Lost Inside The Wonder

Character

2010-10-26T09:43:00.002-05:00

Character is something that you don't often see especially in pro sports. Last week when the Rangers beat the Yankees, Texas outfielder Josh Hamilton truly showed what character is. If you don't know Josh's story you need to watch it. This video tells alot about who he is now as a man. It is truly amazing what God can do through someone.

Praise

2010-02-10T10:13:00.002-06:00

Do you ever have days or even long periods of time where your mind is numb or your stomach is sick? You feel like God is absent, like everyone and everything is against you. You might feel like you have this huge weight on your back or things in your life might not seem fair. These times are trying! You have all of these mixed emotions of anger, confusion, fear, sadness, loneliness, your heart is broken and you keep crying out to God but he doesn't answer. Your longing for God's guidance and wisdom.

When I go through these times I feel like running away where no one knows me and that is hard to do. We always want our problems and trials to go away quickly so we run. Realistically that's not going to happen and we have to face it all. One of the hardest things for me is praying for my enemies or people that have hurt me. When I do pray for them I find it one of the most freeing things ever. God asks us to do hard things during hard times. A close friend once told me

"Satan will bring his best before God brings his best."

Satan is always going to be fighting his hardest when he knows that God is working in our lives and when we are being obedient to God's will. The best thing and the hardest thing to do during these times is to praise. Praise your enemies and praise God. Once you do Satan will be defeated!

Just last night I read some scripture that gave me hope and reassured me that God is in control. Isaiah 60:20 says:"God will be your eternal light,your God will bathe you in splendor.Your sun will never go down,your moon will never fade.I will be your eternal light. Your days of grieving are over." This verse brought a huge smile to my face... a smile that I haven't felt in a long time. The last six words echoed in my head throughout the night and today as well. YOUR DAYS OF GRIEVING ARE OVER! God is good and at the right time he'll make it happen!

In Revelation Chapter 7 it talks about the people from the great tribulation and how they washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb. They're standing before God's throne praising him and serving him day and night. The last few verses in the chapter remind me that God is faithful and in due time he will bring us out of our hard times. "Then he told me, "These are those who come from the great tribulation, and they've washed their robes, scrubbed them clean in the blood of the Lamb. That's why they're standing before God's Throne. They serve him day and night in his Temple. The One on the Throne will pitch his tent there for them: no more hunger, no more thirst, no more scorching heat. The Lamb on the Throne will shepherd them, will lead them to spring waters of Life. And God will wipe every last tear from their eyes."

I am God. At the right time I'll make it happen. Isaiah 60:22(The Message)

Exodus 4:12

2009-10-04T21:26:00.002-05:00

Well for some reason I felt the urge to blog tonight. It has been quite some time but I felt like I wanted to share this verse with anyone who reads this post. When I think about what Moses had to go through I'm sure he was really afraid and really not sure what he was doing at times. There are a lot of times I feel the exact same way. Exodus 4:12 says " Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say." I have read this verse many times but when I read it the other night it really strengthened my faith. I may not know where God is taking me but he does. If he doesn't worry than why should I. It doesn't do me any good. Sometimes I forget how big God really is.

God's love for us has no limits. The first two words of Exodus 4:12 honestly gives me chills. I know God has a plan for me but it is my job to walk in his ways and believe in him. I know this is short but I don't have much else to say... the verse really says it all.

" So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

Thankful

2009-02-04T20:18:00.002-06:00

Well it has been about a week since I have written anything. Lately my mind feels like it has been empty for some reason. Just this past week I was reflecting about everything in my life and how thankful I am. I am thankful to have a loving family. Without them I would go crazy. I am thankful to have a job in today's economy. God has always provided for me. I'm also thankful for God's randomness. He always works in the most mysterious and random ways and I like that because it really makes my journey with him exciting. I could go on and on about a lot of things that I am thankful for but I don't want to bore you. What are you thankful for? Anything crazy going on in your life? I would like to know. Peace out.

Amazingly Simple

2009-01-26T14:57:00.002-06:00

How can we better understand God and how he works? Oswald Chambers quotes: " By receiving his Spirit, recognizing and relying on him, and obeying him as he brings us the truth of his Word, life will become amazingly simple". I am very guilty of letting my worries and concerns get in the way of what God is trying to do. I worry about my job, I worry about our country and sometimes even wonder if I am doing God's will. Why do I waste so much time worrying when deep down I know God is in control? He knows what he is doing. These little things can dominate our lives and we lose sight of what is most important and that is trusting God and relying on his Word. I like what Jesus says in Matthew 6:30. " If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers most of which are never even seen don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met."

This is the Message version which is longer but I like how honest and upfront it seems. All of my concerns will be met if I will stop worrying. To be honest with you I don't agree with what Barack Obama has done this past week and I don't like the direction he is going but when I stop and think about it all... God is watching and has total control over our country. I can't be consumed with what Obama is doing. It's not my place to worry, but I can stand up for what is right. Another verse that I like is Matthew 13:22. Jesus says: " The seed cast in the weeds is the person who hears the kingdom news, but weeds of worry and illusions about getting more and wanting everything under the sun strangle what was heard, and nothing comes of it."

Just like Oswald Chambers said: life will become amazingly simple if we rely on him and obey him as he brings us the truth of his word. God is good and he has never failed me. In our good and bad times we have to continue to trust him no matter what the circumstances are. If you have worries in your life right now I encourage you to read Matthew chapter 6. It is full of great scripture. Have a good day.

Truth: Where is my trust?

2009-01-19T16:44:00.003-06:00

Well these past couple of days I feel like I have been learning a lot. Either through God's word or a through a sermon I feel like I have been growing in my faith. God puts us through times where we have to learn how to trust him and figure out what we really believe as a Christian. Yesterday I heard a quote that is so true. "What you believe determines how you behave." Where is my trust? In the world? Or in God? I have to decide daily if I will put my trust in God and rely on him to get me through the hard times. I can't rely on the things of this world or anyone else to get me through. Don't get me wrong... I think that it is great to have spiritual mentors in your life and I have some of my own but only God can change me and I have to believe in him and his word.

I like what it says in Isaiah 50:10-11. " Who among you fears the Lord and obeys his servant? If you are walking in darkness, without a ray of light, trust in the Lord and rely on your God. But watch out, you who live in your own light and warm yourselves by your own fires. This is the reward you will receive from me: You will soon fall down in great torment." Like I mentioned the other day... right now I have my own wants and I know what would make me happy but is it what God wants? Is it his will? It seems like today's society thinks that everything is okay or normal. I think that there are things in all of our lives that at times we know is a sin but we let it slide by thinking it is okay. If we continue down that path we are in for torment. If people want to know what truth is they can find it in the word. The truth is God.

I heard a song on the radio today by a band called Addison Road and the song is called "Hope Now". The chorus says: Everything rides on hope now, everything rides on faith somehow, when the world has broken me down , your love sets me free. If you have not heard this song I encourage to listen to it. The rest of the words are amazing. I will close with a quote by Chuck Swindoll. "Convictions are a matter of choice, not force." Sorry if I blabbered on in this post but all of this was on my mind and I wanted to say it. Have a good day.

Favorite Band

2009-01-17T08:26:00.006-06:00

Who is your favorite band of all time? What is the best concert you have been to? For those of you that know me real well know that my favorite band is Audio Adrenaline. You can make fun of me if you want to... but I don't care. I like Audio Adrenaline because their lyrics are honest and I can always compare my life and what I am going through at the time to some of their lyrics. My favorite song by Audio Adrenaline is called "Until my heart caves in." It's basically about praising God and loving him until your heart caves in. Audio A just retired about a year and a half ago because the lead singer lost his voice and had to get surgery on his voice box. If you have never listened to Audio A I would suggest their Lift album which is more of a worship album and my favorite one. Also you should try their "Until my heart caves in" album which was their last album other than Adios which was their greatest hits album.

One band that I have to mention is DC Talk. I grew up listening to them almost every day. Me and my sister would try to make music videos to some of their songs. Now that they are doing their solo stuff I really enjoy Tobymac. He is different than anyone else. His music is perfect for when I am hyper. You should give him a try. I suggest all of his albums. His live one is legit.

Okay sorry for blabbering about stuff you might not care about. I have only been to two secular concerts and those two were Coldplay concerts. I have seen Audio A and Tobymac a dozen times and could say that they put on a really good concert but when comes to a Coldplay concert it is hard to compare. The tickets are expensive but well worth it. If you haven't seen Coldplay live you have to as soon as you get the chance. Well enough about who I like. Who is your favorite band or artist? What is your favorite song by them? And what is the best concert you have been to?

A Day at Diffee Motor Company

2009-01-14T09:45:00.003-06:00

At Diffee Motor Company my days seem to be very repetitive. Every Wednesday I show up at 8:00 and wish that I was still in bed. I find something to eat and today I was lucky and had donuts... no better way to start the day. As soon as I get settled in I will turn on Sportscenter and listen to it repeat itself twenty times throughout the day. I don't like to watch the news because it is depressing. Around 9:00 a customer will pull up and ask for a $4,000 car and I tell them all we have is an Oldsmobile or Buick and they say no I'm wanting a sports car or Honda. People get mad at me when I don't have a $4,000 sports car and I just have to be ignore their rudeness and get on with the day. Also one of my biggest pet peaves is people singing in the morning. Sometimes you just want to slap people. There are just days that you wish there was peace and quiet but there will always be something or someone that gets on your nerves.

Hopefully this day will pick up... it's the 14th of January and I have only sold 1 car! So I guess you could say the best part of my day so far is having a donut. Maybe something crazy will happen like someone buying a car from me. Who knows what could happen it is Bethany Oklahoma. Well maybe I should get back to work. If you read this and want to hang out or buy a car call me. Have a good day. Oh and call me if something crazy happens to you today.

His Word

2009-01-11T21:00:00.002-06:00

Do you ever feel like God's word seems dry and you just don't hear him speaking to you? At the end of last year I was in that place. I had a sense of confusion and loneliness and I couldn't really explain to anyone my reasons for feeling this way. I had mixed desires and felt like I was in a between mode with God. I wanted him there but at the same time I was confused because I felt like he wasn't moving in my life.

I think we go through these times so that we can truly figure out who we are in Christ. Where we stand and what we believe. I felt as if God was transforming me in a way I couldn't control. I had this fear because what I was wanting for my life wasn't what God wanted. I was happy so I thought everything in my life was under control. I realized I was putting my trust in myself and not God. The reason His word seemed dry is because my focus was on me and not him. That is the wrong place to be. You won't get anywhere in life until you fully release yourself and put all of your trust in God. I have to pray daily that God will free me of all of my iniquities. God's word brings life and brings joy. Jeremiah 15:16 says "When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart's delight, for I bear your name, O Lord God Almighty." If you run to his word and you fully trust and love him... he will be there and will never leave you.

Sanctified

2009-01-09T12:57:00.002-06:00

May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it. 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

This is a verse that I have known for a long time. I actually used it for when I got baptized. I read it again today and the word sanctified stuck out to me. Sanctified means to be set apart for a sacred purpose. Right now in my life I am longing to be sanctified and I want to be kept blameless. It almost sounds impossible to be kept blameless because we live in a world full of sin. Satan will battle for a place in our lives... and he knows exactly what makes us weak. Whether it be gossip, temptation, greed, anger and so on he knows how to deceive us and when to do it. For me the best way to fight the enemy is by staying in the word and prayer. The word is the best weapon we can use against the enemy. I have to concentrate every minute of the day and make sure that I am obeying God with what I do and say. I am at fault and will admit that I am not on the right track. I haven't been giving God every aspect of my life. I know that I will never be perfect but I must focus on God. I want to end with some scripture that just came to my mind. It is Psalm 19:14. What are your thoughts on this scripture? Feel free to comment.

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you. O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14

Are you kidding me?

2009-01-07T10:52:00.005-06:00

I am a big sports fan but sometimes I find it ridiculous of how much the athletes get payed. In the offseason the New York Yankees have spent $1.3 billion on a new stadium and $424 million on only three players! Are you kidding me? Something isn't right here. I think it's good to be competitive on a professional level and you want to bring a championship to your city. The Yankees are signing some great athletes and they seem to year after year because they want a championship so badly but you would hope they would do something different because they have seemed to choke the past couple of seasons. The average salary that managers and other clubs spend on a team is $220 million. It blows me away to think that with the way the economy is these guys are getting payed this much to throw and hit a ball.

I may sound bitter that I am not getting payed to play sports but I am not. I just have never heard of so much money being spent on one athlete. It will be interesting to see what kind of season the Yankees have with all of their money. Who knows? This is my random thought for the day. Have a good one. Peace out.

His Ways

2009-01-06T16:29:00.003-06:00

Let me start off to say that I'm not that great of a writer but I have a lot that I want to say. You are probably wondering why my blog is called "Lost Inside the Wonder". I named it that for a couple of reasons. First because it is one of my favorite songs and because of what Deuteronomy 10:21 says. "He is your praise; he is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes."

Last night was the first time that I came across this verse and I have been thinking about it all day. I think sometimes God's wonders and ways can bring us joy and at other times bring us pain. In 2008 God closed a lot of doors in my life and it was hard to go through at the time but through it all I have seen his awesome wonders. We can have our own plans and be content with our lives but are we really doing God's will? That is a question that I find myself asking almost every day. To be honest I don't do good with the monotonous times in life. I want to feel like God is always moving. That is something that I know I have to release over to God. I will never know his will... so I have to choose how I will live each day. God takes us through hard times so we can learn to trust him and he closes doors because he has something far better than we could ever imagine. Even though we don't feel his presence he is always working.