young and now I am old, Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his descendants begging bread." If you are going about this day and you are not experiencing true peace, then look at Psalm 37:1-11. We are encouraged to do a few simple things that will help us find that peace. 1.Do not worry 2.Trust 3.Delight 4.Commit 5.Rest 6.Wait. God is in control and He knows what is best for us in this life. Today, as we ponder, may we find our thoughts, our heart, our faith, resting completely in Him. It is then that we can have true peace.

What's Next?

Greetings to my friends,
I know that many of you have been praying for me about my decision for next year. For those who are not aware of my situation, this is my last year working at Clearwater Christian College. This is my fifth and final year serving mainly as a Resident Advisor. It definitely has been an adventure and a learning experience. So what are my future plans? That is the question that so many of you have been asking. Well, my planned exodus from Clearwater will be sometime around June 3rd. I will be serving at High Point Camp in Geigertown, Pennsylvania for my tenth consecutive summer in a row. As for the Fall, I am still not sure what I will be doing or where I will be serving. No, I am not stressed about not knowing the future; for I know who holds the future today and everyday. God truly is Faithful and I know that He will instruct me specifically in His time.
So for now, my heart and focus are on the Lord and my responsibilities for this summer. There are too many things to do between now and then besides sitting around and worrying about the future. Thank you so much for your continued prayers as I continue to seek patiently the Lord's direction. May the Lord bless and keep you all as you continue to follow and serve the Lord with all your heart. Take care and God bless. Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our Faith.

TREASURE OF A MOTHER

Not all treasures come in the form of silver and gold,

Some come as people, their names are untold.

There is a special person that to me is a treasure,

Being her son has been and is a priceless pleasure.

An example of love she has been throughout my days,

I offer her my thanks, I offer her my praise.

She seeks to help others and meet their need,

A special woman she is a precious jewel indeed.

Patience and love are with her in her ways,

God's wisdom and blessing are with her all her days.

She has been a faithful wife as well as a mother,

To whom does she compare, there is no other.

Smothered by her love and always her prayers,

Whenever I talk to her I know she cares.

My motivation to achieve and do the things I should,

She encourages me to love others and do all that is good.

I see her not as unordinary or similar to the rest,

But an ordinary woman led by God that seeks to do her best.

There is so much more to cherish and always more to say,

As I reflect on my Mother today on Mother's Day.

The treasure of a Mother is a gift very dear,

It brings my thoughts to a pause and to my heart a joyful cheer.

Dear God I thank you for my Mother for she is a special one,

I count it a priceless treasure to always be called her son.

The Treasure Of Our Thanksgiving

We gather today as family, friends, acquaintances, strangers and countrymen. We have gathered today each in our own distinct way to celebrate that which has come by the way of priceless sacrifice. The reward for those who have given their lives before us is the trophy of freedom which we hold close to our hearts. May we not forget, nor neglect the memory of those whose blood once flowed in the valleys and fields of which now represent places of solitude and rest.
Today, let us put aside our differences that we may help those that are in need. May we help those that cannot help themselves. May we help those who cannot see, to see the gift today we embrace. Today there will be those that will unlock the chains to the doors of their heart that they may share the love which they have bound so long. There will be those who will harness their pride and hate because they have not experienced which we gladly proclaim today. May we lift the blinds of our eyes that we may see people for who they are and not for what we perceive them to be. We must lift the shades of our hearts that the love we show have not respector of persons. We must open our minds so we may clearly reflect on the countless steps that have led us to the peak of the ladder of our independence.
Committment, faith, honesty, courage, wisdom, fervency, sacrifice, and iniative are but a few of the characteristics that have flowed from the veins of our past leaders. They were not unordinary, but ordinary people that strove for that which burned in their hearts. It was a burning that was passed from heart to heart until it was quenched by the river of independence that we experience today. Sadly, though we celebrate and give thanks for our country and our freedom; our homes, cities, states, country, and our hearts are still bound by our wicked sinful desires.
There are many today that are standing thankful as free Americans and as Christians, no longer bound by sin. To whom do they owe their thanks? His name is Jesus. His death broke sins's shackles and His resurrection quenched death's sting. Christ loved us so much that He died for us so we may have freedom from sin. No, like others who have died, He was not an ordinary man. He was and is the Son of Man. He is the Son of God!

Not Home Yet !!

Tired and strained but not wilted beyond measure,

Sight of home is still in view of my eyes as well as my heart.

Conflicted by powers that I cannot vastly see,

Trying to withhold me from the journey of which I long to finish.

Lost in the pain of constant temptations and trials,

They tease me and show me how uninvincible I am.

The fierce challenges I face see me not as a nemesis but a prey,

By God's strength may I stand undaunted through the raging storms of time.

A patriot for a cause I truly do not comprehend,

Longing for an end to this journey of which I cannot control.

My resting place is a destination I do not deserve,

Its treasures are beyond my comprehension.

HEAVEN!!!

Food For Thought:

To the faint at heart, find your strength today in our Sovereign God. Whether you are serving our Saviour on foreign ground or here at home; do not lose heart. If you are tired of fighting the constant battle between the flesh and the spirit, stand your ground. We have already won the war. For now, we must face these daily battles against a foe whose end is nothing compared to the beginning we have to look forward to in eternity. When you find yourself beaten, confused, famished, weakened, discouraged, and at your wits end; remember that our time here is nothing compared to what we have to look forward to in eternity. We are not just strangers in this foreign land of sin. We are heaven bound sinners saved by grace, serving an EXTRAORDINARY GOD!

Words Of Wisdom From The Sandbox #2

Topic: Keeping Christ On The Mind

Questions to ponder:
1.When I entered a situation today, did I do anything to make it better than it was before I left?
2.What have I done today to help influence my friends or roommates spiritually?
3.Have the things that I have done in private today been consistent with the things I have done in public?

Another day passes and we realize we have not thought about God today. We realize that we have not once brought Him up in our conversations with our friends. Maybe we muttered a mumble or so of a prayer before beginning our day. How much aware are we of the presence of God? Do we really live as if He is standing right there by our side? Are we so focused with what is going on in our sandbox that we have no time for anyone outside our box?
I would encourage you to take a step back and consider that your life; no matter how silent it may be, influences someone. It is not about you, IT IS ALL ABOUT HIM!!! As Christians, we should encourage each other positively toward spiritual things. If not, then it is time for a new self evaluation. Ask yourself today, Lord, what can I do today to allow you to have more influence in all the areas of my life?

Keep It Simple: God's Daily Will - Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
1.Focus on what matters (12:13)
2.View God with a reverant respect (12:13)
3.Remember that God sees even the secret things of life (12:14)

By the Grace of God, may we live our lives in a way that reflects a pure and proper message of who Christ is and what He has done in our lives.

I am a scary snow man!! 

I am chillin out on the mountain top. 

This is me at Rocky Mt. National Park. I am standing on a lake! 

"Dare To Be Good" - "Dedicate To Be Godly"

Who will dare to be good? O man, where will you stand?

The evil in this world seeks to remove you like a speck of sand.

There are many in this world who are considered good,

Because they give money to needy neighborhoods.

Man is considered good by what he does in the eyes of man,

Even though it may displease God and go against His command.

When you strive to be good according to the world's level,

You stand on shaky ground easily torn down by the devil.

Who will dedicate to be Godly is the question that I ask;

To follow faithfully is a long and rugged task.

Many have gone before me carrying the torch of the cross,

May my life not be a cloud which quenches the light to the lost.

Who will dare to be Godly? This desire is very rare;

People living for self, fulfilling their flesh everywhere.

The steps of the Godly are patterned after the Lord;

Their lives covered with fingerprints of God's Holy Word.

Your choice to be Godly is a firm stand to take;

Friends, desires, and sins you may have to boldly forsake.

What is your passion? Is it for God or for sin?

God sees and knows all the wicked things within.

When we stand before God and bow before His throne,

He will reveal those who loved Him and stood for Him alone.

Food For Thought:

I Timothy 4:8 says, "For bodily exercise profiteth little; but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come." There are all sorts of standards that can be maintained to make someone appear as good. The only path for godliness is Obedience. Obedience to God and His Holy Word. This requires a daily denying of self of the things which we want, desire, and live for that are not consistent with what God commands. May it be our daily pursuit to know God more and to follow Him with all of our heart. Seeking not man's approval of being a good person, but striving to be the obedient child of God that we are commanded to be.

What Is A Sandbox?

Response to earlier post: Words of Wisdom from the Sandbox
Question: What is a Sandbox?

As I reflect back to my earlier childhood, I can still remember the fun days of playing in my sandbox. At that age I was not really concerned with what was going on outside my box. All that I dwelled on was the abundance of sand and the many toys that were in my box. Maybe your box was made out of wood or plastic. I have seen all sorts of sandboxes, some portable and some stationery. As I got older, my attention began to become more focused on things outside of the box. I can still remember my mother telling me to stay inside the box and not wander about. Unknown to me were the many dangers that awaited me outside the box. Several times I could have easily walked or ran outside of my box, but there was always something inside me that kept me within my boundaries.
As I child my sandbox consisted of a wooden contraption filled with sand. Now that I am older, sandbox has taken on a new meaning to me. My sandbox now pertains to the area of life in which I dwell as well as the inner workings of my heart. Now, in reading that statement you probably are thinking that I just described the same sandbox I sat in as a child. Well, I suppose figuratively speaking it does sound somewhat the same. All our life, our sandbox has encountered many changes. Maybe the location of your box changed, or the things which were in your box changed. Most importantly, you changed. As a child you really had no control on what could come inside your box or when you suddenly would be removed from it.
Whether we are a child or an adult, we still do not have control over what could happen in our sandbox. Sometimes we may have to battle with staying within our boundaries, or stepping out by faith to do something new. Sometimes we may have to be selfless enough to allow someone else to join us in our box. As a people that like to be in control, we struggle with change. Change is not always bad, but it does require flexibility and trust. Sometimes life may require us to step outside our familiar sandbox and never return.
What is the point that I am trying to make? The truth is very simple. All throughout our life we are going to experience all sorts of changes and experiences. We do not have complete control over when, what, how, or who. One thing I know that has been a true comfort to me as I dwell in my sandbox and venture out of it: People may change, your environment may change, your trials and circumstances may change, You may change, the things within and without your sandbox may change; but GOD NEVER CHANGES.

Hebrews 13:8

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

Words of Wisdom from the Sandbox

Topic: Standing In The Face Of Trying Circumstances

Questions to Consider:
What is my response when I am faced with trials I am not ready to face?
What is my response when I realize that the trials I am facing are bigger than I am?
What is my response to life in general when different things appear on my path of life that i have never imagined?
Am I being faithful in responding Biblically to trials and circumstances that I experience?

What are some negative responses to trying circumstances?
I do not deserve this, I am a good person
Why do bad things happen to good people?
Life just seems to always deal me a bad hand
I am going to be angry and bitter at life and the world in general
There is no reason to live anymore
I cannot handle this
If I had this or that, things would be so much better

What does the Bible say? (I Peter 1:1-7,4:12-14,19)
Keep our hope in the Lord - 1:3
We are kept by the power of God - 1:5
Rejoice - 1:6,8 4:13
Remember trials are temporary in light of eternity -1:6
The trying of your faith is more profitable than riches - 1:7
Christ suffered and endured trying circumstances -4:1,13
Keep your faith -4:19

Food for Thought:
We never know when it will be our time to experience a trial or circumstance that pushes us to the edge. Life is not all about having a good time and fulling your desires to their utter end. Life is not all about pleasure. There is another side of the coin.