Wednesday, March 31, 2010
More than just Easter eggs.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Your face is all I see.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Thank You!
deep draughts of God.
I'm thirsty for God-alive.
It is obvious what kind of life develops out of trying to get your own way all the time: repetitive, loveless, cheap sex; a stinking accumulation of mental and emotional garbage; frenzied and joyless grabs for happiness; trinket gods; magic-show religion; paranoid loneliness; cutthroat competition; all-consuming-yet-never-satisfied wants; a brutal temper; an impotence to love or be loved; divided homes and divided lives; small-minded and lopsided pursuits; the vicious habit of depersonalizing everyone into a rival; uncontrolled and uncontrollable addictions; ugly parodies of community. I could go on.
This isn't the first time I have warned you, you know. If you use your freedom this way, you will not inherit God's kingdom.
22-23But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.
23-24Legalism is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way. Among those who belong to Christ, everything connected with getting our own way and mindlessly responding to what everyone else calls necessities is killed off for good—crucified.
Psalms 27: 7-14 ----
7-9 Listen, God, I'm calling at the top of my lungs:
"Be good to me! Answer me!"
When my heart whispered, "Seek God,"
my whole being replied,
"I'm seeking him!"
Don't hide from me now!
9-10 You've always been right there for me;
don't turn your back on me now.
Don't throw me out, don't abandon me;
you've always kept the door open.
My father and mother walked out and left me,
but God took me in.
11-12 Point me down your highway, God;
direct me along a well-lighted street;
show my enemies whose side you're on.
Don't throw me to the dogs,
those liars who are out to get me,
filling the air with their threats.
13-14 I'm sure now I'll see God's goodness
in the exuberant earth.
Stay with God!
Take heart. Don't quit.
I'll say it again:
Stay with God.
There is so much more jam packed into this card, I can't say enough how much I love it.
Stay with me God, if I make it through this, I can make it through even tougher times, I will grow stronger, encourage me, give me some good feeling power, energize my soul! Show me your love,
Colton
Sunday, March 28, 2010
BLEH
Redeem
Friday, March 26, 2010
17
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Birthday
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Brain Vomit #2
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
I love You could not be said a better way.
I remember when you were
So alive with your wide eyes
Then the light that you had in your heart was stolen
Now you say that it ain't worth stayin'
You wanna run but you're hesitatin'
I'm talkin' to me
Don't let your lights go down
Don't let your fire burn out
'cause somewhere, somebody needs a reason to believe
Why don't you rise up now?
Don't be afraid to stand out
That's how the lost get found
The lost get found
So when you get the chance
Are you gonna take it?
There's a really big world at your fingertips
And you know you have the chance to change it
There's a girl on the streets, she's cryin'
There's a man whose faith is dyin'
Love is calling you
Don't let your lights go down
Don't let your fire burn out
'cause somewhere, somebody needs a reason to believe
Why don't you rise up now?
Don't be afraid to stand out
That's how the lost get found
The lost get found
Why do we go with the flow
Why take an easier road?
Why are we playin' it safe?
Love came to show us the way
Love is a chance we should take
I'm movin' out of the gray
Are you gonna take it?
There's a really big world at your fingertips
And you know you have the chance to change it
Monday, March 22, 2010
The flames of Love that burns in His eyes -- for You.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Real
Saturday, March 20, 2010
DRIVE
I just look above, up to You.
My desire is to see Your fire,
Growing even higher than before.
God I need You right next to me,
For my heart to be satisfied.
I decide how I live my life,
I've made up my mind, I'm livin' for You
Because You are good, beyond measure,
My heart longs to give You pleasure.
You fulfill all my longing,
And all my life I will sing:
God I love You and all You do,
Your joy lives inside and does me good,
Can I have more of You?
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound,
Oh, my God, You never let me down,
Can I have more of You?
and...
I asked You for hope, You came in the night and gave me a dream.
I asked You for freedom, You broke every chain and gave me the keys.
I asked You for love never-ending and every day You surround me!
And now my faith in You is a mountain that can't be shaken,
Now my strength is found in You, it is joy that can't be taken!
Praise spills from my lips, flowing onto the feet of You, my King.
You deserve all the love and all the honor that I can bring!
Here is my song, here is my heart, here is my love, all for You, Jesus!
Holy, Holy, only You are worthy!
Alive to Live
Just a Note
Friday, March 19, 2010
YES!
Thursday, March 18, 2010
I choose You
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Smiling.
Hey Guys,
Romans 12
Place Your Life Before God ------
3I'm speaking to you out of deep gratitude for all that God has given me, and especially as I have responsibilities in relation to you. Living then, as every one of you does, in pure grace, it's important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him.
4-6In this way we are like the various parts of a human body. Each part gets its meaning from the body as a whole, not the other way around. The body we're talking about is Christ's body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body. But as a chopped-off finger or cut-off toe we wouldn't amount to much, would we? So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvellously functioning parts in Christ's body, let's just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren't.
6-8If you preach, just preach God's Message, nothing else; if you help, just help, don't take over; if you teach, stick to your teaching; if you give encouraging guidance, be careful that you don't get bossy; if you're put in charge, don't manipulate; if you're called to give aid to people in distress, keep your eyes open and be quick to respond; if you work with the disadvantaged, don't let yourself get irritated with them or depressed by them. Keep a smile on your face.
9-10Love from the center of who you are; don't fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.
11-13Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don't quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.
14-16Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they're happy; share tears when they're down. Get along with each other; don't be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don't be the great somebody.
17-19Don't hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you've got it in you, get along with everybody. Don't insist on getting even; that's not for you to do. "I'll do the judging," says God. "I'll take care of it."
20-21Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he's thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don't let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good.
Let the light of your face shine down on me, and let me feel it. I want to feel you, the favour of Your face. Bless me,
Colton.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Rescue.
Every word you give me is a miracle word—
how could I help but obey?
Break open your words, let the light shine out,
let ordinary people see the meaning.
Mouth open and panting,
I wanted your commands more than anything.
Turn my way, look kindly on me,
as you always do to those who personally love you.
Steady my steps with your Word of promise
so nothing malign gets the better of me.
Rescue me from the grip of bad men and women
so I can live life your way.
Smile on me, your servant;
teach me the right way to live.
Friday, March 12, 2010
This is it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PivWY9wn5ps
Gotta make a change
For once in my life
It's gonna feel real good
Gonna make a difference
Gonna make it right
As I turned up the collar on
A favorite winter coat
This wind is blowin' my mind
I see the kids in the street
With not enough to eat
Who am I to be blind
Pretending not to see their needs
A summer's disregard
A broken bottle top
And a one man's soul
They follow each other
On the wind ya' know
'Cause they got nowhere to go
That's why I want you to know
I'm starting with the man in the mirror
I'm asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make a change, yey
Na na na, na na na, na na na na oh ho
I've been a victim of
A selfish kinda love
It's time that I realize
There are some with no home
Not a nickel to loan
Could it be really pretending that they're not alone
A willow deeply scarred
Somebody's broken heart
And a washed out dream
(Washed out dream)
They follow the pattern of the wind ya' see
'Cause they got no place to be
That's why I'm starting with me
I'm starting with the man in the mirror
I'm asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make a change
I'm starting with the man in the mirror
I'm asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make that change
I'm starting with the man in the mirror
I'm asking him to change his ways, yeah
No message could have been any clearer
If you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make the change
You gotta get it right, while you got the time
'Cause when you close your heart
Then you close your mind
I'm asking him to change his ways
No message could have been any clearer
If you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself then make that change
Oh no
Oh no, I'm gonna make a change
It's gonna feel real good
Just lift yourself
You know, you got to stop it yourself
Oh
Make that change
You got to, you got to not let yourself, brother oh
Yeah
You know that
You got, you got to move
You got to
Make that change
Stand up and lift yourself, now
You know it, you know it, you know it, you know
Make that change
I’m a light in the world
I'll feel grand
Got this love, I can feel
And I know, Yes for sure
It is real
Colton
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Real
So, this is the real deal about love. So many times in our lives we will feel hurt, or broken down, like there is no other place to turn. Sometimes, that is where we meet God, and that is totally cool. The thing that draws me into God, is the love aspect. His love is unconditional, and it is safe to say that that kind of love is hard to find anywhere else. You feel something, a comfort, like things are taken care of and they will be okay -- ALL THE TIME.
The reason why I put that quote at the top of this page is because of two words, "right now." When You are feeling that emotional pain, that hurt, that feeling that there is no where else to go, you can go to God "right now." When you are having a moment of complete joy, like nothing could be any better, You can share that with God "right now" and make it ten times better.
What is God? A friend who never leaves or back-stabs, a Dad who will always be there for you and never hurt you, A Savior who will get you out of every tough place in this world, and continue to save you before things get worse.
Another question I get a lot is, "What do I do? Pray? I feel stupid just talking to air." The thing is, have faith. I wouldn't be writing all these blogs for some specks of air -- trust me. Yes, pray, for anything and everything. The bible says instead of worry about anything, pray about everything. You will be amazed. Check out www.biblegateway.com they have some wicked versions on the bible, check out "the message." itunes some Jesus Culture music. A really cool thing to do when you are first starting out thinking about God, and You feel stupid, or silly, or overwhelmed -- Just play some music, sit, and simply say "God, show me your love, show me that You are real. How much do you love me?" Then you are on a whirlwind. The thing about God is, He can't ignore you, so go for it. It's real.
Ask me anything,
Colton
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Perspective.
22-25All around us we observe a pregnant creation. The difficult times of pain throughout the world are simply birth pangs. But it's not only around us; it's within us. The Spirit of God is arousing us within. We're also feeling the birth pangs. These sterile and barren bodies of ours are yearning for full deliverance. That is why waiting does not diminish us, any more than waiting diminishes a pregnant mother. We are enlarged in the waiting. We, of course, don't see what is enlarging us. But the longer we wait, the larger we become, and the more joyful our expectancy.
26-28Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don't know how or what to pray, it doesn't matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.
29-30God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son. The Son stands first in the line of humanity he restored. We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in him. After God made that decision of what his children should be like, he followed it up by calling people by name. After he called them by name, he set them on a solid basis with himself. And then, after getting them established, he stayed with them to the end, gloriously completing what he had begun.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Day 2 - Arizona
Well it is getting harder and harder to blog, so if I don't - well, this is fair warning. I feel guilty if I don't tell you.
Anyway I keep writing all my thoughts down on my ipod, but of course, when i come to the computer I forget to bring my ipod -- leave it to me.
Anyway, today the workshops start. Which is nerve racking, However, God has been putting peace on my heart. When we are calm, and peaceful, even in times of stress, people will be drawn to that, and then conversation start, etc.... In the end, you have a friend. That's what it's all about, the love.
So, smile, be peaceful, because God has it taken care of.
"It's all about the love.",
Colton
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Breath
So I am now in Arizona, the temperature is wonderful.
It's funny, I have been flying all day, and as tiring as that is. I am super excited and... happy. Haha
I don't have a lot of time to write but just a thought for the day.
Take time, in everything you are doing and Thank God for it. Breath, and take time to enjoy the little things.
There is no better recipe for joy.
Smiling and Breathing,
Colton