Surreal

Hey Guys, so I decided to continue with my journal, these entries were written the first three days of my mission in Los Angeles, the third entry is probably the most in depth and interesting, just throwing that out there. Reading back in my journal I realize I was exposed to so many of God's lessons and I hope that those are transparent as you read. SO, here it is.

P.S. All the pictures I have posted have been taken by Mark Niles, the mission leader while on the trip to Los Angeles.

Sunday, August 16th

I am staring outside my Dream Center window in L.A! I am amazed, it's wonderful. After a long day of travel, it is needless to say that I'm exhausted. When we got here it was really overwhelming, we all felt homesick, tired, and whatnot. This isn't a palace by any means, but we have enough, I have to remember this isn't a vacation, this is a mission, just like my life, I shouldn't be thinking I can just be lazy and slide through life, all the time I am in a mission, that's so cool! the schedule looks incredible, I'm pumped.

We went for a drive through Beverly Hills today, saw the Jonas brothers house, or should I say, gate. We bought a Star's house map, haha it is almost surreal. It's incredible how within such a small radius there is so much wealth and so much poverty all at the same time, I love seeing and learning and expanding what I know about the world. God, thank you so much for this trip. I want this trip to push me with God, and to push me to stand firm in my faith. I have so much praying to do. Rime for God, I miss being immersed in his Spirit.

Monday, August 17th.

Today, day off... sounds kind of funny, seeing as I just got here yesterday, but that's just how the schedule worked out. So, today we travelled through the California mountains. The only word I can think of is "beautiful." I am not in a room with a bunch of old men, Ha! They are Canadians, just like us, this will be fun.

I am praying God will really use me to change lives, that is my deep craving. I thank god for helping me with temptations and everything, I pray that that will never end. I want to stay mystified. I know I will always be, if I continue to stay and soak in his presence. If we love we cannot sin. god help me to bless others in everything I do, and bless me Lord, prepare me.

Tuesday, August 18th

So rewarding and encouraging and thought provoking!

We started our outreach for "hope for the Homeless" by making sandwiches and bag lunches to deliver to Venice Beach. These could be there only meals that they will have today. The director of the mission is a former gay prostitute/cross dresser, whom God delivered. His story is mesmerizing. He was months away form getting a sex change and then he went back to his home town, dressed as women, and went to his family church, God spoke deep into his soul at the perfect time.

Next we went to Venice beach and delivered the food and just loved the people there. Everyone has a story, everybody is somebody, they all deserve a life, you know? I was so pumped and then so scared and out of my comfort zone all at the same time. I pray that God will help me to connect to people through this trip and through life. I felt so out of place, it was so "cool". The time went by really fast I was pretty quiet but my mind was racing. These people were doing nothing with there lives - living for a high. What's Gods plan for them? The I thought, what's Gods plan for me? What if I screw up majorly and don't find a way. i know it's ridiculous talk, but I can't help it. This evening we went to a Dodgers game. They won, it was an hilarious experience, thank you god for blessing me with all of this. It's so unreal, but sadly so real, I go to Dodgers games and so many people live out of garbage cans, are they happy with that? This is my chance to do something, Praise you God for giving me this opportunity!

I need to have alone time with God while I'm here, that way it will prepare me for when I go home. God has done so much and he has never forsaken me, I am so overtaken with emotion. There is just so much I can work on, and I pray God will teach it to me and show me how to improve my walk. I love being immersed in his spirit.

Blessings,

Colton

Journal - Week Before.

These journal entries are the week leading up to my mission to Los Angeles, this was trainging week. For anyone who knows me, the year up to that point had been really rough, I went through a lot, looked in all the wrong places for a sold "feeling" and ended up just hurting myself and people around me - but through out all of that I knew God was there, I just needed to hear from him directly. FYI, at the begginning of the week it had been a long time sense I talked to God, or was even tuned into him. I don't why God did they things the way he did this week, but it was perfect. Keep this all in mind haha. So, here we go.

Sunday, August '09

Woah, I'm feeling nervous, perhaps fearful, excited and anxious. I am a junior leader, I'm looking after two boys with disabilities. I want to be strong for them, when really, I am new at this. I know that I love Jesus, that's what matters, I am so blessed, praise God! Today there was orientation and then a leader meeting. Time to pray for tomorrow.

Monday, August '09

Evening service was rocky! God was there but I want to be filled with his presence so badly. Gary had some pretty cool words for me... "I am mature and he sees me in a valley, with endless space, that I will not be pushed on a dirt path that Satan leads." I feel some what powerless, like I want to BAWL, BLOWUP, SUBMERGE, and SHOWER myself in God's spirit. I can feel it, but I'm scared of losing. God gave me a complex mind and I need confidence to go with it. Jesus I love you and need you.

Tuesday

Frustrated and faithful. I desire so hard to praise God and be filled with his spirit. People prayed for me to be filled, it didn't happen. Sucks! Wait upon God. Keep a positive attitude. Be real, and be thankful for what he does give to you. I speak Thursday, pray for a word, something to really touch people. Something Beautiful. I was asked to lead a worship song, totally empowering!!

Wednesday

Worship was tough. I was told to calm down and let Jesus come to me... instead of trying so hard to find him. Which is difficult. Then I had a wicked talk with joey and Phillipe. Basically what came from it was " be, don't do." A challenge, but I will do this... Anything for God.

Thursday

I feel like God is doing something indescribable, wait... more like changing me. It's about being not doing, about believing, not always feeling. Patience... about wisdom and courage to ask for help. God is moving and I am making a commitment. Bible - EVERYDAY. Prayer - TALK(2 way conversation with God!) All the time! I spoke my sermon today and trusted God with results. I want to ask Gary tomorrow for Prayer, it's been on my heart all week. I don't know why, thank you God.

Friday, August 14th.

Part One - I just had morning worship, and I finally just worshipped, without thinking about myself or what people thought. Then I saw some people really into God and I wanted that. I don't know if it was my imagination but I just gave my all and I met Jesus, beard and all, in a dark room. He said come with me, follow me. I took his hand and we flew down this waterfall. I feel like it's our place. So cheesy, and maybe I am overtired, but it felt so right and real.

Part Two (Before Commissioning Service) - Just talked and prayed with gary, So rewarding! God had it on my heart all week to ask him to pray and I finally did! He said he senses I have the gift of speaking in tongues and that I should use it everyday. It builds the armour and protection, Praise the Lord!

Part Three (After Commissioning, More like Saturday at 2:30 am)

I could write a novel! My night, I've prayed all night and week for an incredible commissioning service. My name was called and Kurt and Pascale prayed for me. I felt nothing... I was so mad and sad. I thought God must of been trying to teach me something... Like "don't rely on people, come to me." I was so angry, I tried so hard, after my entire year I felt like I needed some kind of signal from God that I was forgiven and he could use me and still love me. I wanted to burst. I talked to Phillipe about it, I was trying to accept that God was just going to work slowly. The Los Angeles mission team was praying for our Leader. I felt like I was going to explode, there was so much tension I was so upset at this point because so many people were being filled with his presence and just bursting with joy at the words they had gotten from God, I felt such a burden and so hopeless, unlike anything I have ever felt before. All of a sudden, Jessica (a member of the team) stopped praying and blurted, "Colton I need to pray for you right now!" All I could do was say, "Thank God!" The timing could not have been better, I honestly felt like I was about to scream if she hadn't of said that. The team prayed for me and it was one of the most incredible extraordinary feelings in the world. I can't describe, I know that I can't live by a feeling, you live by faith, but I truly believe I needed that from God, and he obviously knew that. All my burdens are lifted. I feel full and filled and now it's time to embrace God, there is a massive change stirring in my soul. He has rescued me from a dirt path lead by Satan, and never will I go back.

So that is the journal of the week before I headed to L.A. Interesting how god works isn't it? I thought I was about to die, then he put it on someones soul at the perfect time to pray for me, and we prayed for hours I remember as I wept on the floor, spilling out everything that I felt I had done wrong, God took all my sins and threw them away. He took every ounce of shame that was pouncing on my soul and murdered it. Every word that anyone prayed over me during those hours was so God breathed and prophetic that thinking back all I can do is smile, and hold back tears at how glorious and wise and loving our God is. That love that he shows, is ours all the time, so let's take it, and embrace it.

In adoration,

Colton

Revivalists

"Radical, fervent, healing revivalists, called to impact cultures for the Kingdom of God, are being called to rehabilitate the land. As a part of the new breed, you must pay attention to the dreams in your heart because they are meaningful to God. Don't downplay the desires of your heart. God will use them to place you in society as an agent of restoration."

- Jesus Culture, By: Banning Liebscher

This morning I spent a good amount of time reading this book, and reading my journal from when I was in L.A. I was supposed to be speaking at my churches youth group tonight, but it got cancelled because of the snow, which kind of sucks, I was looking forward to it, but God knows what is best, always.

You know when I read that passage in this book today I was really touched, lately I have been thinking about certain passions that my heart desires and which ones I should follow, or ignore in order to please God, then I realized, God has filled my heart with different passions, and if I follow them, he will use me, wherever I am in Society. He will use me to my fullest potential if I submit myself, which I am very willing to do.

When I was reading my journal I really felt like I wanted to share it with the youth group and on my blog, so... over the next few days I am going to take time to copy stuff out of my journal onto here from the week before and both weeks at the Dream Center. Hopefully you will enjoy. Stay tuned!

Wanting to share,

Colton

When You're in Love

O God, I have tasted thy goodness, and it has both satisfied me and made me thirsty for more. I am painfully conscious of my need for further grace. I am ashamed of my lack of desire. O God, the Almighty God, I want to want Thee; I lone to be filled with longing; I thirst to be made more thirsty still. Show me Thy glory, I pray Thee, so that may know Thee indeed. begin in mercy a new work of love within me. Say to my soul, "Rise up my love, my fair one, and come away with me." Then give me grace to rise and follow Thee up from this misty lowland where I have wandered.

When you are truly in love, you go to great lengths to be with the one you love. You'll drive for hours to be together. Walking in the rain isn't annoying, it's romantic. When you're apart from each other it's miserable and painful. That person is all you think about, you jump at any chance to be together. Is that God, for you?

You know, I have been reading this crazy love book again, and I also love love. I want it, I crave it, I LOVE it, and that is what god wants - to crave a relationship with him. That is what brings him glory, when believers desire Him, and don't serve him because they feel obligated.

When we love, we are free. We don't have to worry about a burdensome load of commands, because when we are loving, we can't sin.

Psalms 63:1-5 ---

O God, you are my God,
earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you,
my body longs for you,
in a dry and weary land
where there is no water.

I have seen you in the sanctuary
and beheld your power and your glory.

Because your love is better than life,
my lips will glorify you.

I will praise you as long as I live,
and in your name I will lift up my hands.

My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods;
with singing lips my mouth will praise you.

Get this, I need God to help me love God. So, if I am to love human beings, who are far from the perfection that God holds, then I definitely need his help to love. Look at this cycle: Our prayers for more lover result in love, which naturally causes us to pray more, which results in more love. Haha, think of this, you wouldn't go for a run while eating a box of twinkies. It would be near impossible, you would have to stop running in order to eat the box of Twinkies. In the same way we have to stop loving and pursuing Christ in order to sin, and isn't that our goal? As long as we are running, we are safe.

Jesus said that in this world we will have trouble, but he has overcome the world, so take heart! He has overcome the world, so let's fight the good fight, pray continuously, and not grow weary. There is nothing better than giving up everything and stepping into a passionate love relationship with God.

------- All this can be found in the book "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan. -------

Sleepy, and going to California in seven days(wee-hoo),

Colton

A Fiercely Jealous Lover

James 4:1-10 ---- The Message

^1-2Where do you think all these appalling wars and quarrels come from? Do you think they just happen? Think again. They come about because you want your own way, and fight for it deep inside yourselves. You lust for what you don't have and are willing to kill to get it. You want what isn't yours and will risk violence to get your hands on it.

^2-3You wouldn't think of just asking God for it, would you? And why not? Because you know you'd be asking for what you have no right to. You're spoiled children, each wanting your own way.

^4-6You're cheating on God. If all you want is your own way, flirting with the world every chance you get, you end up enemies of God and his way. And do you suppose God doesn't care? The proverb has it that "he's a fiercely jealous lover." And what he gives in love is far better than anything else you'll find. It's common knowledge that "God goes against the willful proud; God gives grace to the willing humble."

^7-10So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he'll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it's the only way you'll get on your feet.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

There was so much going through my mind today of what I should write about, I actually started once, and then stopped and left it. One option was about blessing people, another one was being open and honest in Christ. Then it hit me, I need to be honest, need to be real and write about something on my heart today, not something that came to mind, because it is then that people will be able to take away and get something from what I write.... So, to be honest, I am tired, a little weary, maybe stressed, feel like people are always nagging me? Pressure is on in school, and I have been racing. Running a race, but maybe not God's race.

I have really truly been consumed with the world over the past week, and it is really starting to effect me, just tonight I opened my bible and started reading old favourite verses and my smile and pure joy grew, there really is no substitute for God. You know, when we are not at our high points we have smaller and smaller amounts of teaching to offer, so now I am back on track. Forgive me?

My favorite line(I think) in the above passage is this.. "And do you suppose God doesn't care? The proverb has it that "he's a fiercely jealous lover." And what he gives in love is far better than anything else you'll find"

There is so much truth in that. You know, a lot of times I am so strong in God, but it's only one half of my life, then at other parts in my day I am consumed with my social life, school, you name it, etc. I loose focus, this verse talks about how we want our own way, and honestly, I KNOW I am guilty of that, God will clearly tell me over and over again not to do something, then because I WANT to, I do it, and in the end it causes unnecessary frustration in my life, and I think, why didn't I listen?

I also love this line... "Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out." Haha, it is so true. Why don't we let go of what we think we want and just listen to what God knows will truly satisfy us? You know, James is known for being a little harsh, but I like it... When you think about it, we are some pretty naughty children to our Father, sometimes we don't always listen. You know what's beautiful? That whenever we lift our hearts and ask Daddy to pick us up, just like a two year old would? He does. Re-read that verse over and over again there is so much to get from it, so much honesty, no candy coating. :)

"Get down on your knees before the Master; it's the only way you'll get on your feet."

Lifting my hands, and asking,

Colton.

Food for Thought.

Dear Readers,

I am not studying for an exam, which I should be studying for, I have writers block.

Hmm, but one thing hit me today...

This is nothing prophetic, just a thought that occurred to me.

Sometimes we make a big sin, a big mistake.

Overtime we are over those sins, say, we get rid of that which was holding us back, we overcome sin. Then we get back to our life, perhaps time passes. Eventually we fall into another hole. Say, another temptation, completely opposite... sometimes we get into the mind set that sense this new temptation or sin isn't as bad as the one before it's okay to commit the sin.

Wrong, sin is sin; And we should try our hardest to destroy everything, no matter what the size or level of severity, that keeps us from coming closer to our lover.

Just food for thought, I am going to leave you with a favourite verse of mine then head back to studying. Keep tuning in guys, I promise after Exams are over these blogs will get back on track. God Bless.

Jeremiah 17:5-8 ---

^5-6God's Message:

"Cursed is the strong one
who depends on mere humans,
Who thinks he can make it on muscle alone
and sets God aside as dead weight.
He's like a tumbleweed on the prairie,
out of touch with the good earth.
He lives rootless and aimless
in a land where nothing grows.

^7-8"But blessed is the man who trusts me, God,
the woman who sticks with God.
They're like trees replanted in Eden,
putting down roots near the rivers—
Never a worry through the hottest of summers,
never dropping a leaf,
Serene and calm through droughts,
bearing fresh fruit every season.

Studying,

Colton

Extreme

This is a piece of a devotion book I was reading today, I am just going to leave it with you and let you take what you will from it, it really challenged me, inspired me.

On Trial for Sharing the Gospel ---

Anila and Perveen (these names have been changed to protect the individuals and their families) 17 and 18 years old Pakistan 1997

~~~

Anila met Perveen at school. As their friendship grew, Anila gave Perveen a Bible and taught her Christian songs. Perveen quickly learned Christian songs and began to teach them to her younger sister when her parents weren’t home. Perveen’s parents soon learned of the songs. Being strict Mus- lims, they were not happy about them. But rather than con- fronting Perveen right away, they had her younger sister try to find out where she was getting this Christian influence.

Anila eventually invited Perveen to a Good Friday ser- vice. When the young Muslim heard the Gospel presenta- tion, she immediately accepted Jesus. Perveen became very excited about her new relationship with Jesus and saw great changes take place in her life. She read her Bible and praised God boldly. Anila knew that, before long, her friend would encounter opposition from her family.

Perveen’s parents were furious when they learned of her conversion. They had previously arranged for her to marry a Muslim man. When Perveen again refused, she ran away.

When Perveen’s parents could not find her, they accused Anila and her pastor of kidnapping her. They had Anila arrested. Anila was slapped and beaten in front of her parents for over nine hours. Finally she was taken to prison.

Anila’s pastor and his family were taken to prison on the following day. Anila and her pastor experienced horrible tor- tures in jail. She was whipped sixteen times (five times would make a normal man pass out). When they were released, Anila could not sit for two months, and her pastor could barely walk from the bruises on his hips and thighs.

Perveen was later found by her family. In Muslim nations, children are often severely beaten for converting to Chris- tianity. Others are killed by their own parents or siblings for apostasy, converting to another faith.

To restore the honor of his family, Perveen’s brother stabbed her to death. He then turned himself in to the local authorities. As is not uncommon in such situations, he was eventually released without incident.

Anila was then arrested on charges of kidnapping.

She was imprisoned, then released on bail a little more than a month later. She and her family went into hiding, as their lives were threatened by radical Muslims.

In May 1999, Anila was acquitted of all charges. Praise God for the prayers of faithful believers around the world! Continue to pray for her protection as she remains in hiding.

“I have seen the world,” Anila said, “and it has nothing good. Jesus is my only peace.”

There are hundreds, maybe thousands of other, similar stories that are never told of Christian children and teens, their stories must be told being killed by their Muslim parents.

Jesus said this would happen:

Brothers will give their own brothers to be killed, and fathers will give their own children to be killed. Children will fight against their own parents and have them put to death. All people will hate you because you follow me, but those people who keep their faith until the end will be saved.

Jesus (MATTHEW 10:21,22 NCV)

Pray for these young believers, that God will protect them and strengthen them. Pray for their parents, that they too will come to know Jesus as Lord. And most of all, forgive their persecutors and pray for the Muslim peo- ple to find the love of Jesus Christ and be saved.

Again, I just found this in the Jesus Freaks book, extreme devotion. Check it out, these are real people, real lives, real decision, REAL FAITH.

Inspired, and in awe,

Colton

Can't hold my love back from you.

All of tonight's church service I was thinking... "I need to write these thoughts down to share them on my blog." Of course, now that I'm home and ready to write I can't remember all of them.

First thing's first.

There is this simplicity of God's presence, that no matter what, when I come near to him, I am lifted up and filled with a joy that absolutely forces me to smile and laugh and sing. Every time! Wether it be at night falling asleep, by myself driving in a car, in the middle of a class, or at a service, his love never fails. I was standing in church tonight just worshipping God and just thinking about how wonderful his promises are and how he will never let us down, ever!

He put us on this earth to praise him, to bless his name, and I feel like I have to do that with the rest of my life, otherwise I will not being doing what I love to do, I will not be filled with this joy that I feel is all I need. Which leads me into what God was telling me a couple nights ago while driving home from work.

There was a point in the worship service tonight where Mom stopped leading worship and was talking about God's love and his never ending mercy, and how no matter how many times we feel we screw up, he will always take us back, he does not remember our wrongs, and keeps no records of our sins. She was talking about how God doesn't care about that, he let's that go and continues to further us into maturity with him. I was touched by that.

So, back to the conversation in the car, which I promised I would share. Lately I have been thinking a lot about my future, my teachers have been pushing me to take workshops and go into the performing arts, that I would be crazy not to try it. However, for some reason, I feel so compelled to be a revivalist for God. To show people his love and pray for people and lead people in worshipping him. In this conversation god just made it clear to me how I could never survive without the joy he has given me, and I realize I get that indestructible joy by praising him. I feel like that holds true for a lot of people! I just feel so secure when I'm worshipping him, that it is what I am called to be doing. With that, so much grows, and matures. I want that, I crave that.

Singing my love,

Colton

Today

HEY THERE!

So today I was talking to a guy who goes to the youth group that my mom does. He asked me a question... " How do you know if you're in love."

Instantly, I resorted to 1 Corinthians 13 ---

⁴Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

It's so true, of course we look at this verse if we have feelings for a person, but did you ever notice how this is describing a perfect love? A love of God? This is how he loves. I was always taught that if you ever thought you were in love, test yourself against this verse, wether you are a Christian or not, a good love, a love that will last, has to fit this criteria.

You know, when I was talking to this guy today I learned so much. I was talking about how when we are 12 years old we have a certain perception of love. And as we grow our ability to give and receive love matures, as well as the love itself. Until finally we are able to understand and see how much, and how perfect God loves us, and how much we can love him. That is when we can fully understand what that powerful four letter word actually means, and how much significance it actually has. I challenger you to test yourself against this verse daily, keep yourself in check. god tells us to show His love; His love is perfect. So let's perfect our love.

On a side note, it is so encouraging to have younger guys ask me for advice, it feels like I have done something right to be able to be asked something, and give something back. I really like that, just throwing that out there. God is moving. Forever and always moving.

Which reminds me, I was driving home from work about two days ago and had a huge conversation with God... and you know what? I'm going to save that for tomorrow. Don't let me forget.

Drowning in Love,

Colton

No Other Way.

I am slowly falling asleep at the computer screen, my eyes are getting heavy and there is so much on my mind tonight...

1 Peter 3:3-4 ---

"Don't be concerned with outward beauty that depends on fancy hairstyles, expensive jewellery and beautiful clothes. You should be known for the beauty that comes from within."

That being one of them.

When I look at this verse I don't take it as literal, as my exact hair, and clothes, I more so think of the whole "fitting in" society. In high school there is so much pressure to fit in, and I don't know why but this year it has really hit me. Why do I care? In the end, this world has nothing to offer me, these people I could spend time trying to impress, really don't matter. Why do I care what people think when really I should only be concerned as what my Father thinks of me?

It seems like such an easy thing to say, well it is easy to say, but it is so hard to do. I honestly believe it is one of the reasons why we sometimes are so strong with god when we are by ourselves and then when we go to school, or hit a crowd, we begin falling from what our goal is, we become distracted with gossip, or what someone is wearing or what people are saying about us.

Sometimes we find ourselves all worked up and overwhelmed, and stressed about this way that people see us, and now that I am thinking about it, that is a trick from Satan. The bible says that Satan is like a Lion waiting to pounce. If he sees that we care what people think, he will use that, and distract from what we are supposed to be doing. It's so incredible to think about how it all works out.

We go to school, and instead of being yourself and shining the light of guy, you try to act tough around certain people, so that they will think you are "cool". Or you say things that really aren't like you at all. I am realizing that this is bogus! Haha, God made us the way we are supposed to be, PERFECTLY! We make mistakes, and he uses those mistakes. Everything about us, about our character that has developed, he uses. So let's not hide that by some facade that we are told to wear to be the norm. Let's be proud to have been changed by this power, that is how people will see the light of God and come to it, honesty, be ourselves, that's who God is wanting to use! God uses us the way we are. No other way.

Being used the way I am,

Colton

Stop.

Have you just sat in stillness and thought about His greatness? Yes, we always ponder how He could love someone like me, or how He forgives continuously... But do we ever realize how absolutely powerful and almighty this God is?

Watch this video then keep reading!

http://www.crazylovebook.com/videos_awe.html

After I watched this all I could do was sit in amazement, like it says: Speechless, Amazed, and Humbled. My mom bought the book "Crazy Love" and it so true, every word speaks a new truth, and I haven't gotten past chapter two yet. So far it has challenged me to Stop! Stop Praying. Stop listing of demands and asking favours and just sit in his presence and admire is holiness. When you conquer that, and put yourself into that... Well, there really is no greater reward, my mind can ramble forever is his holiness.

I am the type guy who is forever on the run. Always moving to the next place, not usually taking time to stop and smell the roses. However, when I did stop to sniff, the aroma that filled my lungs was addicting and therefore I will forever be stopping to sniff. (Cheesy analogy of the night, hope you enjoy.)

Psalm 19:1-4 ---

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.

In Daniel 4:35 it says that No one can hold back his hand or say to him: "What have you done?" He is the one who is always right, he truly, deeply, always knows the answer and always knows what it best for us. He is the perfect father for a human being of any age.

I want to quote this book to you, but instead I shall encourage you to read it for yourself. It truly is phenomenal.

I don't know what else to say other than I hope you can find that place where you sit and soak in his love and just stare at his power. I challenge you to find time to do this once a day. We spend so much time praying to him, but what if we stop? Stop and sniff. Pick up the rose, and don't let go. Give him all the praise he deserves.

Stopping, and sniffing - more like inhaling at this point,

Colton.

Recharging.

Nothing can separate
Even if I ran away
Your love never fails

I know I still make mistakes, but
You have new mercy for me everyday
Your love never fails

You stay the same through the ages
Your love never changes
There may be pain in the night
But joy comes in the morning
And when the oceans rage
I don’t have to be afraid
Because I know that you love me
And your love never fails

The wind is strong and the water’s deep, but
I’m not alone here in these open seas
Cause your love never fails

The chasm was far too wide
I never thought I’d reach the other side
But your love never fails

You make all things, work together for my good

--- I'm not sure if someone needed to read those lyrics or not, but I know that they have been on my heart all day. Read them really read them. I'm going to be honest bloggers, I am exhausted. I don't have a lot to say other then I am praying for new strength to rise up within me. The only thing that can satisfy me is God. The world has nothing to offer me.
"Take the world but give me you, all I want is you. In the heavens and the earth, there is no one like our God, and these words aren't enough to tell of your great love."

Whenever I find myself tired, lyrics and verses from the bible, and just soaking in his presence really encourage me, I am telling you guys to give it a try, trust me, God promised he will meet us there, and when he says he will, he really does. Smile.

Tired, but soaking in the Lord, recharging,
Colton

Re-Cap

So, I have had a tiring, stressful day, which I don't get often.

Then this evening, while I was waiting for some dang technology to work, I look at my old blog, I read some really old posts and it was basically, well, horrible, haha -- but in the same time almost laughable. It makes me think of this verse.

Jeremiah 29:11 ---

I'll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home. I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.

In the New International Version it says --

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

You see, so many times while I was writing that blog I felt hopeless, lost, abandoned, worthless, like I was done in life, like I had no future. I was wrong. You see God promises us this, a future, prosperity! He will never leave us, he will always be holding our hand and looking out for us, even when we feel we are nowhere near him.

In a way, reading my past blog made me scared. Just worried that I would have to go through that stage of my spiritual journey or life again. In other ways it opened my eyes to how incredibly genius our God is, and how protective he is of his children. I guess it is something we always have to remember, that he will never leave us or forsake us. He has a plan for us to come out on top, for us to win. So let's meet Him half way, He is always reaching out for us, so let's grab his hand, let him pull us out of any mud that we are in. He is always waiting.

Never going back,

Colton.

Click

Okay, you ready for this?

After this blog, you may think my imagination is dark and morbid but I truly believe this was a vision or lesson or something from God.

I was on the way home tonight from Fredericton and my Grandfather was driving. I was looking at him, the perfect image of a role model, of a man of God, who has committed his life, his business, his ALL to God. I know no human is perfect, but this man is the closest thing I can find.

For anyone who knows me, knows how close I am to my family. So I was driving home, and this vision was just laid upon my eyes, of my family, my Grandfather, all gone, just me left by myself. Basically, they were dead. I thought about how much it hurt, and how perfect they were to me.

Then it clicked.

I just felt this sincere love, this love that I have for my family, and I thought about God, this is how much he loves us, by millions, and I mean ADORES us, it is unfathomable. I became overwhelmed. He gave up his son, His Son, barbarically crucified, to save us. That is some kind of love.

We have always heard the verse John 3:16, tonight I read it in The Message, and there was just a different feel.

---

"This is how much God loved the world. He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why, so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life."

I guess it clicked tonight because I realized how much I love my grandfather, how in my mind he is perfect; Now imagine that love, and giving it away to save the world. That is such, a gift, an honour, I don't even know what to call it! I am blessed and I know that my God and my Lord gave away his Son, and that Son willingly agreed and died for me, because He Was Perfect, therefore I am willing to die and give my all for him. Absolutely.

Thankful,

Colton

Anointed.

He put this song of Praise in my heart.

1 John 2:26 ---

I've written to warn you about those who are trying to deceive you. But they're no match for what is embedded deeply within you—Christ's anointing, no less! You don't need any of their so-called teaching. Christ's anointing teaches you the truth on everything you need to know about yourself and him, uncontaminated by a single lie. Live deeply in what you were taught.

All day I have been thinking about anointing. How we as Christians all are anointed in a specific area. And once we find out what that anointing is, then we now what god's will is for us, we realize why his anointing is over us. Like that verse, people, temptation, Satan, they are all deceivers that are trying to tell us what to do, but this passion, this love, this energy, this "anointing" that is bubbling up inside of me, and inside of you defeats that! Completely! And sets on straight on the path that god has made for us. WOOO.

I love the part of that verse where it says that his anointing is everything we need to know about ourselves, and about him. I know for the past four years of my life I have been searching through just about everything trying to find who I am and who I am supposed to be, but now I have found it, I have found it in him! I know who I am, who he has called me to be, and that truly is an unbelievably peaceful feeling that causes overflowing joy. Nothing can rob me of that! And it is absolutely the same for you! So many people, teens, adults, have such a difficult time finding their identity, finding who they are, what they are meant to be doing in this world. Ask God and find out, turn to him for the answers, he'll show you. Stop looking in all the wrong places, it is here. In him.

Let's live deeply, in his anointing. Without any lies, all truth; The true us, the true God, in love.

Anointed and excited,

Colton.

L-O-V-E

Let's not just talk about love; let's practice real love. This is the only way we'll know we're living truly, living in God's reality. It's also the way to shut down debilitating self-criticism, even when there is something to it. For God is greater than our worried hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves.

And friends, once that's taken care of and we're no longer accusing or condemning ourselves, we're bold and free before God! We're able to stretch our hands out and receive what we asked for because we're doing what he said, doing what pleases him. Again, this is God's command: to believe in his personally named Son, Jesus Christ. He told us to love each other, in line with the original command. As we keep his commands, we live deeply and surely in him, and he lives in us. And this is how we experience his deep and abiding presence in us: by the Spirit he gave us.

01 John 3:18-24 ---

Perfect Love.

Hey Bloggers, I was just reading my bible, and this really popped up and caught my eye. I hope it does the same for you as it did for me. There is so much truth in it, Let's practice real love! It is the number one, the basic, the first commandment, the "most important" commandment. Love. When we truly love all, it is then that we are understanding God's ways, and living in his reality!! So real, so true. This thing about self-criticism, our worries, love destroys those, love is bigger than that, in fact Love is the most powerful thing on earth and in heaven. Once we let love take over we are free! Free. The bible says that whoever the Son sets free is free indeed. We are free indeed with love! We will be pleasing God when we love, and isn't that our main goal? This is how we experience him, how we encounter him! Through Love. a love encounter, we will never be the same. the world will never be the same if we all love.

So let's practice love. Real Love. Let's wear off our loving spirits on people, let's love people so much that they have no other option then to love others around them. Let's practice loving those who have hurt us, who do hurt us. Let's be like Jesus, let's do this.

"All you need is love."

Colton.

Attention

How do we expect God to use us with the big things if we don't sacrifice ourselves even for the little things?
I catch myself in the mind frame of "You know what, this is just small, it won't make a big difference." WRONG.
Like I've said before,
1) Little things count, you feel God compelling you to pick up a piece of trash, and you think what good is that going to do? Who knows, maybe it could make someones day, or someone could see that and be inspired. One small thing in our eyes could one massive thing in the eyes of those who are watching.
2) Secondly, has it ever occurred that maybe God is training you to be obedient in following and hearing his voice? That's what I was thinking about today, you see, he really does have it all figured out. He knows exactly how things need to happen.
3) When we hear God's voice telling us not to do something it's the exact same thing, we think, "Hey, what's this one swear word going to do?" Little do we know that one person could hear that, and all of a sudden in their mind they are thinking, hypocrite, and then begin to question what we base our commitments and our faith on?

I don't know, today, my mind has been thinking about that so much! They way that people see us, and how someone is always watching, including God.
Get this, there are two ways our lives could go.
One - The way God has planned for us, prosperous, successful, peaceful.
Then there is option two - the way of the world. Which would lead to corruption, and hurt, and ache.

You know, God says that there is no lukewarm. And that lukewarm Christians are a waste, pick a side.
SO my mind goes, I know what side I want to be one, I know how both options end and I know which side I will be happy on. Then I figure, each little decision we make, takes us on a step towards that ultimate place.

Maybe my mind is swollen, and maybe I am overtired and thinking to much, but I really believe there is truth to this.

I think this kind of sums some of it up.
Phillippians 3:15-16 ---
So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you'll see it yet! Now that we're on the right track, let's stay on it.

Goodnight My Bloggers.

Paying Attention to The Details,
Colton

Be Bold

Dear Readers,
Today I am at a block. A writer's block. I don't know what to say, I prayed for words to flow through me to help someone on the other end, but I didn't really get a solid answer, yet, one thing is on my heart. Maybe it's a sign?

I feel like a broken record, but, sometimes I feel like I'm not doing enough. When it's me and God it is fantastic, I am worshipping I am talking, I am learning, then I encounter people. What do I do? My mind drifts back to the verse where Jesus tells his disciples to go to all ends of the earth and share the good news. He didn't mean go and live your life, and not tell anybody about how you have been changed, he said SHARE!

I know that sometimes as christians this is hard, it's called peer pressure. We fall into habits of sinning, and we are used to it. Somehow, we have to find a way to break the mold. And no, I don't mean go out there, carrying a bible bigger then your torso, chanting in tongues every second. In fact, Paul said to try and fit in with the world, not by following and joining in their sin, but by making friendships with non-christains, building relationships, opening up to people. Once we open up to people, we open the door to talk about our God in a comfortable way. Once our friends feel comfortable they will open up to our God in heaven. There's a verse about that too!

Matthew 5:16 ---
"By opening up to others, you'll promote people to open up with God this generous Father in Heaven."

You know, lately, well, all night actually, this has been burning in my soul. We need to pray for boldness. Well personally, I know that's my next step. I have a friendships, I have people who open up with me, and new people who are beginning to open up with me, and I need the boldness to know that when i have the opportunity I have to take it.

I read a story last night of a man who was in on a six way conference business call, his job was not to talk, but to take notes. Before the actual conference got started, two people on the phone were having a conversation about how one of them was about to go through an extreme back surgery that had a hefty repair time attached to it. This man struggled with the idea of it, but eventually went with the burning in his heart and took a step, he asked if he could pray for this women on the other end of the phone and she said yes, within 5 minutes she was completely healed. Everyone on the phone was shocked, of course, they went and told their families, etc. And you see how it works? How God works? How much it pays off?

Stay on guard, pray for opportunities, for wisdom, and for boldness.

Becoming Bold,
Colton

Addiction

I'm addicted to his presence.
Last night was reading a book titled, "Living for God, beyond the spiritual high."
Which is so... right... Sometimes I feel we go to a conference and we are high, and then we come back to our life, and hit a wall, conform to the world, and then in my case, become frustrated with ourselves because we are back to the same person we were.
You see, this all changed for me over the past year. I made a commitment. I realized I needed to give my all in order to continue to live, it was too hard, I was living too many lives and I couldn't keep track.
Then I found this verse.

Romans 12:2 ---
So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.

Side note:

This verse really made me pull up my socks, it inspired me, in ways. In other translations it says that after you no long conform to the world you will be transformed BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND, THEN YOU WILL BE ABLE TO SEE GOD'S WILL, HIS PERFECT AND PLEASING WILL. I love that!

-Inspiring-

SO, back to what i was reading last night, people have come up to me and said, it's so hard to find time to be with God, to soak in his presence and grow. So, here's what I got. Take time in the morning, as soon as you wake up to come to him, and like he promised, when we come to him he will come to us. Read his word, worship him and spend time hearing his voice, training yourself to obey. Pray and ask God to give you the ability to continue talking to him all the way until lunch. Now the reason I say that, the bible says to pray continuously, but that it is definitely a little tricky, so what about, every time you start something new like a class, a work project, a chore, you pray to God to continue to guide you through the day and just spend time talking to him. Then at lunch, ask him to help you continue to talk to him until Supper, you continue with your day, and then at supper you pray the same, except this time, until you go to bed. Soon enough the day is done, and you've been talking to God all day.
As humans we get distracted, but let that verse be an encouragement to you to continue to strive to always talk to him, wether it be in your head, a whisper, a quick direction, anything.
Like I said I am addicted, and this really helped me out. Now I am always talking to my Lord, and what is better then getting what your addicted to, all the time? If it's healthy, then nothing!
God bless.
Let's do this, let's commit.

An addict,
Colton

Scream

You know what?
I just wrote a whole blog, and then erased it, realizing how much of an idiot I am.
See, I had a rough day, let's be honest. When I re-read my blog, I was just nagging on God for how worthless I was an how disappointed I was in myself. And you know what? He slapped me upside the face!

I went for a drive to my voice lesson, and on the way I was upset about something, and I asked God why. Why was I so tired today? Why did I waste so much time on the computer? Why did I spend my time thinking about stupid wordly things, like what people think of me, or how insecure I am? And God Stopped me, he said scream. I was taken back.
"What?"
"Scream"
"I'll look like an idiot."
"Scream"

I did scream, and as I did, the Holy Spirit came over me and I let everything out. I don't know why but today out of nowhere all of these terrible worries were thrust upon me, and I had a horrible attitude towards people who annoyed me, and I was the complete opposite of who God made me. It was so frustrating, and in that scream, I just felt like I let it all out, and there I was with God, in stillness and simplicity.
And I smiled. Simple, all of a sudden, it didn't matter what people thought of me, or how good or bad I was at things, or how much money I had. It was gone. And there are so many verses in the bible of God speaking to us about not worrying or keeping our emotions in or stored about about this earth, because in the end it will dissolve to dust. Where will those things be then?

So, hey bloggers, I had a rough day, and I can admit it, but I know God used me anyway, he always does, and no matter how useless I feel this blog is, and discouraged I feel, I pray that you got something from it. Enjoy, and may your day be blessed.

Screaming and Listening,
Colton

The Ultimate Cookie.

Do you know how the most delicious traditional dessert known to man was created?
And yes, I am talking bout the Chocolate Chip Cookie.
It is very true that the way the chocolate chip cookie was made was actually a mistake.
The inventor of the cookie thought it would be sly to add a hint of chocolate to her cookies, but to her dismay the Chocolate didn't dissolve into the dough when it was baked, leaving massive chocolate chunks. At first people were distraught, then the baker decided to add some more ingredients, and with the chocolate still there she created a masterpiece, as we all can see.

This story made me think, God made us, the cookie. I'd like to think of myself as a cookie, it's a nice thought, anyway, we are the cookie, sin is the chocolate chunks, now hear me out, I am in no way saying that Sin and us going together make a Masterpiece, haha far from it... But with the touch of God, our baker, a miracle occurred. He used our sins, our mistakes, our failures, and despite how much we as humans, or cookies, think we are ruined by the chocolate smears, the baker uses them for our good.

This reminds of the theme "forgiving yourself" and letting it go, God forgives us so we have to do the same. You see, our father is a complete genius! We must put our trust in him and even though we may feel like we have screwed up big time, or there is no way that we will be able to be used by God because of what we have done, we are wrong! God is in charge. He takes the mistakes we have made, picks us up, dusts us off, and uses everything that we feel is "crap" to help us bring people to hear his good news.

So, if that isn't enough far out analogy for one night then I don't know how to satisfy your craving. Hah, here are the lyrics to a great song by the band down here, this song somewhat deals with the same issue, it all goes together, then again, everything does when the Lord is involved.

In the cookie oven,
Colton.


You keep laying down $100 bills
On the counter of your untamed guilt
And you'll keep paying out from your empty purse
Until you feel you've satisfied your curse
No one here is throwing stones
But you have got to drop your own

Forgive yourself, forgive yourself
Anyone who bears a scar wants to forget it
Forgive yourself, forgive yourself
Nothing ever frees you more than just believing
That you've been forgiven, come out of the prison

Can you tell me how you spend every day
Looking in the mirror of your shame
And staring like a judge, you are ruling for yourself
You tied a stone around your neck
You're drowning in a past regret

Don't believe it's okay to be like this
Don't believe you deserve to live like this
'Cause every part of you wants to know
Just one reason why you should let go

Forgive yourself, forgive yourself
Nothing ever frees you more than just believing
Come out of the prison
You've been delivered

Bright Evident Presence

1 Peter 4:7-11 ---
Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted. Stay wide-awake in prayer. Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything. Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless—cheerfully. Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God's words; if help, let it be God's hearty help. That way, God's bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he'll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything—encores to the end of time. Oh, yes!

I think that's my goal. To show God's bright presence and make it evident in everything. I read that today and I smiled. Actually, so far today I have smiled a lot, this morning in church we had a guest speaker, and the bases of his message was the verse that I wrote about last night. It's so... Perfect, the way god works. Of course the guest speaker talked about different things that I mentioned, but in the same sense, I learned more about what I was already talking about. Does that makes sense?

Secondly, well this has been on my mind all day. How do we expect to get all these gifts from God, if we don't ask for them. Let me rephrase that... Well for me, I use the gifts God has given me to draw people towards his love. But how do we expect to have those gifts without asking? I think sometimes we have the mentality that if God wants to give us gifts he will, just like BAM! When you think about it, that's absurd. Ex: I pray to travel the world, God blesses me with the gift of a supportive family, money, and the opportunity to travel. So I get to travel and praise God while I'm doing it, in the past two years I have gone on multiple trips. A true blessing.

It's like that story, the guy goes to Heaven, meets Peter, Peter takes him into a room full of wonders and gifts and miracles. the man ask what it is and Peter explains that it is everything God wanted to give Him but he never asked for It.

Okay, so my favourite Bible story... this little dude named Jabez. He was bold and prayed to God to bless him indeed, for God to enlarge his territory, and keep him from evil. God heard his prayed and was pleased, he blessed Jabez his entire life because of that prayer. So let's be bold, let's asks for gifts from God, and then give all the glory to our father, just like that verse says. God's presence will be evident! Woo, that makes me excited.

Forever blessed,
Colton.

Submitted

Come near to God and he will come near to you.
I open my old Bible tonight, and I come to the end of the book of James, and in the margin, in my own grade five handwriting, is that line... "Come near to God and He will come near to you."
I scan James, that line actually comes from chapter five, verse eight.
The whole thing goes like this.
James 5:7-8 ---
Submit yourselves to God. Resist the Devil and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands you sinners, and purify your hearts.

Okay, so in these two lines there is so much power!
One) A direction - "Submit yourselves to God" - for obvious reasons. Like I said last night, when we totally commit and submit ourselves to God, no one can say that we are hypocritical, and people will then accept what we have to offer. Also, when we are totally in tune with God, by submitting yourself to him, you can then hear his voice and follow the path he has for you. As well, when we submit to God completely, nothing, I repeat -- NOTHING can destroy, which leads into the next part.
Two) Resist the Devil and he will flee from you. Isn't that a sweet relief? To know, that when we are committed to our God, and we learn to totally resist Satan he will have no choice to run from us? That is the power that we can possess when we find that inner strength.
And then comes my hand-written note.
Three) Come near to God and he will come near to you. It's simplicity, it's perfect. It is a promise of God that is so comforting, and holds true in any situation, wether we are daily seeking our Father's never ending love, or we are needing a refresher from a long hard time in our life. If we make the effort to come to our God and humble ourselves, he will surely come to us. It's like my Mom always told me... "Meet God half way" That's what this reminds me of.

Well Blog Readers, I hoped I have blessed you tonight with that verse that somewhat slapped me in the face, thought I'd share. Blessings.

Submitted,
Colton

"A Simple Guide to Behaviour"

When I opened my bible tonight this is the title I come to, it's Matthew chapter seven. I look closer. The one line on the page that I have underlined is this, "It was apparent that he was living everything he was saying." If you read the whole paragraph is says this...
Matthew 7:28-29 ---
"When Jesus concluded his address, the crowd burst into applause. They had never heard teaching like this. It was apparent that he was living everything he was saying—quite a contrast to their religion teachers! This was the best teaching they had ever heard."
Do you ever feel like, "one of there religion teachers"? As if you know everything to do, you tell others when they are doing wrong or right, you try to tell people about God, and teach his grace, yet you go and live a life of hypocrisy. You know what sucks? Sometimes I do that! In my mind, it's like any other sin or temptation, you slip into it, gossip, sex, alcohol or... you know what, I'm not naming off sins, that's a waste of time, but you get the point. But look at this...

When Jesus finished his teaching, the crowd broke into applause, meaning they accepted it... they learned something. I know another thing for me is, I try to shine the light of god but sometimes feel like no one around me is getting it... well DUH! It makes sense now, I wouldn't listen to a teacher who taught me something and then went and did the opposite, it doesn't make sense.
This was the best teaching they had ever heard.
Think of the success that we as evangelists would encounter if we made that extra effort to be more like Jesus, to live by everything we teach. I shouldn't say we, I should say I. My friends, people around me... accepting God's love, his never ending love, and mercy. Wow.

You know what? Sometimes I feel like I'm writing these blogs, and I convince myself that absolutely no one is ever going to think this is useful, or they already knew that, or I'm just ranting. However, right now, I kind of clicked on to something, I put the pieces together, I am seeing why sometimes we as, revivalists, don't see a change or a growth that we wish we would, we have to live it. Just live it.

A line from a song long ago went like this "I want to be mistaken for Jesus, I need to be mistaken for you." I always thought that was kind of, wrong? Like "You will never be like Jesus, he is one of a kind." But now I know what the song writer meant. And it's true, and now this is my goal. I will let you know how it goes :).

Thanks readers for bearing with my self discovery over this topic. I promise, my next post won't be as.. well... "all over the place."


Forever in love,
Colton.

Ultimate Invite

Hey folks!
I have a proposition, or maybe more of a challenge, I challenge you to find words that are more inviting or more perfect than the following...

Matthew 11:28-30 ---
Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me -- watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly.

See, I've looked, I've looked to the world for something "easier" or more "comfortable" - but guess what? It's impossible. This is Jesus telling us to come to him, in other translations, He is telling us that there is no easier way in life and that his burden is light. AH, this frustrates me, because there really aren't words, or at least in my small vocabulary, to describe how PEACEFUL this path really is. Take a look, God will always be there to hold your hand, ready to teach you the unforced rhythms of grace. Beauty.


Other than that, today was a "good" day, sometimes I wish i didn't have to go to school and I could just worship all day long, or spend time writing blogs and learning, however, this is where God put me, in this schedule, so this is where I will be, trying my hardest to serve him. I think I'm going to try harder, I hate slipping up. Anywho, I am sleepy, and tomorrow will be longer. I work until midnight, so tomorrow's blog may be extra late and extra short. Haha, it's time like these when I am glad I have a saviour.

By the way, I will be waiting for comments to see if any of you can top that for "inviting" words. Good luck. ;)



Covered in love,
Colton

Fresh Strength

One of my favourite verses from Isaiah.
I'm not going to beat around the bush, I'm exhausted. It's laughable, I feel drained. I am guessing it's the first day back to work for me and it really took all my energy, sucked it up, and then threw it all over the floor, to be trampled by the mob of kids at school.
So then, I was driving home, and I thought, I want to continue this blog thing, I'm not stopping this. I was worshipping in my car, like a tired old man, and that verse came to me.

Isaiah 40:27-31 ----
God doesn't come and go. God lasts.
He's Creator of all you can see or imagine.
He doesn't get tired out, doesn't pause to catch his breath.
And he knows everything, inside and out.
He energizes those who get tired,
gives fresh strength to dropouts.
For even young people tire and drop out,
young folk in their prime stumble and fall.
But those who wait upon God get fresh strength.
They spread their wings and soar like eagles,
They run and don't get tired,
they walk and don't lag behind.

It basically says it all. I remember the first time that verse was shown to me, I was at summer camp, I was about to give up on God, I was tired and weary, I wanted to hear God speak to me, I wanted to feel his presence surround me... Then I put this verse into action, I told God I would wait, but also that I needed him to give me fresh strength and I needed to feel the soar of Eagles wings. Sure enough, that night was the first time I spoke in tongues, the first time I was baptized in the spirit, the first night I realized there was an unstoppable, unchangeable, forever constant God. It's incredible to think back, he really does have it all figured out, to the second.
So that's that. I realize these topics are kind of all over the place, but it's just what was on my heart today. It's my sincere prayer that somehow this has encouraged you, or made you look to our God for his answers.

I feel like I could go on forever about how absolutely incredible God is with his timing, but hey, that could be another blog.

Until tomorrow,
Colton.

Niffty

I love days like today, when you wake up, and the sun is shinning in the window. You feel nothing but calmness. God is here.
Today was the last day of my vacation before heading back to school tomorrow. I woke up, and got a haircut, then went to the city, and spent a lot of money, which, when I can afford it, I like to do as well. All day I had a smile on my face and I kept thinking of the book of Matthew... you know that verse? Well, typical me, forgot what the verse was exactly, so I went to matthew in my bible to check it out - then it dawned on me.

I love the book of Matthew! I figure it is simply because every word is the spoken word of God, which in my mind, is the coolest thing. Yes, I adore the bible, and every time I read it I get something from it, but it seems like, when I read Matthew there is something special. It's like God, my Creator, Saviour, Dad, picked these exact words and lessons to be shared to me, directly from him. You know?

Anyway... back to my first rant, I find the verse, or should I say verse(s)...
Matthew 5:13-16 -- Salt and Light

13"Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You've lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.
14-16"Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.

So from that, the part I want to look at is this. --- If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.

I love that, SHINE! This is what's going through my mind. God has given me this freedom, this joy. An incredible gift, or in other words, this incredible light, I am going to let it shine! So that's what I did all day, I smiled, I opened up to people I don't know, started conversations, just blessing people as I went through my daily activities... okay, there is one story it's kind of funny. I was driving my sister back from Walmart, and there was an elderly man walking on the sidewalk, for a brief moment we made eye contact and, although he couldn't hear me, I let out a loud "WASSSUP!" along with a wave. We looked behind us, and the old man was turned around waving and laughing hysterically. Apparently we understood what I had said. I guess you kind of had to be there, but it kind of hit me then. We, as FREE human beings have this unfathomable POWER to share with people our positive energy and joy.

No, today I didn't heal the blind, or get a chance to feed the hungry, and no, I didn't see a soul accept jesus into their lives, but what I did do is something equally important, I tok time and effort and planted seeds of happiness into peoples days, who knows what that smile could lead to. I challenge you to pray for an abundant joy and overflowing positive energy for tomorrow, see what happens, so how many old men you can make crack up. ;)

That's all for now.

Under His Mercy
-Colton