Is it worth it?

So I'm sitting here trying to do an assignment which is due at midnight. I was suppose to have a peer review an assignment from last week no one did so I'm stuck on what to do. If I'm lucky my professor will respond to an email in a couple weeks which will be to late to turn in the assignment so I sit here thinking is it really worth it? Is it worth it to have my bachelors degree and the certificates to teach and become a coach? I have many friends, to many friends who have their degrees and certificates to teach but can't find a job because the government can manage a budget and is cutting back on education and not paying our military but we can bail out private companies and we can pay people who don't want to help themselves. Is it worth it? I have gone to school 18 or 19 of my 24 years of living. I have been in college 5 of the last 6 years I have 2 associates degrees and I'm currently working on my Bachelors. I have taken classes to be a Physical therapist, a therapists assistant, an RN and now a teacher. I was just ask by a friend "What do you wanna be if you ever grow up?" I thought about it for a second and here is an honest answer I want to be a man of God, a loving husband, a good father, a good role model to those around me, and a person who makes an impact benefitting The Kingdom. I'm pretty sure that if I was to look in a school catalog there isn't a degree plan or classes that I can take to help me with those. I have heard that the world is going to end in my lifetime that The Son will return soon. Now we don't know that for sure but if it is then the harvest is more important then school and a degree. So many "grown ups" that I know that do have degrees aren't doing anything in the field that their degree is in. Many of my friends that I went to school with haven't been able to find jobs in their field so they are stuck on what to do next the one thing they have been set on for the last 4 years of their life isn't there so they go back to school to do something else or they just sit and wait hoping for something better than what they have. It just makes me wonder is it worth dealing with all this stress? I would much rather be broke and enjoy what I'm doing then be wealthy and miserable. I feel like having a college degree is required from my family and I look back and say well I have two but are they going to look down upon me for not having a bachelors. As a follower of Christ it's my job to represent Jesus on this earth until his return. The most important things I have ever done in my life have been when I was sharing the Gospel summer of 2008 in Juarez Mexico with an organization called Casas por Cristo and since the summer of 2006 when i started volunteering in Childrens ministry at Trinity Fellowship Church. Being able to see changes in peoples lives when they begin a relationship with Jesus is the most amazing thing. I want to be able to share that feeling with so many more people. Now the questions are...Do I need a degree for that, will having a degree help? So now the question is what do I do next? The answer lies in Him I just have to seek him out and sit and listen I know that but its so difficult for me. All I know is I want to follow the path that he has me. If that means stepping on toes to get there I'm not sorry. If you think I should be then you need to get something checked. As I begin this journey Prayers and advice are greatly appreciated. So please stop me the next time you see me walking, email me, comment on here, call me, text me, facebook me I don't care. Input would be nice one way or the other

Busy life

Man oh man life is crazy. Trying to stay caught up is a challenge. Im not complaining I love a good challenge but i think I'm at the point where if I want to stay healthy and sane I'm going to have to start saying No. This is a word that isn't typically in my vocabulary and those of you who really know me know this. But get ready I think its going to become my favorite word for the next couple of weeks. Now there are things that I have committed to that I am not going to turn my back on. But as far as new things I'm going to have to say No. Im stretching myself very thin and making myself tired and on the brink of getting the bugs everyone else has luckily I have been blessed with a good immune system and haven't caught anything, but I don't want to push my luck. Between coaching baseball, playing softball, school, work, attempting to train, and volunteering at church I don't have much time to myself to spend in The Word or spend with friends. That needs to change and the quickest way is for me to say No to anything new. Hope you understand when I say I'm sorry but I can't that I really am sorry I would love to help it just isn't wise for me to.

Heart Broken

Wednesday night Xtreme (the 5th, 6th, and 7th grade ministry I volunteer in) had what we called a ministry night. Our worship band led a few songs and then the leaders split into 3 groups of prayer, (Healing, Prophetic, General) I was ask to be in the general group so thats where I went. As the leaders went to our stations Pastor Adam told the kids that we(the leaders) want to pray for them if they want healing, or an encouraging word or if they just want prayer over nothing in specific. but we wanted them to go to atleast 2 of the groups. I begin praying for these students one by one. A friends science project, grades, school, a dog, wanting to be closer to God (in my opinion typical stuff for their age then I have 2 students come up to me and ask me to pray for them one is having emotional problems is what she tells me and as I look at her she tells me "I cut myself" Not what I was expecting to come out of her mouth but I say ok Lets pray...God is so good I did not have a clue what to say to that young girl but He did and his words came out of my mouth on fire, another young lady comes up to me and says "My mom is a drug dealer and my dad is in prison for the rest of his life for murder and Im seperated from my brother" Again this is not what I was expecting Im fighting back tears so that I can let God work, His spirit flow through me and minister to these kids. I have been blessed to not have to come across difficulties like they have to be honest im not sure I would have been able to handle that when I was there age. My heart broke for these girls and as I type this tears are coming to my eyes. What did they do to get this life they have been dealt I find myself asking that question. There was also a young boy that one of the other leaders prayed for that came to her and said I just want to be able to eat every night. That should be happening anywhere much less Amarillo. Why them Lord? They are dealing with things that most people in the United States don't have to deal with. and add to the fact that these kids are 11 and 12 years old. Its so sad to see, I ask the Lord to "break my heart for what breaks yours" I think this is just a glimpse and I can barely handle it. But I want more I want to be able to do more.

I can't get these kids out of my mind and I had to put this out there if you read this please send prayers their way. That the Holy Spirit would come down on them like nothing that could ever dream up on their own, and they would know Gods love and that he is always there.

Discipline

Discipline, this is what we have been teaching our kids in Xtreme this month. When we break up into small groups I have them give me the definition for discipline - training that teaches one to obey rules and control one's behavior. Its funny the more I talk to these kids about discipline the more and more I realize I need more discipline in my life. I am by no means a saint nor do I pretend to be with these kids. I don't have a quiet time everyday like I should I don't read my bible as often as I should I don't study near as much as I should and to be quite honest I do a lot of stupid things that I know I probably shouldn't try (no not anything illegal) but things like taking jumps and running long distances without properly training and I have been very lucky to not get hurt or hurt much. But the more I talk to these kids the more I want to bring discipline into my life. Cut out the distractions and get closer to God like I was at one point in my life, then life got crazy busy and I put him on the back-burners for a while and put him up front only when in is convenient for me. But I have realized I can't do that. I need him to be first and for most the most important thing in my life for me to survive this crazy world but more importantly for me to survive this semester. I don't think I can recall a busier semester with all the things I have gotten myself involved in and all the things I want to do. Im also going to have to have discipline. Discipline to stick with my school work instead of making my way to Facebook, twitter or foursquare when Im on my homework. Discipline to read my bible every morning even if its for 5 minutes to start discipline to talk with God daily but even more important than that to listen to him and let him lead me and my life. Discipline in my training, Having 2 or 3 good runs a week, getting in the gym and getting my cross-training in or going out and getting a good cardio workout riding my bike around town or in the canyon. In Galatians 6:9 it says "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." You reap what you sow. If I study I'm going to make good grades, if i train properly I'm going to perform the way I want to, If i spend more time with God Im going to be happier because me and Him are going to be on the same page (meaning i will be in the same chapter, page, and word in the story of my life that he is and if I'm with him then I'm in the right spot which is good enough for me.

So if you read this I encourage you to ask me if I am being disciplined in my life, most importantly with my relationship with Jesus but also in those other areas of my life. You will be able to tell if I'm lying because I have been told by many that I'm a horrible liar.

2 Timothy 4:1-5

1. I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom. 2. preach the word; be ready in and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 3. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4. and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. 5. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

I have been thinking about this scripture for the last few days. "Be ready in AND out of season" What does that mean? I have been looking at this and I have heard some peoples opinions on this and I would love to hear yours but for me at this moment this is my thoughts

In and out of season be ready. Don't just be ready to talk about Jesus and God only in "Church" settings i.e. Small groups, Church homes lifegroups, at church on mission trips or trips with the Church. Be ready when you are out eating dinner with friends, on a ski lift with a random person, at work, school. Wherever you are be ready to proclaim Jesus as Savior. You are going to be giving opportunities when you least expect them be ready.

We are in a day and age that there are so many churches that people can attend that so many of us don't go to church to hear the word, we go to church to hear what we want to hear. Don't fall into that stay. Stay sober-minded, be wise in your decisions, God Never says following him is going to be easy Joshua 1:5 "...I will never leave you or forsake you" 2 Cor 4:9 "persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.", go OUT preach the word don't just keep it inside the walls of the church, in the early days there was not a building for Christians to meet Paul preached in markets and on city streets, Jesus preached outside on a mountain, we cant just limit ourselves inside a building with four walls we just can't. Fulfill your ministry, Everyone has a calling on their life, listen to God to find out what it is and live it out.

Like I said these are my thoughts I would Love to hear yours.

2010 in Review

So its a new year and everyone looks forward at whats next...I'm not everyone. So before I look ahead I want to take a second and look back at the past year and look at the path that I have taking the past year to get me to where I am now.

In 2010 I was able to do lots of things so many that im just going to bullet them.

I was able to be a part of 10 families being blessed with a home

I was a part of 2 middle school retreats

Went to the mountains for a week with my 5th and 6th graders

Made a PR for my 5k time

Ran my first 10k

Ran 3 half marathons

Worked 2 jobs

Got a 4.0 semester gpa for the first time

Took second place in a cross country bike race

Got my CHL

I did lots of traveling around the state of Texas.

Was a groomsmen in 3 weddings

Started Blogging

But I think the best thing that happen to me in 2010 was the friends that I made. Some of the strongest Christians I have come across that are my age. They are spread out all over the country but I hold them all close to my heart.

To those reading this thank you hope you can look back at what you have done and be proud of it. I know I am and can't wait to improve on that this year great things to come. I don't make many plans but here are a few things I would like to cross of my list

Run a Marathon

Get out of Debt

Invest in people

Dig into the word

Love God Love people

Know the Lord better

But most importantly I want to listen to the Lord and step into the calling he has on my life.

So I leave you with this verse something that I use to remind myself that I do have value.

Jeremiah 29:11-13 "¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. ¹² In those days when you pray, I will listen. ¹³ If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me."

Last week of 2010

So a little preface to this week. Tuesday before Christmas The mission organization which is dear to my heart posted this on Twitter "Team just added a 2nd home to their trip for next week. That brings 2010's total to 199. You know you want to be home 200! We're ready 4 U!" My thought was how cool would it be to be part of this 200th house. But I didn't think it was going to be possible. But God is good! Soooo Good! The next morning I get a DM that was simple "call me ASAP" and gave me a number to call. It was my friend Shane Spears. Someone had donated the money needed for this 200th house now he just needed to come up with the team to do it. I was already heading to Juarez to build with another team but I was willing to go wherever I was needed.

Ok so here we start its Sunday Dec. 26th and I'm headed to El Paso with a good friend and a new friend. Kyle and Hope respectively. After taking a wrong turn we finally made it to El Paso in about 8 hours instead of the 6 we had originally planned on. But all is well. we were in El Paso and they had a team to join in the morning so we grabbed dinner and went to bed.

Monday we begin the day having to wait for keys to a vehicle so we can cross over and meet the Casas Rep for their team in Mexico. Makes us about 40 minutes late but thats ok. We get the slab poured, wood cut, walls built and now its time for me to say goodbye to my friends and head back to the states. That evening I got to meet all the guys that I'm building with, most of them I had met this summer because they were Interns but there were a couple more that none of us had met but we all soon became friends. Also that night I was able to hang out with a bunch of girls that I had built with over spring break. I call them my Olivet girls or K'State girls. This was the team I was suppose to be building with.

Tuesday we were up early before bright thought about showing itself. This was a day that God showed himself in so many ways that I just hope I can do it justice. Aside from all the ragging that the boys were giving me it was a really chill group. Hard workers and a fun bunch. We arrive at our site and what do we find? How about we go with what we don't find, like 12ft boards and a door to start. So we make a call and are told that the confused our build date with a team that is coming on the 30th but we will have some shortly. So we sift sand and cut all our other boards everything that we can do before laying the frame. When we finished that and still didn't have our 12 ft boards we decided to borrow boards from the Kstate team. Our cement truck wound up being an hour and a half late. So I was able to assist the wildcats with their slab. A blessing of our truck being late there was so much extra that we were able to help our single moms parents pour some of their floor that they are working on for more rooms in their home that had been volcanoing all day but we were able to give them what was left over which was about an 8x8 floor. We finished our slab and then called it a night.

Wednesday we again start the day of early and have the walls up black boarded, top row of Chicken wire and electrical done by 10. Like I said we had a very hard working and good team. The family then brought us out donuts and coffee. After getting the roof up I made it over to the Wildcats site to see how they were doing and help them out a little if necessary. They were a little short in the height and strength department. So I helped them get the roof up then returned to my build. Sheetrock goes up and the day is over. So at this point all we have left is a few pieces of sheet rock, electrical outlets and stucco. As we are preparing to leave the family informs us that they have cooked us dinner. So we called the The wildcats and told them they could have our dinner we had ordered and we would pay for it. trust me they were ok with it. Josues is some of the best you can get in Juarez.

Last day was a breeze we were finished had our tools put up and began dedication by noon it was a great feeling being able to be a past of a family receiving keys to their new home and the Love of jesus being bestowed upon them. After again having donuts and coffee again that morning and then Asado in Celebration for lunch heres a little something for you to look at. Just don't drool on your keyboard.

I know amazing right! Looking at the pictures and I can taste it all over again.

After the amazing lunch a few of us went and helped the other team do the finishing touches on their house and hung out with them that night staying at Verdad Y Vida (Truth and Life) with the wildcats. This was a fun experience playing Signs for 3 hours and only stopping because it was late and we had an early morning to come. Also getting snowed on while running to the Del Rio to get a propane tank was a new and fun experience.

New years Eve I got the privilege to join the wildcats in their house dedication. This was an experience i don't think I will ever forget. I have been a part of dedications where laying hands on the house occurs and even lots of prayer occurs. But this pastor took it up a notch. Placing oil on everyones hands then having us lay hands on the wall. He said the oil was the holy spirit protecting this new home from unwanted spirits he then went around in the circle and laid a hand upon each team member praying for them individually as well as praying for the individuals and families that were a part in raising the funds for the team.

This was an amazing week that ended with all of us hanging out in El Paso on New Years eve. Lots of friends were made and relationships built. I can only hope that I am able to run across this great group of people again.

As I close this post full of rambling I leave you with this scripture one that many people have heard

Psalms 127:1 "Unless the Lord builds the house, the work of the builders is wasted. Unless the Lord protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good"