Sorry, well... I kinda had to. I haven't written
since March!
"Little" life update for those who don't keep tabs with me
much: Well, I graduated! Yay? The whole graduation ceremony just seemed a
little nostalgic. It really didn't feel like it was happening until we got out
of the building where I thought I was going to roast alive. The moment after
graduation I instantly started going to grad parties to what I would
unknowingly would probably be seeing some of my classmates for the last time.
That's so messed up right? There are some people that I spend 7+ years with that
I will most likely never see again. However, that started a string of several
days where I can count the days I have gone to bed BEFORE midnight on one hand.
These nights were filled with friends and family who loved me. Laughs, tears,
wisdom teeth pain, and memories that I want to hold on to for the rest of my
life. Shortly after my wonderful wisdom teeth venture, it was our grad party
time! For those who have never helped plan/set up for a grad party; y'all
should give some serious creds to the people who do! I am very surprised that
my mother didn't have a nervous breakdown doing some of that stuff. There was a
lot that went into our party. Thank you to all who came and spent some time
with me! I wouldn't be the same without you and I am oh so grateful. I was also
surprised be some of the people who came to visit me: My old youth
minister who I hadn’t seen in quite a while, some friends from camp that I
haven’t seen in 3 YEARS, my favorite Cadiz crew, and a slew of people who I
just love so much. Last event, but CERTAINLY not least; I had the amazing
opportunity to go on a mission trip with my wonderful family away from home! I
was so nervous to go on this trip because I’m a little shy around new people
but I had some friends already going! I prayed for the trip work out how it
would best benefit God’s kingdom; and the result was truly beautiful (besides
that wonderful Tuesday night of sickness). I made new friends who feel like
they have been in my life for years, we did an amount of work that no one saw
coming from a group like us, and we had joy and humility the whole time. I
couldn’t have asked for a better week with people I love. I broke through the barrier of comfortable that kept me from truly
making a difference.
I burst my bubble.
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For the biblical reference I would like to relate to my story I went to
Daniel 6. For those that don’t recognize this passage. It is the story of
Daniel and the Lions’ Den! This is personally one of my favorite passages
because 1. I love lions almost as much as armadillos. And 2. This is truly a
story of Daniel bursting society’s bubble and changing it monumentally. I’ll
paste the passage real quick:
Daniel in the Lions’ Den
6 [a]Darius the Mede decided
to divide the kingdom into 120 provinces, and he appointed a high officer to
rule over each province. 2 The
king also chose Daniel and two others as administrators to supervise the high
officers and protect the king’s interests. 3 Daniel soon proved himself more capable
than all the other administrators and high officers. Because of Daniel’s great
ability, the king made plans to place him over the entire empire.
4 Then
the other administrators and high officers began searching for some fault in
the way Daniel was handling government affairs, but they couldn’t find anything
to criticize or condemn. He was faithful, always responsible, and completely
trustworthy. 5 So
they concluded, “Our only chance of finding grounds for accusing Daniel will be
in connection with the rules of his religion.”
6 So
the administrators and high officers went to the king and said, “Long live King
Darius! 7 We
are all in agreement—we administrators, officials, high officers, advisers, and
governors—that the king should make a law that will be strictly enforced. Give
orders that for the next thirty days any person who prays to anyone, divine or
human—except to you, Your Majesty—will be thrown into the den of lions. 8 And now,
Your Majesty, issue and sign this law so it cannot be changed, an official law
of the Medes and Persians that cannot be revoked.” 9 So King
Darius signed the law.
10 But
when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down
as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He
prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God.
11 Then
the officials went together to Daniel’s house and found him praying and asking
for God’s help. 12 So
they went straight to the king and reminded him about his law. “Did you not
sign a law that for the next thirty days any person who prays to anyone, divine
or human—except to you, Your Majesty—will be thrown into the den of lions?”
“Yes,” the king replied, “that decision
stands; it is an official law of the Medes and Persians that cannot be
revoked.”
13 Then
they told the king, “That man Daniel, one of the captives from Judah, is
ignoring you and your law. He still prays to his God three times a day.”
14 Hearing
this, the king was deeply troubled, and he tried to think of a way to save
Daniel. He spent the rest of the day looking for a way to get Daniel out of
this predicament.
15 In
the evening the men went together to the king and said, “Your Majesty, you know
that according to the law of the Medes and the Persians, no law that the king
signs can be changed.”
16 So
at last the king gave orders for Daniel to be arrested and thrown into the den
of lions. The king said to him, “May your God, whom you serve so faithfully,
rescue you.”
17 A
stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den. The king sealed the
stone with his own royal seal and the seals of his nobles, so that no one could
rescue Daniel. 18 Then
the king returned to his palace and spent the night fasting. He refused his
usual entertainment and couldn’t sleep at all that night.
19 Very
early the next morning, the king got up and hurried out to the lions’ den. 20 When he got
there, he called out in anguish, “Daniel, servant of the living God! Was your
God, whom you serve so faithfully, able to rescue you from the lions?”
21 Daniel
answered, “Long live the king! 22 My
God sent his angel to shut the lions’ mouths so that they would not hurt me,
for I have been found innocent in his sight. And I have not wronged you, Your
Majesty.”
23 The
king was overjoyed and ordered that Daniel be lifted from the den. Not a
scratch was found on him, for he had trusted in his God.
24 Then
the king gave orders to arrest the men who had maliciously accused Daniel. He
had them thrown into the lions’ den, along with their wives and children. The
lions leaped on them and tore them apart before they even hit the floor of the
den.
25 Then
King Darius sent this message to the people of every race and nation and
language throughout the world:
“Peace and prosperity to you!
26 “I
decree that everyone throughout my kingdom should tremble with fear before the
God of Daniel.
For he is the living God,
and
he will endure forever.
His kingdom will never be destroyed,
and
his rule will never end.
27
He rescues and saves his people;
he
performs miraculous signs and wonders
in
the heavens and on earth.
He has rescued Daniel
from
the power of the lions.”
28 So
Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.[b]
Just let that sink in a bit. If you were thrown into a
lions’ den, what would you do? I know I would pee my pants and pass out. one
before the other, you can pick which came first. Moreover, imagine the courage
Daniel must’ve had to go against king Darius; Daniel was practically his
right-hand man. However, Daniel served a God who had a greater gift. He served
a God who was worth getting uncomfortable, or even life threatening! He served
a God who bursts bubbles. Daniel was willing to sacrifice it all for the one
who did (or would do in Daniels case) for him!
That is my hope for you guys. Get uncomfortable! Burst your
own bubbles and break down walls. We live in an age where there are barriers
after barriers to be broken! The things worth doing are never going to be easy.
You never know the grace, gifts, and glory that God could place behind that
challenge!
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Weekly Devotion Pick for “15 Minutes Alone with God for Men”
by Bob Barnes.
“The Guy Who Drew the Line” -Ephesians 1: 3-14 (Feel free to
read the passage)
God’s promise was predestined in us before we were even a
thought. The MOMENT we accepted, heard, and believed; we were sealed with the
promise of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus was the down payment for our inheritance.
Jesus is the foundation, he is our example, he is our rock.
As humans, we are imperfect. We are constantly trying to
become pure so we can be like Him! But it is a process. Our world and its
issues are becoming more gray so that this process can be slowed. Let us live
black and white in a gray world! Know when to draw the line.
First you have to develop a plan:
“1. Make a decision. (Daniel 1:8)
2. Choose to put first things first. (Mark 7:15, 20-23)
3. Determine where the line is and stay a safe distance
behind it. (James 1:14-15)
4. Guard your heart. (Matthew 6:21)
5. Guard your mind. (Colossians 3:2)
6. Guard your eyes. (Job 31:1)
7. Guard the little things. (Luke 16:10)”
Father God, thank you for the ability to break down
barriers. I pray that we can get uncomfortable to serve your purpose. I pray
for peace. I pray for love. I pray for You.
Deuteronomy 31:8New
International Version (NIV)
8 The
Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor
forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
God Bless!!
-Aidan
