Jesus Christ Dwells In My Heart

I tell you, it doesn't get much better than to follow Him. Obviously, I initially would like to thank God for sending Jesus Christ and dying my death for me..But, He also has changed me inside and out. It's truly amazing. Letting Jesus be your light source in a dark world is like using a spotlight. Living off the world is like using a broken key-chain flashlight.
It's funny, honestly. If anyone knows me longer than this past year, they would recall my thoughts on books. On my Facebook profile, I once listed "TV was made so I would not have to read". I now gain encouragement and Truth from the Bible. I am compelled to read it. I also enjoy reading other books about Christianity. Earlier today, I was reading a book called "Who Says?" edited by Fritz Ridenour. Ridenour was an author who is credited with giving me an interest in actually wanting to finish a book. One Christmas (probably when I was 12 or 13), I recieved a book called "So What's The Difference?". The book compares other religions, and points to how Jesus is the only one that makes sense. I finished that book within a short amount of time. And I have read it more than once. I am also spending time reading "Mere Christianity" by C.S. Lewis. Books? Only through Christ would I wish to read. Funny, but learning about Him has given me a curiosity that cannot be tamed.
Music. Let me tell you. I recall a time in my life when Christian music was something I did not think I could want to listen to. Christian music came to life for me with Sufjan Stevens' cover of "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing", John Mark McMillan's "How He Loves", Phil Wickham's "Divine Romance", and Hillsong's "Hosanna". When you feel the Holy Spirit, these songs can be felt in a way that once had not. Music about Christ seems to be the only music that says something.
Discussions have changed for me, too. God conversations are simply the best. Music, television, all of our worldly discussions cannot hold a candle to talking about Jesus, God's love, and our personal walks with Him. I could talk about Him for hours. No kidding. Christ is what I wish to talk about.
An increase in compassion has been evident also. Christ's love. There's only one. But, we are called to try to love as He loved. It's so pure, perfect, and sacrificing. Giving love and not expecting it. That's love.

The point of this post was to show beyond the obvious salvation I have found only in Jesus Christ, and to show He has changed me through and through.

"14 For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
16 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"-2 Corinthians 5:14-17

"My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?"- Psalm 42:2

"Christ loved you enough to die for you. Now love Him enough to live for Him!"- The back of my 7th grade CYC shirt. (I'd love to know who said it, I love that quote)

It's quite simple. God is my fulfillment. He is your Savior. He is mine. He loves us.

Father, I thank you for first sending Your Son, Jesus. He died my sinner's death. And He conquered death. Through Your Son, I thank you for the the fact that Your Spirit dwells inside of me. You have changed me, and I only wish to be closer to You. I only want to continue to follow You. I want to be different. I thank You alone for the changes.

Something Lite; Nothing Heavy

This post is a light one, when you look at my others.
I think, I want to be in a sweet band. Sounds like something I have wanted for a while. But, I know what I want. A band that sings about Jesus. And has songs that are about faith.
Even though I play drums, I love me some folk music. I don't know. 1 acoustic guitar +1 person +1 story= epic stuff. My love for folk music came when I discovered Bob Dylan. The storytelling. It's got a hold on me. If you can't tell, I now have a big love for John Mark McMillan. He's got it all. Folk, alternative, worship. Quite honestly, I'd love to play drums for him. His band is fantastic.
Another side of me loves alternative/new wave/post-punk revival. U2, The Killers, Coldplay, Kings of Leon, The Smiths, The Pretenders, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs..and...Blondie (why not?) are all great groups. The dance element that comes from their music is fantastic. I'd love make some music like that. I think a delay pedal, Fender guitars, good tempos, and lastly but not least a great message (that message would be about our Lord & Savior of course!) would be a great thing to be a part of.
I dislike having to look for God in my favorite secular groups. I will say, The Killers' Day & Age album had solid, Christian elements in it. And I have enjoyed it more than other people who listen to The Killers. Coldplay's Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends is not really as Christian as I thought it may be. I think what I have learned is; the mere idea of there being a God is a wild concept for the average person. It's almost not real to them in some aspects.
But what I know is that there is a God, who sent His son to die for our wickedness, and He loves us more than we can understand. And with that being said...I want to write, play, record, and perform music about Jesus, forgiveness, the struggles and rewards of faith, and God's abundant love.

Anyway, it's 4:00am...

God...hold me now.

Recent times would say life is great. Past transgressions hold me down. I know God still loves me...but how can He forgive me? I am not perfect. And there's no works I can ever do to make things right with the Creator of the universe. Nothin' but the blood of Jesus will save me. I am here. Thankful. Blessed. I am looking to God. As a mere human...I let Him down. And He loves me even still.

"We are His portion and He is our prize, Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes, If grace is an ocean, we’re all sinking, So Heaven meets earth like a sloppy wet kiss, And my heart turns violently inside of my chest, I don’t have time to maintain these regrets, When I think about, the way…"- How He Loves~ John Mark McMillan

(And yes, another John Mark McMillan quote....he's awesome.)

Paul says what I need to hear:
" 12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."-Philippians 3:12-14

And this is what I will do. Do like Paul. It's not easy. Continuing to grow, I will learn more and become more like Christ. We are little Christs. I will look to Christ Jesus. I will strain toward what is to come.

God, I know Your Son cleaned my slate, and washed my sin away. But, these regrets...please help me overcome them. Your approval is the only approval I will ever want. Please Father, forgive me.

This End is a new Beginning.

God has done so many amazing things in me this year. He really is jealous for me. I am amazed, and shocked at what I have been missing out on all these years. Life without God...I regret it. But now, I am a new creation. And more than anything, I am His creation. I am so very thankful for this year and the blessings God gave me. I have a family at Wingate that loves me more than I could have asked for. Friends that I laugh with. And many, many great Christians to talk to about our walks with Jesus. I was one of those kids who did not want to leave school. I don't know. I just was on the thought process of "My school year= daily, amazing blessings from God...and if I go to school at Wingate...then it's always a good place to be, right?". But, no fear. God's always blessing me. I just grew so much this year. I cannot wait for Summer Beach Project. I heard that place was "legit" as the kids say. I also anxiously await next school year as a Residence Assistant. That will be sweet.
I can't wait for God's plans in my life. I heard Tim Tebow say, "I don't know what's gonna happen in the future. But I know Who holds my future. And in that there's success, in that there's comfort, and in that there's peace." I liked his testimony.
I will cling to these verses:
"11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."-Jeremiah 29:11-13

I thank God for saving me. I thank Him for loving me, even though I'm a sinner. I thank Him for forgiving me & sending Jesus Christ. I thank Him for being so big, but caring about little me. I thank Him for the plans He has for me. I love God for everything.