Journal post

Warning. This is not a deep post.

My mom recently picked up a new camera for our family.. ok ok.. primarily her but she is gracious enough to share. It takes some really nice raw pics so I wanted to share them with you! Plus I needed a break from studying for finals. :)

......and you wonder why we are stressed?
 

My mom handles the stress so gracefully though...

The usual, "Jacob what are you doing.. you are driving me crazy" glare.

No! No paparazzi! No pictures allowed!

I wasn't joking!!!! NO PICTURES!

Color filter experiments..

As you can imagine.. that donut must not have been that good... :)

...*yummmmmmm* donut.. drifting.. can't come back to earth... I'm long gone in donut heaven...

"Oh mom.. do you have to wear those "Granny" glasses? Just promise us you will never wear them in public."

smile! :)

"Justin... just leave me alone already.."

Yes sir.. we do have fun here!

Thus.. an usual, and unusual evening. :) 

Rest.

Poll

In doing some research for something I'm mulling around I need your help. Please notice the poll on the side of my blog and vote accordingly.

As a side note.. David.. this is mandatory. Please don't refer me to your voting post. ;) Miss you guys!

Rest.

Standing Strong and Steadfast

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:2-4)

Theme for 2013: Standing Strong and Steadfast in 2013

Have you ever felt like you hit the wall? You've been there done that, and it seems there is nothing new. It seems like things only get hard, without any inspiring moments. You know and believe all the right things but something is still missing. This is how I have felt over this past year.  I've had this mis-understanding throughout my Christian walk and it is one that was difficult to recognize for me.

This mis-understanding is that it doesn't matter what I know, but rather what I do.

S o u n d s  s  o  s i m p l e  d o e s n' t  i t?

I t' s  n o t.

I've known this for a long time.

But I have never done anything about it.

Why?

What causes me to not stand strong? Why do I experiment with just how much sin I can righteously get away with? Why do I do what is either secret, or is "culturally" acceptable to please myself?

Have I really become so comfortable in my sinful lifestyle of apathy that I can't see anything as wrong? Have I really replaced God with myself on my throne?

It needs to stop. Right now. But I feel so trapped. Stuck in a dried glue of wrong choices and hard mistakes.

What can melt this glue? What can set me free? I don't just need a new page to turn over this year, I need a new book.

As this year closes I look back with slight despair. No change. No growth except I might know a whole lot more. But knowing isn't enough. I need to do. So all this leads to next year.

Intentional. That is the word I want to describe next year. So, I have a plan. Every month I want to work on one character/spiritual thing that I already know, but I need to do. I'm going to do a bible study through James. Breaking it up into small, digestible portions I want to "eat" and live God's Word next year.

Now is the time of turning,

Changing,

Becoming,

D o i n g.

Have you ever felt how I feel now? Then I want to invite you to join me as I start. I would love to have others join me in the journey. This journey will not be easy. It will be one that will hurt, reveal, and bring sorrow. However, the joy, light, and freedom that will come will be more than worth it.

Living an intentional life for Christ.

Standing strong and steadfast.

Are you in?

My Worst Enemy

Not crazy about the music to this song but can't get over the words.

My Worst Enemy by Casting Crowns

"God, help me get away

Break the chains and set me free

From the other side of me

I am my own worst enemy

I caught a glimpse in my rearview mirror

Of an old familiar face

Blurry image coming in clearer

Of a past I can’t erase

I could’ve sworn I put him in the ground

But looks like he’s found his way out

God, help me get away

Break the chains and set me free

From the other side of me

I can’t fight this fight alone

I’ll never make it on my own

Lord Jesus, rescue me

From my own worst enemy

I’ll take a step and it’s right behind me

Always fighting for control

There’s a war that’s raging inside me

I feel the battle for my soul

It’s like my shadow is dragging me around

And You are my only way out

God, help me get away

Break the chains and set me free

From the other side of me

I can’t fight this fight alone

I’ll never make it on my own

Lord Jesus, rescue me

From my own worst enemy

Lord, help me feed the life I’m trying to live

And starve the life I’m trying to leave

Help me believe the old is dead and gone

And I am a new creation

God, help me get away

Break the chains and set me free

From the other side of me

I can’t fight this fight alone

I’ll never make it on my own

Lord Jesus, rescue me

From my own worst enemy"