Closer Pool Party

I don't know about you'll other Closer people but I had a great time at the pool party on Thursday. We should definitely do that again. I'm still new but now I'm really looking forward to the events with Refuge. I am so excited about Equip and Submerge. I can't wait to all this gets started. I look forward to Refuge on Wednesdays and Closer on Thursdays. I will see you'll soon and look forward to continue to meet more people at Refuge. Going to Refuge had truly changed my life spiritually and I'm also meeting more people which makes it fun. Every leader at Refuge should be proud of the wonderful youth group they are a part of. This youth group has no doubt changed other lives as well as mine. I am so glad I get the privilege of participating in this youth group and get to change lives by serving one. I'll see you'll Wednesday.

God Always Brings You Back to Your Knees

When I was sick over the weeekend I didn't do my quiet time. This caused me to, I guess, not be as focussed as I usually am on God. I didn't feel like it was bad not to do my quiet time for a couple of days, but yesterday I was so frustrated. I am just tired of being sick and just ready to be healed. I couldn't understand why I was so upset. Every time I start getting out of my routine and not focussing on God as much something always happens to make me refoccus and come fall at Jesus' feet. The weird thing is I didn't feel like I wasn't focussed. All I can think is that God dosen't want me to go backwards in any way. He wants me to get closer to Him even if it causes me some pain. I started reading the Prayer of Jabez book that I have. It talked about asking God to have His hand upon us. I realized if it wasn't for the crazt things I face I wouldn't have to go to God and say, Daddy help me. God always has a way to get us refocussed on Him. I don't really know if this makes since. It made since to me yesterday when I was upset. I'll see you'll tonight.

Apollo Takes the Gold!

I have been watching Dancing With the Stars for three seasons. I really wanted Apollo to win and he did. If know one cares I know Kandace does. She loves the show too. I just had to write about this.

Keep him in Prayer

Today I found out my old principal has throat cancer. It sounds so devastating, but the last time they thought he had cancer he prayed and fasted until God healed him. I have to believe he's probably doing the same. Benny Hinn was also praying for him and announced it on t.v. I am proud to remember him as someone who totally trusts God. Please keep him in your prayers. No matter how much faith you have it has to be hard for him and his wife and kids. His name is Craig Wascom. It's very sad because he's only in his forties.My God is the God who is the Great Physician and I believe He can heal him. What about you? My mom is also sick. If you will pray for her too. Thinking about how awesome our God is, I thought of something our former pastor played at church several years ago. It is this preacher trying to describe God. It is incredible. It is about seven minutes but it's worth the time.The link is on my link list to the right. It says That's My King!

Thankfulness

We talked about thankfulness last night at Closer. It was really good. We read 1 Thessalonians 5:16-19. It basically says be happy, pray continuously, give thanks in everything, and don't put out the Spirit's fire. I think that should be out prayer everyday. That kind of sums everything in 2 verses. We read Philippians 4:6-7. That verse tells us not to worry but to pray.I also learned something new. Tori said not to dwell on our worries after giving them to God, which makes since, but usually after I pray I still dwell on my circumstances. That is something I personally need to work on. We talked about focusing on others rather than ourselves so we're not thinking about what we don't have. I always feel like I get the good end anyway when I get to serve others, most of the time.We miss blessings and opportunities when we're thinking about ourselves. We also need to forgive ourselves.Romans 8:1 tells us there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ. I also realized that God can use me even on days I majorly mess up because it's not about me, it's about Him and He's always perfect. I'm just His vessel. Thankfulness is an attitude. You choose to be thankful, you don't just walk into it. It is also a habit. When we have nothing to be thankful for, we still do, we have Jesus to be thankful for. God cares about every aspect our our lives. That is important to remember. Romans 8:38-39 tells us nothing can seperate us from God's love. Psalm 92 is completely awesome. I have to agree with Tori that verse 5 and 6 are my favorites too. It says," How great are your works, O Lord, how profound are your thoughts! The senseless man does not know, fools do not understand,... I encourage you to read the whole chapter. I don't think it's as long as my post, which is extremely long. Something really cool happened today. I was looking up some verses for a guy in my class and the first one I turned to was so for me. I was looking up verses from my notes from Refuge a couple of weeks ago. I worry a lot, those who know anything about me know that. The verse was about worrying. It was so cool. It was exactly what I needed to hear even though I had finished working on what I was worried about. Anyway, The verse is Isaiah 26:3. It says," You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you." I thought it was so awesome. See you'll Wednesday!

The "I Am" Statements

Tonight the message was from John 10:9. It was pretty cool. I thought the point about you not being able to accidentally follow God and make it to heaven was really awesome. You can totally mess-up and go through a wrong door, but you can't just walk into following Jesus. It is a choice you must make. About the "I Am" statements, well, Jesus said He is the Door and the Shepherd. That's kind of interesting. He is sitting at the door watching out for you and He is the door you must go through. That's kind of cool. Paul Musso's poem was incredible. I can't believe God totally like gave that to him. He must have the hook up with God. I have never been given something quite like that, but that's so awesome.I just started reading the Payer of Jabez for Teens. It really seems to be a great book that can help you if you want your life to completely change and God to rock your world. I'll see some of you'll at Closer tomorrow!

Being a Godly Leader

I got to do my presentation on leadership yestersday. It went well. I didn't feel like I had enough time, but it was good. My class seemed like they weren't listening, but I think it's just because some of them can't relate. Anyway, me Bible teacher thought it was so good. I really didn't think so. I felt I coulndn't get my points across so my classmates could understand. It seems like my teacher thinks everything I ever talk about is so profound. All I do is use stories from all the cool people I don't really know personally at Refuge and all Jason's amazing points. I also used some stuff from Tori and Jason's blogs. Then I add some verses and devtionals and stuff. This time we got to listen to the song we sing called Solution. That song is amazing and I got to talk about what it had to do with leadership and how I understand it. It was really cool. It justs feels natural writing these "messages." I'm glad my techer enjoyed it and if I reached one person that makes it all worth it. I really enjoy talking to my class. It's all God when it comes to talking in front of people becuse that used to be a major fear for me, but with God's help I have improved and actually enjoy speaking in front of people( at least in Bible in MY class). No matter how I feel I did, I know there was reason for me talking to my class about leadershp and I know someone must of understood something about it. It didn't go perfectly, but perfectly to me and getting the points across God wanted me to are different. I hope that makes since. See you'll Wednesday!