Bus Ministry

As you guys most likely know, I do PSEO at the U of M and I use public transportation...aka CITY BUS! YAY! Some of you might have heard some of the stories I've told, but I thought I'd share some here. This might end up being a bit long, but they all are just TOO COOL! Ughh God is so good. He uses such ordinary people to move in amazing ways! All you got to do is let him use you!

Overheard conversations:

Sometimes some of the conversations I creep on are just amazing! There was a DJ talking about how Radio Stations pretty much tell you what you like. They play what they think you should like. Which is so true with our world...especially the media. The world tells us what we should like, and rather we should be true to ourselves and choose what we like instead.

The other day there was a guy and his 7ish year old son on the bus. The guy talks to some people next to him. He strikes up a great conversation. Out of nowhere he talks about how God should be our hope no matter what. He starts preaching. And then the topic of hell comes up and the guys like, "tell 'em son" and this 7ish year old starts talking too. It was just amazing.

Lightsaber ministry:

This is probably the most common way that conversations are struck up between me and people. The basic story behind my lightsaber. It's a camp thing! People at camp carry lightsabers and we have epic battles...completely normal....at least at camp. And I carry it with me practically everywhere. It seems to strike up many conversations.

One of the conversations a guy asked me if I was going to a star wars convention, I told him I wasn't and I explained about camp and told him how cool camp was. Then as usual I gradually lead the conversation to how it's a christian camp and it is amazing and I end up talking about my faith. So many people are intrigued at what I have to say. Especially a hard-core Star-Wars fan. He thought it was absolutely amazing that people at church camp have epic lightsaber battles and that of all people CHRISTIANS would do that. Oh yeah...we know how to have fun! :)

Favorite Story:

This story has had a HUGE impact on my life. It is a prime example of me hearing clearly the voice of God and being obedient and because of that something awesome happened.

After NCU chapel I was pretty fired up and excited. I was kinda singing as I walked to my destination. I sit in a building for a half hour and wait for my bus. Usually I'll pull out my laptop and listen to music. That day things were different. As I pull out my laptop, for the first time in my life I clearly hear the voice of God. He told me not to grab my headphones as the tip of my fingers touch them in my bag. Reluctantly I think, "ok God....whatever you say...."

A guy sitting next to me then turns toward me and asks if I was waiting for the 766, and I say yes. We start talking a bit. Next thing you know he brings up religion and asks TONS of questions. We have and intense 2 hour conversation. The only exact words I remember were somewhere in the middle. After presenting the gospel to him I asked him, "Do you believe that Jesus died for your sins." His response was, "right now....I don't know."

Ever since then I've been praying for him. God moved a bunch through that conversation. If I wouldn't have listened to God, he probably wouldn't have talked to me and the conversation would have never happen. But because I was obedient, seed planted. It's a constant reminder to me that I should have a good relationship with God and listen to Him. Cool things happen.

I just thought I'd share some of the amazing stories. I like talking to strangers. If you read this entire thing...congrats! Anyway, God uses average people to do amazing things if you let Him. What are you going to let God do in your life?

Footprints

I kinda extremely love this poem. It just show's how much God cares for us and is there for us! :) Enjoy!

Let the Waters Rise

Mikeschair...unique band name and AMAZING music! They're up there with Tenth Avenue North on my list!

At camp later in the summer, the MATs would have friday night meetings at Timber Ridge. We'd spend the week with some intense reflection with where we were in life, where our relationship with God was at, and some pretty hardcore acoustic and/or a Capella worship. Let the Waters Rise was one of the songs we sang quite frequently. I loved the song (still do!) I memorized the lyrics and really focused on the meaning. Watch the vid and pay attention to the lyrics and verses added.

This song is very inspirational. It talks about no matter what ginormous obstacle comes our way we should trust and follow God. And not only that, but in tough circumstances our faith should strengthen because we should give the situation over completely to God. God is there with us through it all...especially the rough times.

So no matter what...will you follow God?

No More

Today I'd like to share a skit that they did at my church a few weeks ago. My "core group" leaders, Sarah Heineman and Jillian Cross are also the leaders a drama group called, Alive. I'd definitely recommend clicking on Jillian Cross's link to see more about the wonderful drama group as well as see more photos/videos of the drama.

Anyway our church had a youth outreach event called MegaWednesday and Sarah and Jillian put on a little skit/drama/dance thing. It was super amazing. A major theme of their dramas have to do with spiritual warfare...and this is no exception. A great (and not to mention catchy) song, with wonderful choreography...throw in some broken glass (check out Jillian's blog to see more) and you have one amazing skit. Enjoy!

By the way, yes they did completely smash a laptop and mirror!

"You just don't know who you're messin with, I'm a warrior!!!"

"The victory is mine...I'm tellin you NO MORE!!!!"

By His Wounds Painting

This guy has some amazing paintings. And I love this song. "by His wounds we are healed."

Something Beautiful

I just love this song...listen to the lyrics! It's just amazing...as are the 2 wonderful guys in the video! Yay Kaleb and Shane!

Joy in the small things.

Recently I've learned to take joy in the small things. Like chasing squirrels after class. Or discovering the magical vending machine that gives you a reese's AND snickers for just buying the reese's. Sometimes you just have to act like you are young and innocent again. Learn to have fun. Don't care what other people think, just be you. When life gets ya down: A) you just keep swimming and B) You do a crazy dance!

Kinda a short blog....but Seriously....every now and then...just let loose and be yourself!

Stellar Kart and the Sanborns

Tonight was absolutely amazing! I got to see one of my all-time favorite bands, Stellar Kart and got to hear the Sanborns speak at Mega Rally. It was great. For those of you who don't know what Mega Rally is, it's this concerty thing that happens twice a year where you get to rock out to some good music and listen to amazing speakers at Bethel University.

Stellar Kart was amazing and fun as usual! A few years ago at an event called FM419, Jordan Messer-the drummer for Stellar Kart-broke his drum stick, tossed it to me and I got it signed by them all. They're pretty cool! Tonight their Bassist, Brian Calcara, went absolutely nuts...he did a toe lock on top of a stool and went nuts! I loved their song lineup (all though I missed Tree Climbers and Eternal Life is Better.) They are very inspirational...especially with their song, Me and Jesus. Their last song was one of my favorites, Spirit in the Sky...although I loved A Whole New World Too!

Then Molly Sanborn (the cheeseball chick) and her husband Craig spoke. They told their awesome love story and how God played a major role! I totally forgot the main thing I was going to say...so I might edit this later. But anyway, they told about how God has played a major role in their life and the keys to healthy relationships. It was really awesome!

**Edit: I remembered what I was going to say at 11:31 (on the dot) last night. Craig and Molly decided they weren't going to kiss until their wedding day. Well Molly talked about when the idea came up, she was like, "that's great for them....not me." But she had a passion for God so her plans changed and she decided not to kiss until her wedding day.

This reminded me of last week when I was talking with someone. We were discussing the meaning of Psalm 37:4, "Take delight in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart." Originally Molly didn't desire to save her first kiss for her wedding day, but as her relationship with God grew, so did her desire to remain as pure as possible for her husband. I originally interpreted the verse as God will give you what you want if it's according to his will/plan. But someone changed my perspective. If you draw near to God he will give you your desires...aka he will show you what you truly want, then he will give it to you. Kinda confusing...but extremely cool! Draw near to God and he will give you your desires!

God Will Lift Up Your Head

So my last post was about how I was going to donate blood yesterday. Well I went into the blood mobile and they took my vitals, pricked my finger to test my iron levels and I went through a questionnaire...turns out my heart rate was a beat to fast, which I thought was rather strange. Anyway, so they retested and it was still too fast, so I was not allowed to donate. I was super upset because I had wanted to do this for AGES and it is on my bucket list. Good news...I only got deferred for a day, so technically I could try again today (most likely going to go in next week.)

Even though it may seem ridiculous...I was extremely upset, just because I couldn't donate. Everyone has those moments where something just sets them off. They are a complete wreck. Sometimes it's something huge and sometimes it's something so seemingly insignificant...like not being able to donate blood.

Well sometimes, iTunes, iPods, and Pandora have a funny way of playing the right song when you need to hear it most. Yesterday Pandora played a bunch of songs about how God is there for us through the hard times.

A couple of examples:

"I'm there in your sorrow under the weight of your shame." -Times by Tenth Avenue North

"Draw us near, heal these broken hearts." -Lift Us Up to Fall by Tenth Avenue North

"How deep the father's love for us." -How Deep the Father's love for us by Owl City

Somewhere over the rainbow

And a bunch more.

Here's the one that stood out the most. It also is a cardboard testimony video. It just shows how God can take you from the wreck you are and heal you and restore you:

We will overcome....

Today's an exciting day for me. I have to opportunity to donate blood for the first time! I'll admit I'm a bit nervous because my blood pressure drops a ton after having blood drawn, so I'll be dizzy and might pass out (which I also find kinda hilarious!) So anyway, that's what's been on my mind.

They always tell you that you're giving your blood to save a life, which is true. The blood I'm donating today could SAVE A LIFE!!! How cool is that?! So I was thinking, I get to save 1 life with my O+ (or so I think) blood. But Jesus, Jesus saved ALL of humanity by His blood. Think of that. That is absolutely amazing. He gave His blood and His life to save EVERYONE and all He asks in return is that we BELIEVE and LOVE Him, that's it....no strings attached. Now that is pretty amazing!

Just thinking about that got me thinking of 2 songs, I'll share one with you guys:

I love the song and the video! God took our sins and our insecurities and sent His son to take away all of that. So just like someone in the world may overcome death because of my blood, we can all overcome our sins and insecurities by Jesus' blood!

That's just my thoughts for the day! Think about it. It's pretty amazing!

Forrest Gump

Ok...I've kinda failed at blogging recently. But anywho...I promised I'd blog about one of my favorite movies: Forrest Gump. I could watch that movie hundreds of times and never get bored of it (I think I've watched it more than 20 already.) Anywho, this last time I watched it, I was really thinking about audacious faith. I just finished reading Steven Furtick's book, Sun Stand Still. It focused a lot on audacious faith, which is like a crazy trusting faith. It had a lot of examples of audacious faith which gets you thinking about examples in your own life and that you have experienced. I think Forrest Gump is a huge example of audacious faith.

There are many examples I could use from the movie, the one I'm going to use is Shrimpin. If you have never seen the movie: a) I highly recommended you do and b) I will try the best to explain it. Forrest ends up joining the army, he meets guy named Bubba who eventually becomes his best good friend. Bubba's family has been in the Shrimpin business for generations, and Bubba ends up asking Forrest to be his first mate when he is a shrimpin boat captain. Forrest accepts, however later in the war Bubba gets shot and dies.

Forrest was still determined to be a Shrimpin boat captain. Lieutenant Dan (post war) thought the idea was ridiculous and sarcastically agreed to be his first mate once he was a captain. Forrest made a bunch of money through ping-pong and advertising, so a while down the road he ends up buying a Shrimpin boat. Lieutenant Dan was shocked, but had nothing better to do with his life, so he became Forrest's first mate.

They had very little luck Shrimpin. They caught a dozen a day if they were lucky. No matter where they went there were no shrimp. Forrest went to church and prayed for shrimp while Lieutenant Dan got very frustrated and cursed God. Then a huge storm came and Lieutenant Dan was furious, however the storm wiped out every boat but theirs. They ended up becoming the rich and famous owner of Bubba Gump shrimp co and share holders of a "fruit company" (apple computers.)

Forrest had audacious faith the entire time. He was positive God would be faithful to fulfill Bubba's dream of owning a successful shrimpin boat. Whereas, Lieutenant Dan was very pessimistic and had no faith. Eventually Forrest's faith pulled off and Lieutenant Dan, "Found his peace with God" when the shrimpin company became successful.

In Matthew 14 Jesus says, "you of little faith, why did you doubt?" God was there and in control all along. Just thought that was kinda cool!