Goodbyes and Apologies.

Yesterday was my last day at home. I'm back in Toronto now. For the most part, settled in. Only one problem, I forgot my MacBook charger at home...FAIL!!! So I'm gonna have to ask a couple of peeps to see if I can use their charger. Good thing I know a couple of people.

I said goodbyes to most of the people I wanted to, although some weren't proper. I finally got the chance to meet up with some of the kids I was hanging out with at Junior High summer camp. It was alot of fun. I even said hello to people that I thought disliked me. I guess not.

To the people I didn't say goodbye to, my apologies. I probably didn't even tell you I was leaving or we didn't have time to meet up. I'm sorry.

I also am writing this to apologize to those I did wrong to or hurt over the course of the summer. You probably won't be reading this anyways, but I'm sorry. I'm sorry for being a jerk and I'm sorry for speaking up when I wasn't supposed to. I did acts selfishly instead of selflessly.

This summer, I ended relationships, but also started some new ones. I even rekindled some friendships that were slipping away.

It's all in the Lord's time. Trust Him. Completely. You won't be disappointed.

Goodbyes are hard. Especially when you have to say it to someone you love.

A Journal Entry. (9.2.09) - Direction

Taken from my spiritual journal:

One thing that I've been asking God for this summer is direction. Direction to where I want God wants me to go in life. This summer raised questions and uncertainties in my life like school, relationships, and work. I feel today the Lord reassured me that he has a plan for me and that everything is under His control. Not mine. Three different passages from three different sources were shown to me today:
The first was shown to me by my friend Simon. Matthew 6:25-34.The passage sums up to say, "Do not worry. You mean SO MUCH to God. He WILL provide for you." I looked at it thinking okay, God will provide me with finances, a loving wife (Hey I'm only 19, but yeah I think about it), and food and shelter.

The next verse was sent to me through a Twitter text message (follow @ DailyVerseTweet for Bible verses on your Twitter). The verse of the day was Numbers 23:19. I put that verse into my own words: God doesn't lie. Sure, God may delay a promise, but He will still keep it to the very end. God reveals truth through His Word. Does it not say in the Bible that He WILL provide? I don't know when, how much, or what, but I do know it will happen. I have yet to see or hear of a broken promise from God.

The last verse was BibleGateway's Verse of the Day for September 3rd (I wrote my journal past midnight which is why I got the September 3rd verse). It was Isaiah 48:17. The Lord will lead me to where He wants me to go. He will lead me to a job, a woman fit for my standards, and He will give me the necessities needed for daily living.

How do I know that? It says so in the Bible. The Bible is His Word and His Word is the truth. As our Father, God cares for us so much. He WILL provide in ways more than you think. Maybe you're just oblivious to it. Maybe my future wife is already a friend of mine. I don't know, but God does.

Where does it say in the Bible that God cares for us? Many places, but here are a few that stand out: John 3:16, 1 Peter 5:7, Luke 12:6-7.

Spiritual Conversations.

I have found that sharing your faith with another person, believer or non-believer feels really good. I had a talk with a good friend just a couple minutes ago and we both were expressing our faith through music played on the guitar, through scripture verses that came up in our heads, and even the things that the Lord has been showing us this summer. I love to talk about something that I love and I think my friend might actually get in trouble because he stayed out past what he told his parents he would :/. Anyways...God is awesome and (as David Crowder*Band says) "We'll shout it out loud from the rooftops. We won't be quiet. We've fallen for You hard and we can't stop. We won't deny it."

Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
[Ephesians 5:19-20]

Desire to Sin or Sinful Desires?

a quote I saw at church a while ago...
"People sin because they want something, and they're afraid that being good won't get it for them." - Barbara Brown Taylor

...reminded me of a bible verse:
What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God.
[James 4:1-3]

You Are Everything - Phil Wickham.

I was up til 4AM listening to worship music again. I stumbled across such a beautiful song by Phil Wickham entitled "You Are Everything." Basically the title speaks for itself. Phil Wickham is an awesome singer and his love for Christ speaks through this song.


Jesus, You're my everything
My heart beats for You
Filled with power and mystery
Lord, I thirst for You
You are everything
You are everything

Lord, You are beautiful
Awesome and wonderful
I give You all of my life
Lord, You're the song I sing
Perfect in everything
I give You all of my life
For You are everything

You're the stone I rest upon
I find peace in You
I love You Lord with all my heart
I place my hope in You
For You are everything
You are everything

A Closer Summer.

We're here in Fayetteville, NC packing for our 4-5 hour road trip back home. I couldn't have asked for a better trip. Sure, it had ups and downs. Nothing out there is perfect, but I can say that I can't ask for a better family.

This trip was the first family trip we've had since 2006. It felt really good living under the same roof once again as a whole. Great way to end the summer as we go back to the daily grind of work and school.

I could feel this family getting closer and closer to the Lord as our trip went on. We did bible studies, went to a Bible-themed theme park, and we even prayed together! Two things I love the most in the world, the Lord and family, came together under one roof.

Even with all of the things that happened in the beginning of the summer, it is safe to say that this is the best summer I've ever had.

How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!
[Psalm 133:1]

Your Love Is Strong - Jon Foreman.

So here I am in the beautiful city of Orlando, FL. Everyone's asleep and I'm up listening to some praise and worship music. I came across a song and the lyrics just spoke out to me. Like really, this song speaks out to me on so many levels. Here it is. Jon Foreman - Your Love Is Strong:

Heavenly Father
You always amaze me
Let your kingdom come
In my world and in my life
You give me the food I need
To live through the day
And forgive me as I forgive
The people that wronged me
Lead me far from temptation
Deliver me from the evil one

I look out the window
The birds are composing
Not a note is out of tune
Or out of place
I look at the meadow
And stare at the flowers
Better dressed than any girl
On her wedding day

So why do I worry?
Why do I freak out?
God knows what I need
You know what I need

Your love is
Your love is
Your love is strong

The kingdom of the heavens
Is now advancing
Invade my heart
Invade this broken town
The kingdom of the heavens
Is buried treasure
Will you sell yourself
To buy the one you've found?

Two things you told me
That you are strong
And you love me
Yes, you love me

Your love is
Your love is
Your love is strong

Our God in heaven
Hallowed be
Thy name above all names
Your kingdom come
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven
Give us today our daily bread
Forgive us weary sinners
Lead us far away from our vices
And deliver us from these prisons


Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. [1 Peter 5:7]



....I want to cover this song ASAP