An Easter Conviction

Good Friday…the day Jesus died on the cross. He carried the burden of the world on him, my sins. He did not have to, but he chose to because he knew how much the Father loved us. God  loved us so much that he sent his only son into this world to die on a cross for the sins of the people. Those people worshiped him when he did miracles and taught the law, but under the pressure of the world and selfish desires, they turned their backs on him and demanded he, the Messiah, be crucified. They spit on him, cursed him and gambled for his clothing. Those same people who rejoiced when he turned water into wine, healed the blind and the lepers and brought the dead back to live, now yelled and jeered at him, choosing to be blinded by his real mission on Earth. Now you make think, “Oh I would never be one of those people. I would never leave Christ’s side.” But would you? If under pressure, would you fall into the temptations of the world and pride? How would you feel to be one of the few standing at the foot of the cross and people were yelling at you? Would pride get to you? As I stood at the foot of the cross for Easter Pageant, mourning with Mary Magdalene, Salome, Mary and Martha, Johanna, Mary, the mother of James, and Mary, the mother of Jesus. I listened to the people screaming things at the Chosen One and at me. “Why do you worship this man?” “He’s on a cross and can’t save you now.” “Look there’s your Savior on a cross.” While all of that was just acting, I began to think that I wouldn't be standing here with these women, but would be in the middle of the crowd. Yelling at Christ and his faithful followers, not even thinking about how it must have hurt them and even worse, hurt Christ. As a Christian, one of my worst fears is that I will disappoint or hurt God by my actions. We criticize and judge those who were yelling and yet we do that daily. Not necessarily yelling at God, but we question His plans, we curse Him, we ignore Him, and we don’t stand up for our beliefs. What is wrong with this world and Christians today? We should strive to be like those women at the cross and the disciples who stood their ground and did not falter when the world pressured them. God gave up so much for us and yet we don’t acknowledge it.  Today visualize yourself standing at the cross watching your Savior die for your sins…for you. Listen to the people yelling around you. Listen to the curse words, the jeering, and everything else, will you join in? Or will you quietly stand with the women and let it sink in what Christ is doing. Your Savior, Messiah, Redeemer and Friend is taking your sins upon his shoulders when that could have been you on the cross. Get on your face today and thank God for such a sacrifice that we definitely don’t deserve.

2013: What an exciting year!

Well, it has been an extremely long time since I've written and so much has happened! I'm still at school, but graduating in May. Looking forward to that, but not sure what the future holds for me. It's crazy to think that this is it...this is, as far as I know, the last time I will be in school again. So much to think about. What am I supposed to do with my life? What career path do I follow? Do I want to get started on my career or take some time off and travel? Probably not the latter, since I have no money, but it's a good thought. I have so many opportunities to do what I love.

My brother, Bret, is traveling with Life Action Ministries as a bass player on one of their revival teams. This is something I would love to do as well. I've auditioned, but we'll see in a few weeks if I am accepted. I know that my heart and passion is in revival and in helping to bring it back to the Church in America.

I also have been talking to LAM headquarters and family camp about potentially working up there. I know that at the headquarters, they would have a job for me, but I think that if there was a job at camp, I might take that one. But it's not up to me, but up to God.

As well as looking into revival ministry, I have been looking for jobs in here and back home. I have gotten several inquiries about jobs locally, and looking into them just for the heck of it. My heart wants to stay at here and be able to hang out with my friends, but I really want to go into the ministry. But once again, not up to me!

School is going well, just extremely busy. Working three jobs, taking 13 hours, hanging out with friends, and participating in Easter pageant; these are the things my life consists of now, but I love it! This school is so amazing and I wouldn't trade my experience here for anything in the world! I remember how last year, I refused to call this place home and now, I've come to call this place home and never want to leave!

And so continues my journey as a senior in college and everything else I am! Ready to see what God does with my life.

A new short story

This is my newest short story! Enjoy!

Freedom

Running through the streets, jumping over piles of scraps and excrement, the night surrounding me has suddenly become pitch black in the moonless night. The air is dense.

Glancing over my shoulder, I can’t make out my oppressors, but I know they are coming; fast with determination. They seek me out like a troupe on a fox hunt.

Scaling over an old wooden rickety fence, I nearly lose my footing, but manage to land in a soft role.

I don’t dare pause to catch my breath. I can hear them slowly gaining on me. They say I’m fairly fast for a girl, but right now, I’m not sure I believe it, as I hear my enemies getting closer.

I approach the end of the fence and I must fly over it more gracefully than the last. I can’t risk a nose-dive to the wet, muddy grass.

Preparing myself for the flight, I grit my teeth and narrow my eyes as I calculate the distance between me and my opponent: the fence.

Grabbing the wooden, splintering slat, I pull myself over and for a moment, I enjoy the cool night air as I glide over the fence, only to snap back to reality as I hit the ground……on my feet.

I grin, proud of my accomplishment and continue to run down the dark street.

It is unusually dark and quiet tonight for such a large village. It’s as if all the townspeople know I’m free and are hiding, hoping that I won’t knock on their door for assistance. Well that’s the last thing on my mind. There’s no way I’m asking any of these people for help after what they’ve done to me.

In the distance, I see a dark shadow looming ahead. The tall, cold stone wall is all that lies between me and freedom. As far as I know, I am the only one who has ever tried to escape this place, but if there was someone before me, I doubt they got away without being killed first.

I glance along the base of the wall as I approach to make sure the guards aren’t there. It’s all clear.

I’ve been practicing to scale this wall since I was young, knowing that one day I would probably need to get over it. I would practice in the dead of night when I knew the guards would be gone. A few times I had almost made it. My hand had touched the ledge of the wall, catching a glimpse of the sweet air of freedom.

Tonight though, I had to make it. I think though that I have the energy and adrenaline to make it over. I’ve waiting for this night for years and tonight all of my dreams are going to come true.

Skidding to a halt at the base of the wall, I glance behind me to see a glow of torches outlining all of the weapons that follow; clubs, hoes, hatchets and even some swords.

Immediately I get to work. I grab my ropes, attached to my belt and wrap the ends around my hands. With a hook on each end, I throw one of the hooks up and over, waiting to hear a ‘clink.’ I had practiced throwing this and it had always landed where it needed to, that I had memorized the exact sound of its appropriate landing. ‘Clink.’ Right on.

After throwing both hooks and with the ends wrapped tightly around my hands, I turn to face my enemies. Suddenly, I am flooded with memories of how I got here and why my oppressors hate me so much.

I was an orphan, known widely around town as the “Rebel.” I had to survive, so I would sometimes have to steal. But there were a few families who were compassionate and would share some of the meals. One family in particular, my family, was the only family I could call my own. My family consisted of Augustus, Mary and their only son, Luke. They had let me live them and basically, adopted me as their daughter.

Because it was my nature of habit, I stole even when I was being feed, to help my family. I was a really bad person to the townspeople. I was a bully, a thief, a rebel and a murderer: my biggest crime that I didn’t actually commit.

The authorities wanted to catch me, but catch me in a crime, because they never could. I was too fast and sly for them. But my family was very prominent and if something had happened to me, Augustus would’ve done anything to free me. So the government decided to kill my family, and make it look like I had done it in anger.

So five months ago during the middle of night, I had come home after a night of small crimes to find Augustus, Mary and Luke dead…..chopped to pieces with my knife. As it all began to sink in, the authorities and neighbors arrived. I was shackled and taken away for trial.

The trial went by quickly with no flaws because the government and townspeople all wanted me in jail, so no one was testifying against my innocence. I sat through the trial in silence and in jail, in silence. For four months, I haven’t said a word, but I wasn’t much of a talker anyways. But I was slowly formulating my escape. I had known that one day I would be captured so I needed a plan to get out of jail and the rest of the plan would just fall into place. I had observed the guards, other prisoners, and when guards changed positions and prisoners were moved. I know the jail’s schedule like the back of my hand.

One day, actually today, it came time for my plan to take place. I was taken outside for a few minutes of fresh air, but I slowly made my way to the fence trying to look inconspicuous among the other prisoners. The next thing, I know, I’m scaling the fence, cutting my hands as I climb over. I land firmly on the ground, just as I hear the alarm being sounded.

Knowing that I don’t have much time, I return to my home and retrieve my emergency bag or what I like to call my ‘freedom’ bag. Sliding my leather gloves over my bloody hands, I pause in the doorway savoring this last moment. I remember a small picture that I want, that was painted a few years ago of Augustus, Mary and Luke. It’s upstairs on a small table. I fly up the stairs, snatch it and slide it into my bag as I hear the guards and neighbors come through the gate. I climb out the window and nimbly walk across the roof. I jump to the ground. I can hear my enemies realize I’ve escaped…..again and they begin to follow.

All of this flashes back to my memory in about a ten second period. I open my eyes and see my enemies. I can now see the whites of their eyes, glowing like fire in the light.

I nod my farewell, turn and begin to scale the wall. Grimacing at each pull as the rope tightens against my already injured hands. I have to make it. I hear my oppressors gasp I shock, not sure how to react. I can see the top of the wall. Almost there. I grab the top of the wall with my right hand and pull myself up with my left. I wince as pain sears through my hands and goes to my arms. Finally. I perch on the top of the wall, taking deep breaths of the air. Freedom. I have made it, after of years of waiting. Freedom. I glance back down to the imprisoned side, grin as the moon slowly appears from behind a cloud. I’m sure I look magnificent, perched on the wall with the moon glowing behind me. I look down to the freedom side and sigh. Freedom. I grab the ropes and slowly descend the wall. Freedom.

One Year Ago

     One year ago today, my Papa entered through the gates of heaven. As I sit here trying to have my quiet time, I realize I can't. The sudden rush of memories flood my mind and I can't concentrate. And then, as if God is telling me it's ok, He puts upon my heart to write about what happened the weeks leading up to his death, the day of and the funerals. I realize that I have never publicly told anyone what God taught me during that time. The only people that know would be my family, my mentor and best friend. So I decided it would probably relieve a lot of the heartache that I have, if I just wrote it all out. So here it goes........

     My grandpa had surgery sometime I think. Not sure of the dates, but it honestly doesn't matter. He was in the hospital up to the week before his death. I remember visiting him in the hospital for the first time and being extremely nervous. I had been in the hospital before, but had almost fainted because it was "too clean." I hated hospitals, but knew that I had to go see my Papa. He was drugged when I visited, so he didn't really know I was there. He looked so peaceful. I would visit him from time to time and unfortunately, not as often as I should've, which is something I regret. I do remember the one time I did visit and it was with my parents and brothers. It was on this one visit that my mom told me that they didn't think he would get to go home again. For the first time, it hit me that I might lose my Papa and I wasn't sure how to adequately respond with my emotions. I was mad at my parents for telling me, mad at God and extremely upset and cried constantly. Needless to say, that honestly, I visited him a little more often then, but still not like a granddaughter should.

    Since he was drugged, I don't think he really knew when I would visit anyways. I would sit by his bed, hold his hand and pray for God to do a miracle. I wasn't ready to lose him yet. One particular Wednesday before a class at TJC, I decided to go by and see him. Mom had already been there and told me that he was very alert today. I went and my aunt just happened to be the only one there. My grandma, uncle and mom were out looking for plots for the grave. I wasn't going to accept that. He was extremely alert that day and it almost made me question whether or not, he was going to die soon. I continued to have that thought, as I kept praying, in a nice way, that God would provide a way for my aunt to leave the room. I wanted to talk to my Papa alone and He did. My uncle called my aunt and she stepped out into the hallway to talk. I struggled with actually talking to him, but I knew that since God had provided this door of opportunity I might as well take it.

     It ended up being a day that I will never forget. I got up and went to stand by his bed. I grabbed his hand and told him that I wasn't ready to let him go. He looked at me and said, "I know, but it's my time." As if I had been hit by brick, I started sobbing. I said, "Please take me with you." He smiled and said that it wasn't my time. We both sat there in silence and after a minute, I said, "I'll finish the dollhouse for Madeline." The dollhouse was something that my grandpa had started for my mom when she was little, but never finished. I found it a few years ago and I wanted to finish it with Papa. We never got to work on it. Another regret. But when I told him that I would finish it for Madeline, my cousin, he smiled and closed his eyes. After a moment, he said, "It doesn't have to have electricity." I laughed and said, "It's going to have electricity and all the works." My aunt walked in around that time and I had to leave for class. I kissed him and left. In the parking lot, God touched me in a way I have never been touched before. It was as if God was saying, "Let him go. He's ready." I started sobbing as I released him over to God and told God to do His will, whatever that was. Even if it meant taking away my Papa. That was the last time he was that alert. Another regret I had was leaving. I should've stayed and enjoyed that precious moment with him since he was still alert and talking.

          That was on a Wednesday and on the next Monday we moved him into Hospice. The Hospice in Tyler, was wonderful and I was glad he was there. My grandma had a CD player going at all times, playing some of the greatest hymns. He looked so peaceful lying in bed with the sweet music filling the room. I went there very often to visit him and one of the days I was there, my grandma and mom had to go out and talk to a nurse. I was honestly, very scared to be left alone with him. If he died, I don't know what I would do. Trying to stay calm, I began singing along to the hymns and pacing around the room. He loved it when I sang, so I prayed that it brought some comfort. He did manage a smile at one point, which made me happy.  Singing, calmed me down to some point and ended up singing to all of the songs on the CD. After singing, I felt of sense of peace fill the room and it calmed me down. I then, felt prepared for whatever happened.

        On Sunday, March 6 my Papa, Harold Pigg left this earth and is now residing in his heavenly home.  When he died, I was in the waiting room with my friend, Jennifer Settles. As we were studying and on our computers, my mom came in. Her eyes were puffy and red and she said, "He's gone." I nodded and said, "Praise the Lord." I didn't cry, but acknowledged the fact that she had told me he had died. We immediately left packed up and left Hospice. We met the rest of family at my grandma's house and had a sweet time of fellowship and food. Then the planning began. We were to have to two funerals. One in Tyler and one in Dallas, since my parents were there. Thursday was the first funeral, which was in Tyler. It was at Green Acres chapel and my family got there early. While we were waiting in the parlor, I began to think about how I was going to react. I figured I wouldn't cry since I hadn't cried when he died, well I was wrong. My family walked in and sat on the first row. The pastor got up to pray and I lost it. I didn't stop crying till after we left the graveside several hours later. After the funeral, my family stood at the front of the chapel while friends and family came by to hug us and share sympathy. I was an emotional wreck and I hated that I looked the way I did. They kept playing the slideshow of pictures and those images were being shown right above and making it so much harder. My friends came to the funeral and I was so happy that they were there. They didn't know my grandpa that well, but they were there for me and my family. It made me feel loved.

     While it's only been a year, God has taught me so much. I have learned to cherish the little memories that occur within my family. I have had such a wonderful time reliving and rekindling some of those memories that I had forgot about. I have gone to Waxahachie twice this year, which is my grandpa's hometown. Driving through that town, the memories flooded my mind and it brought such a sense of peace. I also have learned to trust God in whatever circumstances occur within my life. I also strive everyday to make my grandpa proud and I know that he would be if he could read my newspaper articles or even see me. I hope that I continue to make him proud. I am so blessed with my family. They are always there for me and are full of encouragement.
I thank God for doing what he has done in my life and is continuing to do.

God is doing good

Well God has been doing some amazing stuff in my life. Life Action revival team is at my church this week and God has already started moving within us. He started moving in my life two weeks ago, when I realized that I had been sinning against my brother, Gregory! I confessed my sin and immediately began my pursuit of diligently following God. I went home on Thursday to prepare for Life Action's coming. They arrived Friday night and were greeted warmly by several church members. My good friend, Hannah Johnson, is staying with my grandma, while my family is keeping two boys. Needless to say, I have been kicked out of my room and have been staying with my grandma and Hannah and loved every moment of it. The revival started Sunday morning and in the Sunday school session God began to work on my heart. Sobbing, I poured out my heart to Him, pleading that He would stir within the people and send down the Holy Spirit like I saw this past summer at Family Camp. This is what I want for our church as well as my life. During the prayer time in the Sunday school session, I asked God to radically change my life this week and He did, immediately.

In the worship session on Sunday morning, I felt God pricking my heart that I'm supposed to travel with the Life Action team this coming year, even though I was planning on traveling after I finished my last year in college. I brushed it off, already having made up my mind that I was going to wait a year. After the service, I mentioned it to Hannah, who said that she had actually, thought about me during the worship time and had prayed for me. Then at lunch, another team member had said that she had prayed the night before that God would convict me to travel a year early should that be His will. Knowing all of this, I am seriously contemplating it, but am not biased in either direction.

Incidentally, I also cannot find another roommate for school next semester. I am not sure whether or not this is from God or not. I have looked into all the options I know, except to just get a roommate I do not know. I also have to know within 8 days because of the housing application. No pressure!

God is doing great things in my life and I am ready to see what happens in 8 days! Prayers please!

LOST!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well it's been a few months since I've written and I felt like it was time to write again! I have been so busy with schoolwork, but I wanted to share what God's been teaching me for the past few weeks!

I will be honest in saying that I am struggling in my walk with Christ. I feel lost, abandoned and I know it's my fault. I have not been seeking Him like I should. I have my quiet time every morning, but I don't feel like I'm learning anything. Even though, I take the time to read it and try to study it, I don't get anything from it. I am desperately wanting to have a closer relationship with God, but am struggling on just how to do it. I know that I want to be a radical Christian, but not sure how to go about it. I still want to go to India and any other mission trips I can, but not sure if that's what I am supposed to do. I am lost.....and don't know which direction to go. My ultimate goal is for God to start a revival within me, so that I can turn my life around and get started on what He has planned for me! Please pray with me as I seek to know the Lord better, not just as my master, but as my friend!

The Decalogue

So I realized today that I haven't posted in a while. Mostly because I've been so busy keeping up with school and going home every weekend for Stronghold. It was a very stressful weekend since this was the performance weekend, but I know that God was there throughout all the injuries and mess-ups that occurred. God protected everyone from very serious injuries and any serious mistakes. It amazes me how much God is always there protecting us even when we don't expect it! When we pray and ask God to be there for us, He will always be there! Anyways, I just want to thank God for protecting us and giving everyone the strength and stamina to finish strong!

Something that has interested me this past week was in my Old Testament class, which happens to be my favorite class. We have been talking about Moses and the Israelites. And this past Tuesday, my professor broke down the Ten Commandments for us, also known as, the Decalogue. I would like to tell you about it, even if you already know! ;) The Decalogue is broken down into two tables, the first one is known as the "Love God table." Basically, commands 1-4 have to do with loving God from "You shall no other gods before me" to "Keep the Sabbath day holy." The second table is known as the "Love your neighbor" table and consist of commandments 5-10. Something else I found interesting is that the 'Shema' is the summary of the Decalogue found in Deuteronomy 6:4-9. When it says, "love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength," this is the first table of the Ten Commandments. I know that this may seem so simple, but to me this is just simply amazing! It is so cool that God does this with His word. Showing us that loving Him comes first in our life, and then loving our neighbors, but we have to love that is the overall message! Just thoughts from Elissa!!

Weekend Trip

I decided that I would also post some of my writing on here, just so y'all can give me feedback! So enjoy! :)


 

Weekend Trip

    The ringing phone filled him with dread. Scott Langer recognized the number as being his best friend from high school. He didn’t have time to answer it. He had so much work to do before his dinner date with Mackenzie. He looked at the phone and sighed. “Hello, this is Scott,” he answered. “Hey man, this is Danny Anderson from high school,” a loud voice said over the phone. Scott pulled back, wincing as the loud voice continued pounding in his ear. “So how have you been, man?” “Doing good, Danny. Busy as normal, I have a lot of work right now,” Scott said, hoping Danny would get the hint, but he didn’t. “So I got a call the other day from Mandy Collin, well her maiden name, Simmons, Mandy Simmons. Do you remember her?” Danny asked. Scott starting typing on his computer, trying to get some work done while carrying on this conversation. “Yeah, I think I remember her; she was a cheerleader, right?” Scott asked. “Yeah, that’s right. She’s the one who flirted with Mack McGuire, the quarterback on the football team. Anyways, she called me last week and said that they were trying to get a 10-year reunion for our graduating class,” Danny said. Scott felt his heart sink. He could tell this was coming. He hated class reunions. He had never gone to one before, so why should he go now? Danny continued, “Mandy heard that you were in the hotel business and she wanted to see if you could hook us up with a conference room somewhere.” “What city does she want to have it in?” Scott asked. “She wanted somewhere like Cancun,” Danny said. Scott stopped, “Cancun? As in Mexico?” “Yeah, she thinks that it would be fun to have it somewhere exotic. Do you have any hotels down there?” Danny asked. “I think so, but won’t it be expensive for some folks to try and get down there?” Scott asked as he typed in the name of his hotel in Cancun. “Yeah, probably, but Mandy wants to try it. She thought that it would be fun to have it somewhere different instead of the normal “high school gym” setting,” Danny said, “Do you think you can get your hotel to let us reserve the conference room?” Scott inwardly moaned. “I’m sure I can,” he said. “Great! Well, Mandy wants to have the reunion in two months; the date is June 21. Let me know if we can’t have room on that date, ok man!” “Yeah sure, Danny,” Scott said. Scott knew that the room would be available on that day, but he didn’t want to tell Danny now. “Great, man, say it was great talking to you, but I need to get back to work. Let me know what you find out, so I can tell Mandy,” Danny said. “Will do, Danny. Have a great day. Bye,” Scott said as he hung up. He leaned back in his chair, regretting the reunion. He knew that if he had it at his hotel, he was obligated to go. Maybe Mackenzie would go with him. That would make it a little more fun. Mackenzie was his girlfriend and loads of fun. She wasn’t loud and rambunctious like his last girlfriend, but she wasn’t shy either. She was just fun to be around, and Scott liked girls that were like that. He had been with Mackenzie for a year and half now and was considering asking her to marry him. Scott still didn’t know why he had hooked up with his last girlfriend, He hated every moment with her. Well anyways, that was the past and he was looking to a beautiful future filled with him and Mackenzie. He looked at his watch and realized he only had an hour to get work done so he could actually make it on time to his date.

   Two and half hours later, he was sitting in Mackenzie’s favorite restaurant sipping a cup of hot decaf coffee with the love of his life. He was having a hard time concentrating because he kept thinking about the class reunion and dreading it. “Scott,” Mackenzie said, breaking his thought. “I know that you haven’t been listening to a word I’ve been saying. Something’s troubling you, what is it?” Scott set his cup down and leaned forward. “I got a call from a friend in high school, and they are trying to plan a 10-year class reunion at one of my hotels,” he said. “Oh, and what’s so wrong about that?” Mackenzie asked. “They want to have it in Cancun, Mexico,” Scott said. Mackenzie raised her eyebrow. “Cancun?” she said, “why on earth Cancun?” “The girl in charge of it wants an exotic location instead of a high school gym setting. I hate class reunions, and I will especially hate it if it’s in Cancun,” Scott said as he looked her in the eyes. “Would you want to go with me, Mackenzie?” Scott continued, “It would make things a little more interesting.” Mackenzie pulled out her iPhone and asked, “When is it again?” “June 21. It’s a Friday night,” Scott said. Mackenzie looked up and smiled. “You’re lucky! That’s the only weekend I have free that month,” she told him. Scott grinned and leaned back in his chair, satisfied.

   It was Thursday morning and Scott was in his condo, packing. He looked at his clock by his bed. He had 30 minutes before he needed to pick up Mackenzie and head to the airport. Going with them was Scott’s brother, Ben, and his girlfriend, Kasey. They had decided to get there a day early to enjoy the day on Friday before the reunion that night. Scott knew that despite the class reunion, this would be a good weekend. He threw his passport and plane ticket into his backpack, put the bag on his back and rolled his other luggage out into the hall. He took one last look at his condo and headed out the door.

   After Scott picked up Mackenzie, his brother and girlfriend, they arrived at the airport and proceeded to check in their luggage. The airport clerk checked in Ben, Kasey and Mackenzie. Scott then walked up to the counter, set down his luggage on the scale and handed the clerk his ticket. The clerk typed in something and asked for Scott’s passport. He pulled it out of his messenger bag and handed it to her. She looked at it and looked back at him. “I’m sorry sir, but your passport has expired.” Scott did a double take and his jaw fell open. “You have got to be kidding me. When did it expire?” “Last month, sir,” she said. Scott groaned and put his head in his hands. He stood there for a moment, trying to decide what to do. Finally he looked up and half-smiled at the clerk. “Thank you for your time,” he said as he grabbed his luggage and walked off. Mackenzie, Ben and Kasey followed. “So what are we going to do, bro?” Ben asked. Scott sat down in one of the chairs lined up against the window and Mackenzie sat beside him. “Well I didn’t really want to go so I guess you guys can go ahead and fly down there and have a good time,” Scott said. “Scott,” Mackenzie said. “We are not going to go to Cancun without you.” Ben and Kasey agreed. “I guess we are staying home this weekend,” Scott said as he stood up. “Wait a minute,” Ben said, pulling out his phone. “I have a college friend of mine who is a pilot and he flies down to Mexico all the time. Maybe he could fly us down there and we can pay him.” Scott gave him a questioned look. “But don’t you need a private landing strip so they don’t have to look at your passport?” “I honestly think he uses one of his friend’s landing strip. I’m not a hundred percent sure, but it doesn’t hurt to ask.” Ben called his friend, who did have a private landing strip and he agreed to fly them down there. An hour and a half later, they were on their way to Cancun.

    That night walking along the beach in front of their resort, Scott and Mackenzie walked slowly in silence, taking in the night air and the sound of the waves crashing upon the moonlit shore. Finally Scott turned to Mackenzie. “I’ve been thinking, which is not always a good thing.” Mackenzie grinned. “I’ve been thinking about how strange it would be for me to tell everyone at the reunion that you are my girlfriend, so I was thinking,” Scott said as he got on his knee and pulled out a ring box. “What if I just told them you were my finance’?” Mackenzie gasped. “Oh Scott,” she stammered. “I would be honored.” Scott smiled and stood to his feet. He took the beautiful diamond ring out of the box and slid it onto her finger. He kissed her and they stood there for a moment embracing each other. “This may be a better weekend than I thought it would be,” Scott said as he smiled at his soon-to-be bride.

  

Random thought of the week: God Bless America

Just to let you know, as I feel like I need to, this is just my opinion. Please feel free to comment and leave thoughts and suggestions. God wanted me to type out what I did tonight....I'm not sure why, but He does. Hope you enjoy.

So we all know the song, "God Bless America." It's words have been engraved into our heads.
"God Bless America,
Land that I love.
Stand beside her, and guide her
Thru the night with a light from above.
From the mountains, to the prairies,
To the oceans, white with foam
God bless America, My home sweet home."

The other day when I was home for the weekend. I thought about this song. Is this song,"God Bless America," relevant to today's culture and society? This song was written in 1918 by Irving Berlin, who was serving in a U.S. army camp in Yaphank, New York. Though written in 1918, it didn't become popular till 1938 when Kate Smith sang it on her radio show on the 21st anniversary of Armistice Day in World War I. This video is a copy of the original showing. It gave me goosebumps. Please watch before you continue reading. It will help you undertstand where I am going with this post. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnQDW-NMaRs 


Since this song was written at the end of World War I, Berlin gives us a sense of what the Americans were thinking and feeling at that time. God had brought them through a horrific war with over 5,000,000 casualties. It takes a lot to tell God to bless America and not to hate Him for bringing the war upon them, though I'm sure there were some that did. Can we as American ask God to bless America right now? Going through the World War, the American people deserved God's blessing at that time, in my opinion. I don't think we deserve it today. God has already blessed us so richly and yet we take it for granted. And people wonder why God has slowly taken his hand off America in protecting. He has stood beside us and guided us to the best of His ability, but we don't acknowledge that. "Stand beside her and guide her, thru the night with the light from above." I think the song should read "America Bless God." Shouldn't we give back to God and let Him see how thankful we are for His blessings that He has so richly bestowed onto us. Unfortunately in due time,we are not going to have those freedoms that we have now. Before long, we, as Christians, won't be able to own Bibles, much less read them. We won't be able to meet in church, but those who are fully devoted followers of Christ will still meet secretly in an "underground church" despite what might happen to them. We won't be able to say the name, "Jesus Christ" without being persecuted or martyred for it. Do we really want America to head in this direction or are we, as "radical" Christians ready to take a stand? Don't we want to sing "God Bless America," without feeling guilty, because I know I do? I want to be able to sing this unofficial national anthem knowing that we have given God credit for all that He has blessed us with. Don't you?

First Entry: Life at College

Well this is the first entry to my online journal. This journal will contain stories of my adventures here at UMHB and my world travels which will involve India next fall. So let  us begin.........this is my first semester here and I am wondering whether or not I should be here. I am without friends despite a few, a little bit lonely, REALLY homesick, and wanting to desire a deeper relationship with God. Well I am desiring it more than ever! I want God to do miracles and wonderful things in my life while I'm here, I'm just waiting......patiently.......well trying to wait patiently. Unfortunately, patience was never a good virtue of mine. I have just completed my first week of classes and it will be a difficult semester. I have five classes, the most I have ever taken, with some of the most interesting professors who I am questioning their spiritual walk. My film professor is requiring that we watch some R-rated movies........and I'm not too happy about it. I have been praying about what I should do, and I think I am just going to tell him that I cannot watch it. I am praying that he doesn't take it the wrong way! Tomorrow Jennifer and I will be visiting another church. Last Sunday we visited Temple Bible Church and it was a very interesting church. I liked it, especially the pastor. He preached an excellent sermon on desperation from Psalm 130, one of the "psalms of ascent." This is what the outline from the sermon says, "Psalms 120-134 are called 'the Psalms of Ascent.' As pilgrims journeyed to Jerusalem, the highest geographical city in Israel, these Psalms were often sung. Psalm 130 is a cry of desperation for deliverance from 'the depths.'" Some things that stood out to me from his sermon was the people who are truly desperate for spirituality do not care about the mess they make so they can get to Jesus. If we truly want to see Jesus and experience Him in our lives, we shouldn't care about the mess we make of our lives. We shouldn't be concerned about the sins we commit, we should just ask for forgiveness and continue to seek God. Anyways this is my first entry and we'll see how it goes from now on!