Have you ever thought about death as beautiful? I haven’t really considered the concept of a beautiful death. Yeah I have thought about how beautiful it will be to meet our Maker. I remember how it feels to be in prayer… and to never want to get up off the floor… longing for the touch of Christ… crying because it’s not my time to see Him yet. Yeah I have felt like that, but never have I really sat down and thought about how beautiful it is to die to myself and be born again in Christ.

When you read this I ask that you close the door. Read each sentence and meditate on it, remember your experiences with Christ. Take your time. Try to remember when you have felt the glory of Christ. And remember how beautiful it was. Remember how good it felt, how complete you were. Close your eyes and pray. Let Christ come over you. Thank him for a beautiful death.

Remember the craving you feel for God after you’ve felt the Spirit move through a room. Remember the times you’ve noticed a change in yourself for the better due to Christ. Remember the times when you realized an experience that was so awful had Christ and a huge plan behind it all along. Remember the times when you’ve closed your eyes at night and felt the search for love is over because you have Jesus. Remember the times when you have been tempted, and you passed the test. It’s so beautiful, when you realize the pleasures of this world mean nothing. When you feel God stretching His hand over a group of people.

Christ died for us, who are the depraved, and it is simply beautiful.

What a blessing it is to know you have purpose, to know the search is over, to look around you and see other Christian soldiers standing next to you, to know you won’t be left alone ever again. You are dearly loved.

The loss of our sin is our gain and it is so beautiful. What a beautiful death. To die to self and live for Christ.

I’ve grown up in a military family and as of now I’m planning on being a chaplain in the military for a minimum of four years (requirement of my scholarship), I’m not sure what God will lead me to after that. War has and will always have a certain fascination to me. Therefore it makes sense that it helps me to view my time here on Earth as a battle. The Bible itself makes this life out to be a war; and the idea of being on a battlefield pumps me up.

We forget that we have been plunged into a world of spiritual violence. Bullets are fired and its obvious Earth is losing. We have been baptized in the fire of combat whether we accept it or not. Whether we embrace the warrior within or not, it is there. And this warrior desires to fight, to free prisoners of war. We hold the key that is Jesus Christ. We must show the World that Christ is the key to salvation, that our Savior gives us life and purpose.

May we forever overcome evil with good. Demons savor what they believe is their meal to come, that meal is our souls. They scratch and claw at the opportunity to corrupt souls. They long to inject diseases from hell into our hearts; selfishness, lust, envy, prejudice, and much more. We can’t surrender to the King Heathen’s ideas. We must overcome evil with good.

Our greatest glory is to die for our Savior; to die for the cause of Christ. I don’t mean just physically, I’m talking emotionally and mentally as well. I’m talking about full submission to the will of God. To die to this world and live for Christ. May the drive to please Christ, force us to fight for him.

Strive for perfection. One fleshly desire can cause us to stumble and fall. May we stand firm up under the mighty hand of God. We must wrestle with the demon Satan. We can and will win only if we allow Christ to be in our lives. We won’t succeed on our own. We have to quit trying to do it alone. It doesn’t make sense for one soldier to fight millions? So quit doing just that. The Beast and his army marches. They are on the war path. It’s time for us to suit up, to take up the cross. It’s time to fasten the belt of truth, strap on the breastplate of righteousness, put on the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace, take up the shield of faith, take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God (Ephesians 6:14-17). Pray at all times seeking guidance. We must seek out the weaknesses of the beast that lurks in the darkness of this world. The beasts weakness is us showing the love of Christ and spreading the gospel to all the world. May we rid ourselves of our desires. This Earth and its beauty can be a curse to us, if we envy it and desire it more than our Heavenly Father. May God be the only thing we embrace.

May we never forget this is what we are called to do; to be soldiers of Christ. We are freed slaves that are here to strike fear into the hunters of men’s souls. Christ will stand next to us, keeping an eye on the battle. Making sure the battle doesn’t get out of hand, making sure Satan doesn’t give us more than we can handle. We can win. Make it your profession to bring people to Christ. I’m not saying be a preacher, or minister. You can do whatever and still make your profession bringing Christ to the lives of the lost. Embrace trials and learn from them. Our job is to recruit soldiers, for this World War.

This is a World War between spiritual forces. Who do you fight for? I vow to become a spiritual warrior. Slicing and hacking away at the vines that hold my beloved brethren back. I ask only that you join me in this World War!

I have decided that periodically I am going to make a really short post of a challenge for the day or maybe for the week. The challenge will always be something I feel I need to work on. That being said, the challenges can and will vary and they will have a huge range of subjects because I am so young in the faith and have so much to work on.

The first challenge I am going to give us, myself, and Christians in general is simple. It is to face your fear or whatever keeps you from speaking of Christ for the upcoming day. We will build from there. Not that we shouldn’t challenge ourselves daily and not just when I make a post. But the challenge is to speak to at least one person about the God you serve TODAY. And if you are reading it late at night. I Challenge you to speak to someone about Christ the following day.

Well, our leader Seth Simmons is gone off to summer camp for a few weeks and I feel like I already miss him. Tonight the group had class without him and we talked about leadership and what it takes to be a good leader. Just a little brainstorming tonight. This coming week we decided that we would dive into the Bible for examples of leadership qualities that are desirable and then we will share what we found. What are traits that you think good leaders have?

We talked about what our hopes are for the next school year, and we are praying for something big. I myself am praying for something so big it’ s destined to fail without God! I must take full advantage of the time I have this summer to dedicate toward my relationship with Christ. I have got to get back into the groove of things. Because trying to do just that when school starts is to difficult and irresponsible. I have a lot I believe Christ will be doing, and I have to prepare for a harvest! I know I said this a few posts back, but I am going to begin posting everyday once again. Blogging really helps me stay focused on God. When I know I’m going to write a post I’m always more open and alert for what Christ is saying to me.

Seth told me one time that Christ is like a radio. I can turn it on and listen to what he has to say. Or I can turn the volume down and decide not to listen. I have complete control of whether I listen or not and how loud I decide to allow God’s voice to be in my life. If I decide to turn it completely off. God will still be speaking, I just won’t be tuned into the station.

I feel like I’m kind of everywhere with this post and I’m sorry, but I just wanted to share a little of what is going on. Until tomorrow.

Fanaticism is marked by excessive enthusiasm and often intense uncritical devotion. Winston Churchill said, “A fanatic is one who can’t change his mind and won’t change the subject.” That is how we should be. Never turning in shame and always on the subject of Christ. We are too afraid to speak about Christ. We are too afraid of the persecution that comes from a life lived for Christ.

The world sees evangelical Christians as narrow minded fanatics with a mythical mission. They call evangelists extreme for sharing their faith. But it’s cool. God never gives us more than we can handle, we can always carry the weight. Without Christ we’re all destined to hell. Earth doesn’t realize their losing the battle! We must realize it and we better fight for their souls. Remember, Christ did not suggest to us that we should spread the gospel to all the world. He commanded it.

Remember when you are persecuted that Christ himself told us, “A servant is no greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you,” (John 15:20). Know that as evangelical Christians we will be persecuted. People will look into our eyes and tell us with no shame that we are insane, that we are too spiritual, and that we do too much. Some of the world will hate the very one who came to save them. The shame of it is that these words may come from our own families. Even then, words can’t keep us from being fanatic! In the days of Christ some thought He was out of his mind, so they mocked him, considered him a cult leader, and then tried to stop Him. They crucified Him. They will persecute us. It’s inevitable, and they will do it because of what we proclaim. They will do it because they don’t realize what we are called to do. We must pass the phrase, “Jesus is Lord!” We must keep moving, we must press on. Souls count on our ability to press through discrimination. Let the funny looks and the whispers keep coming. We ought to never stop spreading truth. We are among the chosen. We need to realize it’s an honor to be used by the Christ! It’s an honor to spread the gospel! He hung, beaten and broken on a cross for our sin. Without Him we are sinking in flames. He is the only one who can distinguish the flames of the evil one.

Through us, the Spirit given to us by God, will allow us to overcome evil with good. Do not be overcome by evil (Romans 12:21). Bless those who persecute you (Romans 12:14). Show them the love of Christ, and forever live in the light. Never forget we win if we tell the truth and hearts are changed. We win if we’re rejected because of His name. We win if seeds are planted, watered, and begin to grow.

Remember, Christ has paid the bill with His own blood, there is no reason for us to be ashamed anymore. What is it you are ashamed of? What makes being a follower of Christ so beautiful is that we are never worthy, yet we are still and will always be accepted by our Lord. We can just as we are and let him change us.

All the world won’t get it. In fact most of it won’t. They don’t have to receive us but we must follow our God and let the Spirit lead us. We can’t stop. We represent Christ. Understand that we were burdened, but we are now free. So spread the word of God without shame. I want you who read this to know that I am not just writing this for you. I wrote it for me as well. I am weak when it comes to evangelism. I pray you are challenged by what I have written. I hope you get upset about the world and the state it is in enough to give your lives to Christ. Put simply my whole life I have been afraid of persecution. I have to turn my fears over to Christ. I will no longer turn in shame. I will change, not on my own of course! I will let the savior, creator, our lord, king, and our leader Christ Jesus change me. I will become a fanatic! Will You!?

I previously mentioned Zach Richard in a post. He’s a guy I met for the first time in Mazatlan, he’ll be a Senior this year at Greenbrier High. As of now, he plans on coming to UCA. I had no idea what Christ would do for me through Zach and his family.

I’m not even sure where to start because it seemed Christs hands were in so much. So… I’ll just mix it up a little bit. More than likely I’ll have to put one more post up about Zach and his little brother Zane. But it’s all good. I just want to share.

The night before we went to feed the children of Mexico; Zach, his sister Summer, little brother Zane, my sister Audrey, and myself were playing cards. We were talking about what the morrow would bring. And Zach caught me a little off guard when he said, “I don’t want to go because it will just make me feel bad,” I told him it would be a good experience and it would be something worth our time. The next day I watched Zach open up to these kids. He took so many pictures of the little kids. At first they didn’t want their picture taken. Then when they realized it wasn’t so bad they started asking Zach to see every picture he took. They were so fascinated. Zach embraced these children, they embraced him, and I saw Christ grip Zach’s heart. Zach let Him bring out the soft side, and I got to witness it. Seeing something like that was simply overwhelming. That day, both Zach and I had to take a moment to get ourselves together. Christ can be overwhelming.

These kids were so rough on each other. Most of their families struggled to eat, and that is exactly why we were there. There was also a health clinic that was put on in the building next to our mobile kitchen. Families got to get free medical attention which is rare for them and they got to eat which is also a struggle. The little boys were always hitting and fighting, and if we didn’t show them right from wrong. There was no one around watching them and showing them domestic ways to live. They don’t receive the guidance or the love we do while growing up. Oh how I wish everyone who reads this could have seen the change in these little kids. How they embraced those of us who were right there next to them trying to understand them. They just need someone to love on them. I believe everyone has good in them. These kids along with every one else in the world just need to be shown love so they know its ok and its safe to give love back. That it’s safe to take the defenses down. In these children’s lives “Might makes Right.” The small and weak have to be strategic in their ways so they don’t get crushed by the strong.

My favorite kids were the ones that were the smallest. I would care for them all. But I gave special attention to the weak because they needed a break. Someone was picking on this one little boy. He came running to me and Zach because he knew we would protect him. We were his refuge. It was such a good feeling to be able to protect him, and to see him run to me. I pray we realize God will always be our refuge. We can always run to him for shelter, no matter what we have done he will always wrap his arms around us and squeeze, simply glad we are there.

It broke my heart when I heard one of the little children ask Zach in Spanish when we were coming back to see them. He and I both knew we might not ever see them again, if we do it won’t be for a year. We had to tell them we didn’t know. The truth silently broke our hearts.

Only one or two children spoke English so the majority of the time it was really hard to talk to them. But it didn’t matter. We just wanted to care for them, to show them Christ, and they ate it up. They couldn’t get enough of us. They embraced us. It was funny to watch them get their picture taken. Zach would stand there saying, “sonrie” which is smile in Spanish, then when the children knew the picture was taken. They would run to him and overwhelm him jumping up at his feet asking to see the picture. I hope we never forget Christ just wants to love on us, and I hope we have the courage and the ability to open up and let him in. I don’t feel I can describe my experience and give it justice. But I pray you at least caught a glimpse of what I saw, in my writing. I will never forget the experience.

I’m back from an amazing time in Mexico and am ready to get back into blogging. It sure has been a while. Dos bloggers is back to the Tres bloggers Mr Dobbs and I’m excited about my return. Now about Mexico.

May 28 to June 4, I was in Mazatlan, Mexico having a blast. My family and friends stayed at Pueblo Bonito, a spectacular hotel only a stones throw from the ocean. The trip was mainly a bunch hanging out by the pool, but one day we went and worked with a Church of Christ in Mazatlan (I’ll talk about my fulfilled experience with the children in Mexico tomorrow on the next post). I will say this much, we fed over 300 people that day and gave out lots of food bags that had enough supplies to support a family for a week. It was a very touching experience. My new and amazing friend Zach Richard were touched by Christ many times that day. I will never forget the Richard family whom I met for the first time that blessed week. I was with a great group of people. Some of which I had the opportunity to talk about our Savior Jesus Christ.

One day I went deep sea fishing. I had so much fun. The first spot we went to out in the deep blue we only caught five or six fish. Needless to say the next fishing hole we couldn’t get our lines in the water fast enough. On the morning Mark Jennings, Paul Richard, and I caught 36 fish. It is a time I will never forget. Thanks again Mr Richard and Mr Jennings for taking me out, and thanks for paying my way Mr Jennings.

I would like to say that before I left for Mexico, I wasn’t sure whether or not God wanted me to go on the trip. I was skeptical. But I have no regrets and I realize Christ wanted me to be there. I have thanked God daily since I have returned for my experiences, the new people I met that week, and the times I got to see Christ work in the lives of my friends and family.

I’ll tell you more about what I saw Christ doing on the trip tomorrow.

This week my Thursday night, Friday, and Saturday morning was spent with some of my homies in Tyronza, Arkansas. A lot of you are probably thinking, “I’ve never heard of Tyronza.” You probably haven’t and never would have had I not mentioned it. It is a tiny town with one street, two restaurants, one gas station, and I don’t think I saw much else, it seems as though it takes approximately 30 seconds to drive through it. But no matter the town, who cares what all there is to do, that is beside the point. It’s about being there for each other. Jeff Woods one of my brothers in Christ wanted some of the gang; myself, Mason Puckett, and Neil Holman to come down and hang out. It sounded like a good idea. What could be better then spending time in the presence of your Brothers and Sisters in Arms. I always have fun hanging out with the gang, and it’s always a pleasure to go to Tyronza for Jeff.

We jumped on the trampoline, watched Jeff do some dirty work, met his father, got to see his mom again, hung out with his little brother Noah, who’s seven (he’ll be cool like his bro. when he gets older), ate some of Jeff’s food, watched some basketball, played some basketball (Mason and I got whooped by Neil and Jeff), relaxed, enjoyed one another’s company, watched a movie or two, felt the presence of Christ, and did some blogging.

Fellowship can be so great. When we are together, we can lift one another up. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: if one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!”

Does God not call us to carry each others burdens (Galatians 6:2), does Jesus not command the rich man to love his neighbor as himself (Mathew 19:19).

When we are together we have the ability to sharpen one another, to aid one another and give each other insights, gifts, and testimonies of God’s work in our lives. Proverbs 27:17 “Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”

I hope to visit Jeff in Tyronza again soon.

Seth Simmons has told me of a game he used to play with a friend. Where he and his friend would randomly pic objects they saw in the room and then they would come up with spiritual applications for that object. Here recently, I have found myself trying to play the game often. I don’t feel I’m very good yet, but my mind is growing. I encourage you to try and play this spiritual game with yourself. If you play it consistently, it will help you to think of Christ, to see Him in the world daily.

Last night while I was laying down I started to play this game with myself. I looked around and saw a candle. Of course the first thing that came to my mind was fire. Individuals on fire for God, holy fire, burning with passion for Christ. I told myself that was way to basic, and then I thought about how a candle works. It has a fire, but a candle’s fire burns out after a short period of time. The wax melts away, and so does the whick. Then nothing is left. At first glance the candle was good, then I realized, it’s just too timid, and it’s life span is to short. And when the whick is gone the flame can never be rekindled.

I don’t want to be like a candle. I don’t want to ever lose my fire, my passion for Christ. I don’t want to ever be put out. Not by man, sin, Satan, desires, nothing. I want to be like an everlasting wildfire. I want to be forever out of control, I want my passion for the Holy One to spread uncotrollably. For everyone I come in contact with to be forced to think about Christ’s love. I want my walk to be a walk to remember. I desire to be exactly like an everlasting wildfire!

I want Him to reign over me, I want Him and only Him to issue the commands, He should be my only authority. I pray that I burn for Him. I want Christ to use me and my brothers and sisters as fuel for His fire. I pray that we forever burn at His mystery! That we forever yearn for His presence! That we forever long to hear His voice! May we be all be like everlasting wildfires.

2 Timothy 1:6-8 “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self discipline. So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord….”

Last night, after my Christian brother Mason Puckett and I left our buds Alex Hilburn, and Sanner Patton. We just started talking. We talked until about 6:00 A.M. this morning, just reminiscing. We talked about what we saw on the mission trip that was a week ago. We talked about how the relationship between each other has changed. How Mason and I used to know of each other but didn’t converse much. And now we take up arms together. We lead together, and it is an amazing thing. How God is changing us, changing our group. We see God’s many blessings, and it’s awesome. We truly are blessed.

We talked a little about what will happen after our outstanding leader Seth Simmons leaves. We believe it will be a time for our group to shine (not that we haven’t already). No doubt Seth has shown us the way, he has helped us establish a foundation in our Lord and Savior. Now we will be tested, and I embrace this challenge. I’m pumped and ready to see what we can achieve while Simmons is off in Iraq. Mason and I believe it is a great opportunity for leaders to step up to the cause of Christ. And we are really excited. We anxiously await the test that is so vividly in front of us.

Another thing Mason and I talked about was how it feels when the Holy Spirit moves through you. The feeling afterwards is phenomenal. It’s what I live for. We told each other, “Man, I can only imagine what it will be like. I mean seriously dude. How awesome is it going to be finally meeting our maker,” (added a little surfer accent). Can you fathom what waits for us after we die? I’m really excited about what waits for me after this life! I hope you are too! Oh how I long to be with my God! How I long to see you all there!