I just wanted to give thanks to God for His many prevalent graces in my life. Take for instance today, I was so discouraged by the discontinuation of a mission that my brothers and I in the apartment, had set out to do even before the outset of our studies this year, that I asked God, "I am so discouraged, please let someone give me some kind of encouragement today, for I don't know if I can go on." One reason was the great sway of materialism in our apartment. It is so easy for five guys to just hang out with no contact to the world whatsoever...and play video games, watch TV and videos, and whatever else. I had no way at all to confront my friends, so in my morning prayer I just gave it all up to God. Well. He doesn't always answer immediately, because I was even more discouraged at my lack of grammar skills, pointed out to me in Hermeneutics class. Anyway, I just kept giving it to God. Well, after class I was walking with Kyle (a friend) and laughing with him about some guys who had previously made an "interesting" comment (and I shall say nothing else). He then told me of my unwavering joy and personality and how "I never let anyone slow me down." Next, after I was done with my devotions Jayson came in with a Word of God and he also encouraged me, and on top of that he settled the point that on Thursdays we need to stop doing "whatever" and start the Bible Study that we set out to have before the beginning of our studies this year.

One would think that being in an apartment with four called ministers (each called to Pastoral, Youth, Children’s, and Music ministries might I add) and a PK would be easy. Not necessarily, because that stinkin' devil don't want no revival happen’n like last year. Nevertheless El Shaddi the Lord Almighty is our God and He will prove victorious and we can tell him "too bad you big bad wolf" or "shut up'a yo face" as would be said in Jive. I praise God for his answers to prayer. Have a nice day. :)

God is still being good to me and He is working in my life. I really want Him to appear in my studies and I want to give them to Him. I don't want to be a conformer of this world, which I believe that this school is like in many aspects, and so I don't want to give the answers that every one wants, but what will be in accordance with radical discipleship.

I like this author Thomas Cahill. Here is one of the great statements that he has said in his book "How the Irish Saved Civilization"...
"In the Gospel story, the passionate, the outsized, the out-of-control have a better shot at seizing heaven than the contained, the calculating, and those of whom this world approves"
I think that on the most part if not all, he is accurate. Yesterday the Alumni came to MVNU and a couple were awarded for their outstanding accomplishments. I am not sure though how much of this was done for the purpose of just wanting to fallow after Christ. I also don't necessarily want to be number one in this world or maybe in the Christian community. I have often envisioned myself speaking to masses, and even people have confirmed that. On the other hand, I do not wish to do this if it means being first approved of people with worldly perspectives, but only approved through a lens a want for radical discipleship.
Cahill talks about St. Patrick as one who stepped out of the world of civilization and into the world of the "barbarians" to be an apostle of Christ. Not even the Apostle Paul did this, he says, though I will add, as to not discredit him, that he felt a call to the Roman civilization and his longing was that that even his fellow Jews in the Diaspora, would come to know God, which is only found in civilized society of the Mediterranean world. What an incredible accomplishment for Patrick, for he reached out and evangelized almost the whole of Ireland. The story, however is even cooler, how God did such a thing and initiated this process is great and somewhat similar to the story of Paul.

Hey everyone. Hope your day is going well. I just want to praise God for the amazing encounter that I had with him last night. I was about to go to bed, and then...I didn't get to. It took an encounter with the forces of evil to have the encounter with God, but we worked together to get them taken care of. Over the past few days, God has been renewing my passion for him and my vision for my life here at Mt. Vernon. Lately I have gone through such a dry time. This is because I neglected my Love Jesus Christ. What a great and merciful Father we have in heaven. He was so patient with me and now I am back with him. Praise God. Here is a cool quote:

"When you set yourself on fire, people love to come and see you burn."

John Wesley