Update - Ramblings

In alot of my previous posts I say how I have struggled with devotions, can't pick them up, can't stay faithful, nothing. I've been praying about it, throughout those posts up until this day.. yesterday somethin came up.

So I got an ipod for Christmas, so I was on itunes, a program where I can download things onto the ipod, browsing around. Did you know that you can put podcasts on the ipods? Well obviously, you can! So I was looking at them and I found a whole bunch of sermons and different Bible studies, they are all free downloads! So I downloaded like three different sermons to my ipod.

I've noticed many times that I just plainly spend way too much time online, or on the computer in general. I've tried to come away from it, but it doesn't always work out. I've tried to limit my time, that doesn't last longer than the first day. I'm almost positive that this has got to be the reason for my unfaithfulness in devotions, all my time is given to my computer! These podcasts were the answer God brought to my attention! Coo, eh?

Maybe, just maybe, the answer isn't totally getting away from the computer, although it would be good. What I do is put in my earphones, and play these podcasts while I browse the internet. It's soo simple! When I start listening, i'm brought into a thinking process, and find myself hungry for more. So I wind up leaving my computer anyways to take notes and such!

I have faced a few times over the past few days that I just felt like scum, really far from God! Maybe it's testing? Whatever it is, I think I defeated it. I won the battle! I didn't lose my temper, I didn't even give up my devotional time because of my not 'feeling like' doing them!

I'm really excited! And felt the urge to share this with... well... you, I guess! :)

If you have prayed for me, thank you very much! There is something about it when somebody lifts another person's hard times and situations before our All-Powerful God! Its nothing to be overlooked, and nothing to be looked down upon! Miracles happen when we come before God with a sincere heart about anything, anyone. I genuinely THANK you your prayers.

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OH I almost forgot.. I'm not sure wether it was sunday school, my dad's sermon, or somewhere else where this was bought to my attention. But anyway...

Acts 9 talks about Saul's conversion. He was still a threat to the Christians, and a killer of them! While he was traveling from one place to another, God Himself confronted him, ordered him to go to the city. Saul was blind, and for three days he didn't eat or drink anything.

In Damascus, a man called Ananias was also confronted by God. God told him to go and meet Saul in the city... his responce to this could be seen as "Say what? Don't you know who he is?" But none the less, Ananias obeyed!

If you think about it, Saul wasn't much different than Saddam Hussien. In this perspective, there are a few awesome points to this story. Ananias had great enough faith to meet Saul and help him recieve God's forgiveness, and Saul was forgiven! His name was even changed! God gave Saul a 'clean slate'. God loved Saul, so he gave him the name Paul, a whole new reputation, a clean slate! Paul then started his new life in Jesus, not even confronting the priests or the others, God went right to work in him! Compare Saul & Paul...two completely different people. Only by the power of God could this happen!!

Liek Saul, God wants to give us a clean slate. Our names might not be changed, and we might not have previously been a threat, but none the less, we arent perfect. God provides a way out. I see the new year as a clean slate. But there are specific ones! If anybody reads this, think of how God gives you clean slates. What ways? What reasons? How do you react?

God wants us to see His immediate reaction to our immediate obedience. But for this, we have to have immediate obedience! Do it, don't sit back and think. God's provided a way out, take it and run for the finish line all the more!! I thank you for your patience if you actually read all of my ramblings...
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I just have one request, be with me in specific prayer for this world.

James 1

'Lord, open my mind and my heart to the things I read this day. Share with me Your wisdom to understand, and diligence to apply your word, daily. In the name of Christ, and in the will of God I ask."

James 1 -click to read

Things to think on;

Don't let temptation and trials and troubles get the best of you. Instead, get the best of them! (2-8)
When you recieve Scripture, apply it, act on it! Don't let it go in one ear and out the other. (22-25)
God doesn't tempt us, temptation is our own evil desires at work within us. (13-14)


"When troubles come your way, welcome them as teachers, nomatter how unpleasant they may be. Take advantage of your bad circumstances by depending on God to get you through hard times. He will not only take care of you, but He will make you a better person through it."

(Quote taken from 'One Year Through the Bible')

Hurt

There can't be much worse than having your child treat you like dirt after you raise the child in a good Christian home, and love him over-abundantly.

One thing that seems to compete well though, is being the other son; Watching my parents treat Jeremy more lovingly with each passing day - as he accepts their good gifts, walking away telling lies about them dishonoring them to others.. for my parent's to accidently find those very conversations. He knows the things he does wrong, and says he will work on it. We've forgiven him everytime he asked it, we put in the past the thing's he's done to us!!! This is still going on.

I'm not speaking cruely about my brother.. Im hurt!! And I'm soo worried about him. We've prayed and prayed for God to take control. We wait, and wait, knowing that in God's time, God willing, it will be. It just get's worse though. Me and Brennen hurt when we see our parent's with broken hearts!!

Please don't speak or even think badly about my family, including Jeremy. I really needed to vent and this seems to be real private. I hope.

Please keep my family in your prayers.