I will begin to take this blog in a new direction. I hope to open a few close minded Christians to new ideas or at the very least introduce some scholarly and historical views to the Christian community. I hope to “remove the wool,” that covers so many of my fellow Christians eyes. I feel I have been sheltered from the objective study of Christianity and its texts for far too long and I hope to remove bits and pieces of ignorance that may come from a solely subjective study (which I believe for many Christians is the only way they have studied the Bible).

I do want to make it clear that I do believe there is a place for a subjective study of the Christian texts but I believe that alone is not enough. Christians must be educated about the history and beginnings of Christianity and its texts. I hope to unravel a few of the ideas contemporary scholars hold. Stay tuned as I will soon begin reconstruction of this blog.

It’s been a while since I’ve posted anything on this blog. Man it has been a while. I have been really busy; and that is just a statement, not an excuse for not blogging because I can make time. I just haven’t in a while. This past week I went to Nashville, Tennessee to Lipscomb’s campus for a college ministry conference. It was awesome. I listened to a few mini concerts; Zane Williams and Phil Keaggy. Some of the captivating speakers were Dan Kimball, Lee Camp, Ben Cheek, and then the rest taught classes. I needed this conference for a few reasons. One reasons is I needed to answer some questions I have and I needed to get an idea on how a college ministry is ran. The second reason is I needed a jump start, something that would slap me in the face, something that would kick me in the rear and get me back on the right track. And the trip did just that. I praise God for what He is doing. Well thats all I to say for now. Sorry if my story about the conference ended abruptly.

Hey there! You probably think this is going to be a post about the good news that we are saved and that Christ died for us. That is no doubt good news, but I have something different to share. It’s been about a little more than a week since I wrote my post Cryin Out, and I want to give my brothers and sisters and update on my spiritual status. First, I want to say thank you John, Thomas, and Dusty for your comments. I am honored to know spiritual giants have been lifting my name up to the Father. Thank you, and I ask that you continue to pray for me.

I am without a doubt being restored. This past week I felt the spirit move through me twice and I was instantly reminded of what I had been missing. Thank you God for the Spirit!

The numbness that I thought had moved in on my soul is packing and on its way out the door.

The sermon by Dusty Rush this past Sunday about spiritual bravery; bravery to be compassionate and carry each others burdens, not a bravery that allows us to judge others was nothing short of spectacular. Dusty moved me this past Sunday, I saw a passion in him and a love for God that touched me. I cried in church for the first time in weeks. Thank you God for speaking through Dusty. He spoke truth, and his fire for You spread like a wildfire that headed straight for my heart. Passion truly is contagious. I thank God for your sermons Dusty.

Anyway, I just wanted to say I’m not yet what I used to be but I am well on my way. I am fighting through the cramps and dehydration. It felt like my run was slowing to a casual walk, but I am picking up the pace once again. I am persevering my brothers and sisters, and I will be stronger for it. Hebrews 12 1-2: I am looking to Christ Jesus, and He is giving me the endurance to finish this race. Thanks to everyone for your prayers, and please continue to pray for me and my race.

It’s almost 3:00 A.M. and I have to get up, get ready, and be at church by 9:00 A.M. this morning. I’m tired… but I have to do this, and it’s going to be very personal. I don’t know who all reads my blog, and I don’t know who of you will judge me and think less of me; or who will feel touched, remember their own struggles, and then kneel before the Father and pray for me. I don’t know… but I ask irregardless of what you think… that you pray for me.

I have an idea of when it began but I’m not sure. All I know is I’m becoming callused, and my desire is much less. I remember when I couldn’t get enough of His scripture, and I remember how it felt to kneel and pray and long to be with Him. And then have Him urge me to get up off my knees because of the work I have to do. I loved it. I couldn’t fathom falling away. I couldn’t imagine leaving my Daddy who took me from my evil ways. Now it’s clear I’m such a mess, at first it started as just missing some reading. But now it’s leading to sin. I feel an anger. And because I’m loving Him less I’m becoming morally wrong. I’m cryin out to God cause I’m weak, unworthy, and in need of His mercy. I am crying out asking for God to restore me to the servant I used to be.

I remember getting out of class, going back to the apartment, and then closing the door and falling to my knees just to pray. I couldn’t wait to be in His presence again. Here recently that passion is fading away. This sin makes it even harder to touch and change my heart. It’s almost like I forgot my Holy Dad was amazing. He’s the one who gave me my faith, who saved me from the storm and those gray and rainy days. I’m reading the sword less. And yeah I’m alive, but it feels like I’m just breathing and deaf. I’m stumbling and deserving death. I hate fading away and knowing it. Each breath I take makes the separation farther. I pray He erases my lack of passion today.

I may look the same, but He and I notice I’m gone. Service just doesn’t touch me the way it used to. I know I have to jump back in the word, I have to open up my sword. It’s crazy how I’m fading away. I ask that you pray I’m restored to the servant I used to be…. and more. I want to just be content with His glory and throne. Nothing else. I’m sure if I read “I’ll be able to recapture what made me fall in love with Jesus our King and Master.”

I just want you to know I’m cryin out to the Father. I know what I need to do. But I need your prayers. I ask that you help me in carrying my burdens. Pray that my pride leaves, that any anger and any arrogance leave my mind and soul. I beg you to pray for me. I ask that you pray for all Christians who are or have been fading away, and that they return to our infinite King. Thank you brothers and sisters!

(Trip Lee… thank you for your song Cryin Out… Thank you for writing that song for me and those who have and are falling away! Thank God I have the words you and 116 Clique have written!)

Well the next few days I’m off of work. Jim Counts, the boss man, is gone; and then today I found out the other two guys who lead the way will be leaving for Texas tomorrow. I’m glad I have a few days off because I need some time with God. I don’t feel I’m the servant I used to be. I remember praying a lot more at the end of this past school year. I feel like I’m kind of falling off; and these few days off can really help me get back on track if I let them.

I’m kind of bummed out I won’t be working because that means my pay check will be smaller. But it is far more important that my spiritual life gets rejuvenated, so it is far better that I have these few days off. I ask that you pray for me. Pray that I take full advantage of the upcoming days, and that I am restored. Thank you.

My family is off as well this upcoming month. Off to Texas. As some of you know my father is in the military. And as a result my family moves about every four years. The four years in the state Arkansas are about up. I want to ask that you pray for my family during this time. My dad will be leaving this Friday. I’ll definitely miss him, my mom, and my sister. Well, I’m off of here. Until tomorrow!

We are forever the scum of the Earth. We are creatures that have been destined to fail, and our continual failure is permanent. We started off with a clean slate, but Adam and Eve messed up. Then God flooded the world and we received yet another clean slate. I don’t have to say we messed up again; it’s obvious. Just look at the world we live in. Sin is prevalent. We just can’t seem to get it right. Peter denied Him and Judas betrayed Him. These two even got to see His miracles, they actually walked and talked with Him. And they still messed up. Even if we, in this day and age, physically saw the Christ we would still fail. We would doubt, and still fall away. Our sin will forever get in the way of us and God, and history proves it. But God really wants us to be with Him. He truly does care, and He recognizes our faults. So He decided to make it permanent. He sent His son in the midst of it all, and now we are born again.

Rejoice my brothers and sisters because Christ came and permanently saved us from our sins. His love is permanent, it’s continual. And because of that we can continually rejoice. The Word became flesh to suppress our danger. He was born into a family of sinners. Christ walked among us, teaching us the code, guiding us through life. The Holy Spirit guides us now. Christ came for our survival, and because of Him we can escape the flames. We are no longer permanently doomed because of sin, but permanently saved. He came, healed the sick, rose Lazarus from the dead, and fed thousands when they didn’t have enough food. He is permanently with us.

Trip Lee – Good News Pt. 2 “The bad news we were born in sin. The Good news we can be born again.”

To Sin,

Read carefully SIN, because I wrote this just for you. I’m not a slave to you anymore. I have been born again. My evil addiction to you is far from overdue, and I want you to know your time is up. I regret that it has taken me so long to stage this coup. But I’m fed up and I’m not going to deal with you any more. I have been set free, and I can now live in righteousness.

I want you to know my hatred is strong for you. You try and stomp out the Spirit. You and the flesh must go, because my love for God is greater than my desire for you. I remember thirsting for you but you make me thirst for Him less. Now I thirst for something much greater. I thirst for Christ and living water now. You may win a battle or two, but my God stands on the sidelines coaching me in the ways of Christ. He has the ultimate play book. He stands there making sure you don’t get out of control, making sure I can always handle you. You see he gave me the Spirit. Unfortunately for you the gift of the Spirit has enslaved you. It’s controlling you. Because of my eternal friend, the Spirit, I will crucify my flesh daily. I’m sick of the heartache and sick of the pain you carry. Everything is wrong with you. I’ve decided I’m not going to take it anymore. I’m no longer a slave to you.

I long for a divine romance, for a divine union. It’s game time, and you have been ejected from the game. I no longer hold on to you. Scripture will show you that you’re damned. I will not be condemned because of you. I’m born again. I’m not going to waste anymore time hanging out with you; you are what makes me hell bound. I no longer belong to you. I’m in college and it’s hard enough. Goodbye Sin!

Listen up world! I’m fed up! And I’m not going to take it anymore.

From Christians aka Warriors for Christ (Inspired by Lecrae – No More)

Well I was off of work for Jim Counts at Legacy Fencing for about five days. Today I went back to the grindstone. And it felt good to be in the sun again.

The college group has been at the grindstone, and I am proud to say we are doing well while our leader is gone. Clarence Adair took over Wednesday night’s study of the book of James and their was a lot of good discussion. Also, the individuals in the college group stepped up to the plate and dove into the Bible for leadership traits this past Sunday, as a result class was really productive. We’re doing well. We have much more to do though; I also have much more work to do. Christ desires so much, and I desire to fulfill His will. It feels so good to be at the grindstone.

I sure do miss good ole’ Seth Simmons though. I called him the other day and thought he would be back this past weekend. But he said he had only been gone a week. I was bummed out. It sure does feel longer than a week, feels kind of like a month. But nonetheless I will press on. I will be at the grindstone day in and day out, for Simmons, other soldiers of Christ, the lost, but most of all my King and Creator, Jesus Christ. Won’t you join me at the grindstone for Christ?

If my last few posts have been downers at all I apologize. It’s just the state of the world has been on my heart lately. My heart goes out to this lost, dying, and spiritually poor world. I think God is molding my heart for missions. I have been looking around seeing profanity in quotes on facebook, seeing a love for alcohol, money, drugs, and sex. Seeing my eternal family slipping away. It’s wretched. I look around and instead of seeing someone with money and walking normally on the streets, I picture their spiritual status and I see a beaten, bloodied, and mangled family member limping in the streets. It’s awful. We’re being massacred.

The massacre started at Eden. Adam and Eve just didn’t know the power they were up against. We’ve got a problem. People are separated from the Father and they are lost without Him. They just don’t know the power they are up against. Satan ushers his demons straight out of Hell toward us; making sure they know us remaining ignorant of the massacre is essential. I’m telling you if not reminding you of this massacre. We have to wake up. Some might say, “It’s not that urgent.” I beg to differ. Whether you see the urgency or not. It is there. Just like regardless of whether you hear the Father’s voice or not. It is still there. Is it not urgent for someone who has been shot in the stomach to get to a hospital. The same thing is happening here one Earth. Except they are spiritual bullets. We are so hung up on what we physically see, that we don’t see people’s spiritual status. We look at rich, young, successful business women and men, or professional athletes as in good health. Ask yourself are they spiritually healthy? Do they have what really matters? Some may look young and healthy but they are wounded and crying out. They are actually searching for something. You may think they have it all, but if they don’t have Christ, their poor and lost. We’re being massacred and so many don’t even know it. Let’s show them!

So often we don’t realize separating ourselves from the one with the awesome power is suicide. We can’t give up. This past week after my post First of My Challenges I spoke with a 22 year old Mexican man, named Pillo, about Christ. I saw his desire to change. I know he is searching. He has had a hard life. But I know what I am up against unlike Adam and Eve. I pray Pillo opens up to God. I have to try and stop this massacre. WE have to try and stop this massacre. Let us take up arms together.

Genesis Chapter 3 is undoubtedly our darkest hour. Titled The Fall. A serpent who was more crafty than any other beast of the field slithered into our lives. We were told not to do one thing, and that was eat from a tree. We failed. Since then all men have been born as heathens. We are all depraved, and easily deceived. We deserve eternal heat. We’re all sinners, who on that day instantly changed our fate. God multiplied the pain of childbearing because of our decision, now thorns and thistles spring forth from the Earth, and now we live by the sweat of our own brow.

We would have probably fell too, thats the shame of it. We are our own curse. It’s a shame we left ourselves out in the cold with that decision. It’s a dilemma man alone can’t get out of. We are all sick with a disease known sin. The good news is we have a cure, and that cure is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He can cure this sickness known as sin. Traces of the disease will always linger, because we just can’t rid it from our bodies. Destined to damnation without Him, we are guaranteed to all fall short (Romans 3:23). But it’s ok, it’s beautiful that we deserve nothing yet we can still make it, by the grace and mercy of God we can make it. Thank you God for your Son. Thank you for the opportunity to give the world an antidote for sin. I pray we don’t fail miserably on this one. I pray we run to the shelter you give, and that we never forget the power and capabilities you have.

If you ever need to be humbled read this post. Remember we are nothing without God. He can do this without us, but he chooses to watch over us and to be our Savior. Remember He loved you first.

(Inspired by Trip Lee – Good News Pt. I) “I said The Bad News we were born in sin: The Good News we can be born again!”