September 17 marks the day that FOL will be official, I am so excited! We are all looking forward to seeing God show up in a major way. Below is a poem I wrote:
The Stream
There was a stream which got its start from a gentle rain on April 7th But what sustained it was the calling and blessing that flowed down from Heaven There was a promise that this young stream wold one day become a great river And what the Great I Am promises, the Great I Am delivers With each passing day the banks of this stream began to expand Until it became a river large enough to support a great land By this river, a great city was cleansed and nursed Because in it dwelled a livingwater that quenched all thirsts The hope from this river one day will overflow Into vast lands and territories that we will never know The word of God will be preached from altars built on its banks And due to the truth that echoes from its waters, souls will give thanks Like the Jordan, it will be a scene of miracles beyond compare Delight in the grace and truth, with us God has shared!
I'm lonely, everyone around me has someone but not me It's just me, myself, and lonely I lay alone at night wishing someone would hold me, console me but no one seems to be there just lonely I'm alone, and when you're alone no one knocks on your door And it seems don't tend to call anymore
But even in the midst of loneliness, when no one else can, he stands, In the midst of loneliness he stands When no one else can he stands
I'm angry, everyone around me is smiling but not me I don't want to be bothered but yet here comes angry They ask what's wrong and what bothers me but that in its self is what bothers me Can I breathe? In all actuality all I need is time...time to breathe But instead what I get is angry
But even in the midst of anger, when no one else can, he stands, In the midst of my anger he stands When no one else can he stands
I'm happy, everyone around me is sad but not me Things are exactly the way I want them to be I set my alarm, but no need, I wake up early Yep...early, 30 minutes early exactly Down the hill when everyone is walking, I'll be skipping I'm happy and if no one else is I'm still happy
And yes, then in the midst of happiness when no one else can, he stands In the midst of my happiness he stands When no one else can he stands
I'm in love, everyone is empty but not me Around me I see sex, lies, and lust but I love more passionately I tell everyone...classmates, friends, family But they don't understand they âre too blind to see This love, real love, expands past my faults even insecurities Through loneliness, anger, happiness and love In the midst of everything He stands for me!
2 Corinthians 1:5 -- For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.
There are several reasons why this verse stands out to me.
1. "we"-sometimes as you strive to live for Christ you have a tendency to feel alone in your efforts. The word we gives me encouragement and reminds me that there are many others fighting the good fight as well.
2. Abundance is something as a society we crave. With more and more emphasis on covetousness it seems having a surplus of anything is always a good thing. But you would be hard-pressed to find someone who craves an abundance of Christ's sufferings. But what drives me is the promise that Paul writes-"so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too."
3. My current situation: As of now I am in a perplexing struggle with my heart. My roomate, and dear friend Joe, continues to encourage me through prayer and his own sacrifices, however, giving up the comfort and happiness one gets from having a girlfriend is difficult. This struggle is something that I have to continually seek wise counsel for.
4. My curious fascination with the number 15. I was baptized on June 15th, I was born on November 15th, and I have 15 letters in my full name. So whenever I see the number 1 next to the number 5 I pay more attention! (I know it's weird, but look how good Carmelo is doing in the World Championships. #15!)
Throughout my life I have been told I favor a lot of various celebrities. The more prevalent comparisons are Sean Elliot and Nick Cannon. My opinion is I look like neither but if I had to pick one I would prefer Nick Cannon, however, I would love to have Sean Elliot's Championship ring.
