Thursday, February 11, 2010

Let's SEEK!


What time is it?
Time to seek the Lord.

The time is now, it is our role as revivalists of this nation to seek the Lord, to be focused on that one thing, Seek the Lord, give him Everything, then we will be anointed!

It's like smoking, or any other habit, once you start everyday, everywhere, just looking for him, seeking him, searching for his beauty and love in everything, you won't be able to stop!

Do you get it? This thought has just been overwhelming me. EVERYWHERE, God is EVERYWHERE! And when we seek him with everything we have he will meet us there, and there will be an outpouring of the Holy Spirit, which will strengthen and anoint us to do his will WHEREVER we are, be at school, wherever! THANK GOD!

Maybe you guys are getting sick of me saying this but I am so craving to be leading people in Worship and to lead people in prayer and just feel so used, but I honestly believe God is forcing me to do it school Hallways before He'll put me there, and after all the reason I want that is to give Him glory. So by seeking Him, He will give me the Strength to do all I dream, even in a school, where I think it's impossible. AH!

Okay, you know what, I think I need to buckle down on these blogs and stop raging bout my desires, and what not and use this place as somewhere to discuss the Word, it is such an important part of our walk with God, and it is also another way to seek God, He tells us to "seek His face".

So let's seek!! It's a win win situation, it's like playing hide and Go Seek with a Dad who sucks at hiding! Praise God for that! He isn't hiding, all we have to do is seek, and get our reward and supplies for everything we're are craving to do.

Anyone get this? Hahaha

Laughing in Love,
Colton

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Default Setting.

Sometimes we feel that we have a certain sin that will never go away, that will stick with us forever, and it seems like it has been there forever, I am here to tell you that that is a lie from Hell. You see, Satan plays this trick where He makes us think that we are stuck to something, that we are owned by something that has no purpose other than to completely deteriorate any chance we had to be close with God, but He is wrong. That is not a default setting on us, our default setting was placed by God and he did not make us addicted to one sin or another. He sets us free, who the Son sets free is free indeed, remember?

I'm not sure if my typing is doing my thoughts and revelations justice, but get this, we make a mistake, we continue making that same mistake, we feel like no matter how hard we try we will always make that mistake (examine yourself, everyone has one of these), sometimes we as humans get so discouraged by our continuous screwing up that we say, you know what, God must of made me like this, because no matter how hard I try I can't get rid of this sin. *annoying buzzer* WRONG!

I was driving home tonight and I had an incredible talk with God and although it seemed one sided I felt the Holy Spirit confirm everything that I said which is so encouraging, and I was talking about sin and addiction, and how it is annoying and why does it consume our lives and why does God put us through it? And it was like a revelation, God doesn't let us lay in sin that has no deeper purpose or meaning, or let us hurt. Jesus will not let us suffer like that if there is no reason for our pain. He loves us, and someone who loves us would never think of doing that. Make sense? SoI started declaring Freedom in peoples lives who don't understand this and are addicted to sin that has no further purpose, they just haven't gotten the chance to experience God's deliverance and freedom, and with that Satan is powerless!

On the note of addiction, if we find ourselves addicted to something that isn't good for ourselves God can heal that. Some people feel and say that they have been prayed over and have done this and done that and nothing has worked. Fact, ever think that God is using that addiction to dry you closer to him? To make you dig deeper and try harder for your relationship? To fight stronger to get to him? I don't know, but in my heart that totally makes sense, and maybe when we do this, then we will be set free. Another thing, when we go into worship and feel like we are totally consumed with our problems and sins and that hinders us from praising God do you think we should maybe try an attitude like, "Lord, I am putting my problems, addictions, sins, worries, aside for this moment, and I just want to give You all the glory, despite anything else!" ?

This is food for thought, as all my blogs are, I feel tonight that I had a great idea but failed to get it from my head to the page. Let me know readers. I declare Freedom upon your lives and blessings onto your day tomorrow.
Smile Jesus Loves You. :) Haha


Pondering of God's goodness,
Colton


Tuesday, February 9, 2010

My Soul Yearns For You

Okay guys, so I postponed the journal thing, I just sent this message to a friend of mine, and I feel like in a way I'm contradicting what I said last night, but the fact is, I'm not perfect, so far from perfect, and this is what is on my heart and mind, and when I started this blog I made two promises,
One) That I would blog everyday.
Two) That I would talk about what God put on my heart and what I encountered that day, so here it is.

"My heart is screaming! I want to live a lifestyle of worship, and going to school reminds me of every single mistake I've made or lie I've told, and today it was honestly a big deal for me to tell people I want to a youth conference called Jesus Culture. I just am crying for God to use me and I keep telling myself, God puts us where we are supposed to be, and we have to use what he gives us before he will give us more! But I don't know what to do, I can't handle it, and I know life isn't Jesus Culture all the time, and honestly today was an amazing day with God, I spent over an hour between getting ready for school, breakfast, and driving there with God, and all day I would stop and pray and would feel him hold my hand, I tried to shine as much as I could but I feel like my heart is craving for something so much deeper!!!!!! AHHH And I go to school and talk to some people and all they talk about is old times which in my mind are mistakes I've made, but that kind of fits with what that guy prophesied over me, saying that old insecurities are wiped away and God is molding me into the man he has planned for me to be. But I just, I just, it is a fight! But you know, I am going to keep fighting, but I want to be rescued and delivered. Maybe I'm lazy or just plain scared of screwing up again."

That was my blur of thoughts an hour ago, I don't know what it is, I feel so eager to worship through music all the time, and I mean I can worship anywhere, in the lunch line at school. I don't have to wait for a live band to come set up in front of me and start playing in order for something to stir up in me, I can worship by helping others, but there is a craving for something more, and I don't know why or what it is. Some times I'm scared that this dream I have is becoming an idol, I can't become a dream worshipper, I have to be a God worshipper, and perhaps become less consumed with what I really want to be doing, and just focus on lending a helping hand, maybe that is all God knows that I am ready for, maybe I have to accept that.

I read this and felt broken, do you think this why I screwed up so many times before in my past? Or deal with the things that I do? Is this me? As a kid, people would tell me I would do great things for God, do you think all this relates?

2 Corinthians 12:10 ----
7-10Because of the extravagance of those revelations, and so I wouldn't get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan's angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! At first I didn't think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me,


My grace is enough; it's all you need.
My strength comes into its own in your weakness.
Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ's strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become.

You know, one of the sermons that I heard over the weekend was talking about what I spoke about last night, that God uses us in small ways before he will bring us to the big stuff. We have to be faithful, and when he sees that faithfulness he will then advance us, but only when he knows we are ready.


Lord, give me patience, and help me to see what it is you have in front of me. I am yours. Purify and Sanctify my Dreams and Ambitions. You have my heart broken in your hands, use me God.

Bloggers, maybe this rant has ruined what you got from last night's one, but this is what is on my heart. I'm sorry I hope you still got something out of my blabber.

I live to know you more,
Colton



Monday, February 8, 2010

Rain Down

Hey!
So I am back, refreshed, recharged, and I believe it is safe to say, changed.
I have so much to tell you guys, so many things I have learned, so many new desires in my heart revealed. It truly was a weekend that has shaped who I am, I find myself on the mountaintop, meaning feeling so high. Some people say you have to come down of the mountaintop, I say God is making me into a mountain top that cannot move or be shaken.

I love my God, and I have committed myself, 98% isn't enough, it's all or enough. I am excited for school tomorrow, I am ready to set loose the fire that God has given me, pray with me that I will not burn out at school, that the enemies or thoughts and desires of this world will not dampen my flame.

I am excited to share with you guys everything that happened this weekend, and I will, the amount of things that I learned or that went through my mind in one day is unfathomable, so. tomorrow I whip out my journal and I will fill you guys in.

Haha, for some reason I can't say goodbye and end this blog, you know, our Lord's love is contagious. It's something I can't control, praise God. Let's be revivalists, and be warriors, wherever God places us. Remember, before we fly to the full potential that God has for us we must "do the dirty work", meaning be faithful, maybe do odd jobs, or what seems to us as tasks of unimportance, however God is always training us, so while he is training us, let's be radical for Him who was radical for us first.

Back to the start, my heart is heavy
Feels like it's time, to dream again
I see the clouds, and yes I'm ready
To dance upon this barren land
Hope in my hands

Jet lagged, and on fire, and not going to hold back,
Colton

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

See You Soon

Hi Blog Readers, well if you have been reading over the past few days, you've noticed that I have been writing from my journal while I was doing mission work in Los Angeles, well tomorrow I leave for Los Angeles again. This time I am not exactly doing "a mission", well let me rephrase that we are always on a mission, however this trip isn't the same as last time. A group of friends and I are going to a Jesus Culture Conference in Redding California. I am so excited for this adventure.

I got this from the youth leader of the other kids I am going with, we don't go to the same church, yet he knows me through other programs.. so here it is,

" I'll be praying for you every single day. I ask that you go with open hearts and a willingness to experience something greater in God. Don't be afraid to get out of your comfort zones. This is an amazing opportunity for God to reveal himself to you in a whole new way! Be open and stay focused and go expecting.... :-) K? "

I love that he gave us those words, go expecting, be open and stay focused, so if you guys would pray for an amazing experience that would be cool, I cannot wait to report back to you about everything that I encounter. I am praying for God to use me, to kill me, to break my heart, and then sow it back together with his love once more.

Because of the trip, and I imagine some late nights I doubt I will get to blog everyday, if any day, so stay tuned, Ill be home on Tuesday and you better believe I will be a fierce blogger.

Expecting to be moved with open hearts,
Colton

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Round Three




Hey Folks! Well here is two more of my journal entries from my trip. Tomorrow's blog will hold a couple more entries, but then I am headed back to California on Thursday. I am going to Encounter 2010 which is a Jesus Culture conference, pray that God will do something spectacular, I am so yearning to grow so much more, and experience his love in a whole other setting. So, tomorrow there will be a blog and I am hoping that when I get to California I will get a chance to blog about what's going on there, if not, when I return home I will definitely fill you in, I plan on taking a journal.

Thursday, August 20th
Thrilling, threatening, indescribable! That is how I would describe today. This morning we went to Skid Row, I felt tired and drained but got through it. Then this afternoon we handed meals to the homeless, today it seemed like the majority of them were African American. It strikes me how there are hardly any white people on the streets, perhaps this hurts people perceptions. I loved handing the meals out, I was at the end of the assembly line so that was my job, giving the plate of food to the next person in line. I felt like I was actually making people hope, or light a spark of energy in their lives. It's so curious to watch people. There was only one guy who gave me a hard time. He kept trying to cut the line and steal another meal so we kept telling him "no." Then, one time he tried and I caught him and said, "sorry sir you have to go to the back of the line." While saying this a I put my hand on his shoulder, as a friendly gesture. However, he lost it because I touched him. He said that I had no right to touch me and then he told everyone he wasn't coming back until I was gone. Haha, I felt so threatened, but I was excited and I felt I grew in courage. When no one was looking he humbled himself and went back to the line and I was really happy to give him his next meal, although I'm not sure what was going through his mind.
Tonight was a service night at the Angeles Temple. Indescribable, Life Changing, God breathed! They had dancers that danced to Man in the Mirror by Michael Jackson. Plus an incredible live band and team or worship leaders. Along with that there was intelligent lighting and the energy of hundreds and hundreds of people. God's spirit was undeniable and I feel filled, blessed, and so connected with God. The message and everything was wonderful, I am so blessed to have three more services here! I want to continue to be strong, patient, wise, and mature... I pray for that! God has changed me and taken it all, because He can.



Friday, August 21st
Heart breaking. Skid Row outreach tonight. SO much Poverty! So much disaster, sadness, cursing, hatred. I felt like I'm meant to be a beacon of hope and light in these hurting peoples lives. I've been praying and learning a lot lately that it's not about me, it's about him... but I still wanted to feel like I was accomplishing something through God. We came to this man on Skid Row who found out today that he had six months to live. His story is unimaginable, everything inside of him is failing. He felt hopeless, forsaken, every terrible feeling out there, I'm sure his spirit held. He has two kids, one 15, one 9. They live with their Mother and they won't see him again until three weeks before he dies, according to the Doctor. He kept talking about how terrible of a Father he was and felt like His whole life he had failed, and He wanted to do at least one thing right before his time was up. He shared that when his son was young he used to force his son to give Him needles. Eventually everyone from The Dream Center was praying around this young man. God was moving! I was trying to give my all, knowing that it wasn't about how successful I thought my prayer was, just thinking that I could give it my all to try and help this man. My hand was stretched towards him, we were half way done praying and this man grabbed my hand! No one else noticed but it shook me! I don't know why he did it, or what it meant, but it really sincerely meant the world to me. For him it was probably a cry for help and a grab of thanksgiving that this multitude of people were praying for him, but for me it felt like it was a word from God saying, you are doing what I want you to do, keep going!
Skid Row is heart breaking and you learn so much, I feel like I need to be bolder in my faith and just let myself by led by the Holy Spirit. That is my prayer. We were exhausted after, that but we wanted to keep outreaching so we then went to Hollywood Blvd. Right outside of The Kodak Theatre. It was so different, and it's peculiar to think about. Moments ago we were surrounded by garbage and people living in that Garbage, and now we were standing in front of the Kodak Theatre, where Celebrity's are usually spotted. The two places were so different, yet the hurt was the exact same! I am so exhausted now, it's almost one here, I'm dead!I'm still growing, and I LOVE that!


Filled with Excitement,
Colton

Monday, February 1, 2010

Round Two



Let's keep on going, and hey bloggers if you are getting bored of my journal let me know, while I am re-reading these entries so many things pop into my mind but I'm not sharing them because I feel like I am writing miles and miles.. so, please enjoy the next day of my Los Angeles adventure. :)

Wednesday, August 19th
"Race" Today I learned that sense I am a rich white boy I can bring joy into a Spanish mans life by humbling myself and handing out well needed produce, this is remarkable. Today we did the food truck, which means we filled a food truck with any food that has been donated to the Dream Center and then delivered to areas of poverty in L.A. Because of God's wonderfulness we fed over 200 people in a Spanish community.
The leader today had another amazing testimony, he used to worship Satan. One day he was at a church activity of some sort and was so frustrated that he punched the leader of the event in the face. The leader responded by hugging this guy back, because of that love that was shown, this guy turned to the Lord. I want to show that love.
This evening we did and outreach at "Muscle Beach." this beach is known for celebrity sightings, however, amongst all the fame and glory, once again there is so much poverty. When we got to the beach we gave away free pizza and pop and just talked to people, let them tell us their stories and love them back. One lady we were talking to had been there for ten years living on that same beach, she said that over time you get to enjoy the time you have by yourself. Of course all of these people have quite the story to tell, wether they have made it up, or they legitimately fell into that tragedy, is a mystery. I love the aspect of getting to know people and loving them through everything they have gone through.
Sometimes I found myself getting discouraged because I'm not the best at bringing up God in a conversation with people on the streets, or in general. However, I am learning so much, and I pray God will use me however he wants, whenever he wants, and I will be prepared to do so. I have to give all the glory to God. I am truly learning so much, and there is so much that I am excited to take back with me. God is literally changing my life, slowly but surely.
THERE IS SO MUCH MORE! He is good.


Have a wonderful night bloggers, let me know what you think.

Craving to change a life,
Colton