Reflection
Today I woke up with a little bit of a head cold, And me being the baby I am, will lay in bed and moan all day long. Drinking nothing but a gallon of orange juice in hopes of being better by tomorrow. However, I am truly blessed as this creates the perfect time for reflection. Seldom do I get the opportunity to just stop. Normally I am just running from point A to B and then C, all the while looking for God's will in between.
So at this point in time, I choose to look back this past week, and see what God's done for me. Well for one, I was baptized last Sunday. It was one of the most awe inspiring experiences of my life. Just to feel the love from so many people of which some I knew, and some I didn't, excited for me so that I may truly be obedient and serve God. So last Sunday, I became part of God's family... What a blessing.
These past few days I've spent in Pennsylvania here were not a waste either! The first experience I had with an old friend of mine. He brought over someone I've never met before. He had a grungy appearance, chain smoked, and was a little rough around the edges. But none the less, a great guy! God blessed me with his presence for after me speaking of my time in FL, and speaking of my recovery, he voiced that he, himself was a member of NA, and also participating in an Intensive Outpatient Program. My favorite people to meet are those in recovery. So with haste we quickly sparked conversation upon the lines of our favorite 12 step programs, which led me to discuss Celebrate Recovery with him (A Christ based recovery program). He was very excited to hear about the existence of such a program as we also shared a conversation of the gospel and the true healing powers of our Savior Jesus Christ. I showed him some of the booklets of mine and my CR bible, with which he was impressed. We jumped online, found a local meeting, and he seems rather excited to attend. Even to the point of expressing to his father, he had met another guy in recovery and that he wanted to check out these CR meetings. What a blessing.
As for what we may do for God, It's not hard to realize that the northern hemisphere of this country is quite smug in their profession of faith. No billboards, No giant churches, not nearly enough crosses. Just the symbolism of the "Christmas City". Plenty of lights and moravian stars, not enough crosses. The people also are shut in. One of my good friends, who is a hardcore bible slinger, even admitted he has trouble praying... Friends, let us examine our prayer methods. Let us bring it amongst the masses. Let the unbelievers witness the hope and love that transpires throughout our being with prayer! I challenge you this... From what my youth pastor had inspired me to do, I also challenge you in your agendas. Every cash register, every salesmen you see, every waiter or waitress that serves you... Ask them to partake in prayer with you. If they wish not, be persistent in asking if they need any prayer over any circumstance in their lives. Pray over them, and lift them up to God. The rewards are boundless.
One more thing and I'm done, I've got lots of thoughts today, so bear with me... I've been struggling lately with understanding God in my life... There are plenty of things that are clear as day signifying God's will in my life. From rebuilding relationships, new friendships, unexpected income, just true blessings. However, lately I have been pondering through prayer... "How can I tell when I put someone on my heart, as opposed to when You put someone on my heart" (Addressed to god). And exactly what are the differences. Clearly when I want something, it is evident. I'll usually stop at nothing to get it, and there is immense impatience in doing so. However lately, I'll acknowledge a longing, and have complete patience. In understanding, and temperance. Taking it to the measure of "How does this benefit God?". Call it fruit of the spirit I presume, It's just so perplexing. For it is the relevant question that I struggle with, "How do I react to a situation God has bestowed upon me?" It is an understanding of this in which I need assistance. So may God's timing once again be perfect. Time takes time, and I guess I just have to wait and see!
So at this point in time, I choose to look back this past week, and see what God's done for me. Well for one, I was baptized last Sunday. It was one of the most awe inspiring experiences of my life. Just to feel the love from so many people of which some I knew, and some I didn't, excited for me so that I may truly be obedient and serve God. So last Sunday, I became part of God's family... What a blessing.
These past few days I've spent in Pennsylvania here were not a waste either! The first experience I had with an old friend of mine. He brought over someone I've never met before. He had a grungy appearance, chain smoked, and was a little rough around the edges. But none the less, a great guy! God blessed me with his presence for after me speaking of my time in FL, and speaking of my recovery, he voiced that he, himself was a member of NA, and also participating in an Intensive Outpatient Program. My favorite people to meet are those in recovery. So with haste we quickly sparked conversation upon the lines of our favorite 12 step programs, which led me to discuss Celebrate Recovery with him (A Christ based recovery program). He was very excited to hear about the existence of such a program as we also shared a conversation of the gospel and the true healing powers of our Savior Jesus Christ. I showed him some of the booklets of mine and my CR bible, with which he was impressed. We jumped online, found a local meeting, and he seems rather excited to attend. Even to the point of expressing to his father, he had met another guy in recovery and that he wanted to check out these CR meetings. What a blessing.
As for what we may do for God, It's not hard to realize that the northern hemisphere of this country is quite smug in their profession of faith. No billboards, No giant churches, not nearly enough crosses. Just the symbolism of the "Christmas City". Plenty of lights and moravian stars, not enough crosses. The people also are shut in. One of my good friends, who is a hardcore bible slinger, even admitted he has trouble praying... Friends, let us examine our prayer methods. Let us bring it amongst the masses. Let the unbelievers witness the hope and love that transpires throughout our being with prayer! I challenge you this... From what my youth pastor had inspired me to do, I also challenge you in your agendas. Every cash register, every salesmen you see, every waiter or waitress that serves you... Ask them to partake in prayer with you. If they wish not, be persistent in asking if they need any prayer over any circumstance in their lives. Pray over them, and lift them up to God. The rewards are boundless.
One more thing and I'm done, I've got lots of thoughts today, so bear with me... I've been struggling lately with understanding God in my life... There are plenty of things that are clear as day signifying God's will in my life. From rebuilding relationships, new friendships, unexpected income, just true blessings. However, lately I have been pondering through prayer... "How can I tell when I put someone on my heart, as opposed to when You put someone on my heart" (Addressed to god). And exactly what are the differences. Clearly when I want something, it is evident. I'll usually stop at nothing to get it, and there is immense impatience in doing so. However lately, I'll acknowledge a longing, and have complete patience. In understanding, and temperance. Taking it to the measure of "How does this benefit God?". Call it fruit of the spirit I presume, It's just so perplexing. For it is the relevant question that I struggle with, "How do I react to a situation God has bestowed upon me?" It is an understanding of this in which I need assistance. So may God's timing once again be perfect. Time takes time, and I guess I just have to wait and see!
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