Saturday night, I finally got to see the blockbuster movie everyone was talking about with Dad and Jeremiah. Avengers: Age of Ultron certainly did not disappoint, especially when watching in an IMAX 3D theater. Since the last Avengers movie, I wondered how the sequel could possibly top the first. After only a few minutes into the movie, I realized this one would be even better.

As the lights dimmed, we sat in our seats to see the first preview. It was a preview for the new Star Wars movie that will come out in December. Of course, I had previously watched this preview over and over (I even saw the video of Matthew McConaughey’s reaction to the preview), but watching it in 3D was beyond awesome. Lightsaber battles, storm troopers, Han Solo telling Chewbacca, “We’re home.” It was awesome and it only built up the excitement for the main event, Avengers in 3D. There were times when it all looked real, as if we were immersed in all the action.

I love sci-fi and superhero movies and the past six months, Dad and I have been watching Star Trek on Netflix. I absolutely love, love, love everything about Star Trek. I guess you could call us Trekkies. We have already finished the Voyager series, and now we are going back and forth between The Next Generation and Enterprise.

Some of my favorite episodes involve an amusing invention created in the Star Trek universe called a holodeck. Basically, holodecks are giant rooms where you can program the computer to place yourself in an artificial, and interactive environment, such as a crime novel, a love story, or a trip to your favorite tourist destination. The computer uses hologram technology to the extent that you can feel and touch what surrounds you, including interactive people who are programed to believe they are real and that their fictional characters are real. It seems as real as can be, and yet it is all make-believe.

Watching this 3D movie and enjoying these holodeck episodes got me thinking about my walk with Christ. When people see me, a Christian, do they see what looks real and seems real, yet is a far cry from reality? Or do they see something that looks real and IS REAL? Essentially, is my faith all for show or am I truly living the Godly life in which my actions and pursuits reflect those of a true believer?

I will be quite honest. I have not read my Bible, I have not prayed, I have not given God the amount of time I should lately. In fact, I have not read my Bible (other than in Church) at all for the past several weeks. Earlier, this month I wrote in my blog that I sometimes try to come up with excuses of why I can put it off until later, but now that I am done with the semester, done with all of the stress of exams and papers, what excuse do I have? Why can I not just get myself to read, at the very least, a little bit of my Bible a day, or even once a week? I have no exams to study for, no papers to write, so why do I still put my relationship with God on the backburner? Why is it that when He calls my number, do I continually put Him on hold?

And why does it take an epiphany while watching the Avengers or Star Trek to make me see that I am giving excuse after excuse to not live a REAL Christian life? As I am writing this blog post, I am going to give myself a challenge, and I give others this challenge as well. No more excuses! I will read more. I will pray more and seek God more. When others see me, I don’t want them to see someone who only acts like a follower and seems to be a follower. I want them to see someone that not only looks like a follower, but also actually follows Christ. I want others to not see someone who deep down is just going through the motions of being a believer. Instead, I want them to see someone that is truly seeking God with everything in me.

I can say, all day long, that I am a follower of Jesus Christ, and I am. I try my best not to hide that fact. But if I don’t continually seek God, then those words seem pointless. When others see me, I don’t want them to see a holodeck program of my faith (something that only looks and seems real). When others see me, I don’t want them to only see my testimony of faith like a 3D movie, a faith that seems real. I want my faith to actually be REAL. I want my walk with Christ to be so real, one completely dependent on Him, that there is no question… My faith is not a 3D movie or a holodeck. It’s as real as real can be.

I want my walk with God to be one that continually seeks Him, a faith echoed by Psalm 63:1-5:

¹ You, God, are my God,
earnestly I seek you;
I thirst for you,
my whole being longs for you,
in a dry and parched land
where there is no water.

² I have seen you in the sanctuary
and beheld your power and your glory.
³ Because your love is better than life,
my lips will glorify you.
⁴ I will praise you as long as I live,
and in your name I will lift up my hands.
⁵ I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods;
with singing lips my mouth will praise you.

I pray that my soul continues to be on fire for God, that I earnestly seek Him, that I earnestly pray and read His Word, that my praise for Him lasts until the end of time. I pray that we all strive to walk with Him with everything in us!

Let our faith not only seem real like 3D movies and holodecks. Let it actually be REAL!

New International Version. Bible Gateway. Web. 18 May. 2015.

The Motions by Matthew West

Thrive by Casting Crowns

As I was driving to UMHB’s Commencement Ceremony to bid farewell to awesome friends that I have made the past couple of years, I thought, “In two years, it will be me receiving my diploma.” When I started school, I told myself that I hoped it didn’t last me more than four years. I told myself that going a fifth year was just too long and that I wanted to move on with my life as soon as possible. Then I realized something my Freshman year. I realized that by double majoring in History and Political Science, with a minor in Education, there would be no way to finish in four years and I will likely spend a fifth year as an undergrad. This seemed frustrating at first, but after realizing how silly I was being, I realized that was God’s way of saying, “Slow down. You’ve got your whole life ahead of you.”

Driving to the graduation ceremony, it was only natural for me to imagine myself in two years, receiving my diploma. Then, I thought about what I planned to do for the next decade after that. Go to grad school at Baylor. Work towards a PhD. Start a family. Start a career. I thought about my own future and thought, “In just two years, I will be on the football field getting my diploma, and everyone else will be in the stands.”

Then as I was driving to Belton, several cars passed me even though I was going over the speed limit myself. As I was getting ready to turn left at an intersection, waiting until it was safe to turn, someone honked and honked and honked. I thought, “Are you people really in that big a hurry?”

Then it hit me, “Am I?”

Of course, the week leading up to the end of the semester, I was absolutely in a hurry to get last minute homework done and exams finished, so that I could breathe a huge sigh of relief to be completed until August. I also thought, “Just two more years! Just two more years!”

But honestly, what’s the rush? Why are these people in such a hurry to get somewhere? Why am I in such a hurry to read the next chapter in my life’s story, when I haven’t finished enjoying the current chapter?

It was then, as I was being honked at, that I heard God’s voice telling me, “Don’t lose today’s opportunities, and don’t miss out on today’s experiences because you’re in such a hurry.”

Too often, though, that’s exactly what happens. We become so focused on what’s ahead, that we don’t cherish the blessings we have today. Now, I’m not saying that we shouldn’t plan for the future or imagine where our life will lead. I’m saying that we shouldn’t be in such a rush to go to the next chapter, that we don’t enjoy the one we are currently reading.

There have been plenty of times when I have had required reading for class, and I have periodically stopped, counted how many pages I had left, and thought to myself, “I’m almost done. I’m almost done. 12 more pages, 7 more, 4 more, one more page!” As I would do this, it would sometimes be difficult to focus on the page I was currently reading. I truly believe God is telling us, “Slow down. That page will get here soon enough. Enjoy the page you’re currently reading. Enjoy the blessings and opportunities I have placed in your life for today.”

I challenge readers, myself included, to enjoy the opportunities you have today. Tomorrow, next week, next year, etc. will get here soon enough, but don’t lose the moments you can experience today. Out there, somewhere, there is someone who needs to hear the Gospel. Out there, there is someone who needs some comfort, some joy, someone to talk to. If you spend life in a frantic rush to get to the next chapter, you might miss out on those opportunities to live life with the people around you, to share the love of Christ with those people. You might miss the opportunity to grow in relationship with others and with God if you don’t enjoy today’s moments.

Before you know it, that chapter you’re looking forward to will get here and when it does, it will seem like life has gone by way too fast. Don’t let it go by so fast that you don’t cherish today’s blessings.

Matthew 6:34 (NIV) tells us, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

We can plan for our future, and we can imagine what life will bring, but we must not allow ourselves to become worried about that future, about that next chapter. Tomorrow will get here soon enough, let us not lose focus on today.

Psalm 118:24 (TLB) says, “This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.”

Every day is a gift from God. Let us not worry so much about what lies ahead that we don’t cherish the present gifts and opportunities that the Lord has bestowed upon us. Let us rejoice and be glad that today is a day of opportunities!

It can be easy to speed through life, to go 70 mph when we should go 60, to count down the pages before we are finished with the current chapter, but let’s strive to enjoy today. Tomorrow will be here before you know it. So, whether you are awaiting that new job to start soon, that semester to finish, that mission trip to get here, don’t take for granted the opportunities God has for you to experience today.

So slow down! God has a speed limit too!

New International Version. Bible Gateway. Web. 11 May. 2015.

The Living Bible. Bible Gateway. Web. 11 May. 2015.

Blink by Revive

In the Blink of an Eye by MercyMe

Too often, it can become easy to ask, “Why?” “Why does this or that happen?” “Why must I go through this?” Even if we don’t find ourselves asking “Why?” sometimes we still might get discouraged because of the various trials we face in life. The past few weeks have been beyond overwhelming for me as I try to complete the many papers, book reviews, and exams that come with being a college student in the midst of all the inconvenient challenges that just have to occur in the middle of all of this. That’s when God says, “Trust in me!”

To be honest though, I have not always been faithful in trusting in God’s plan. Too often, I have told God what I think should happen, and how I think things should play out. When things didn’t pan out the way I wanted, I became frustrated or I questioned God.

Throughout high school, I shouted at God when my Crohn’s Disease became too unbearable. I asked Him, “Why? Why? Why?” as if He should explain why He didn’t answer my prayers the way I wanted Him to. As my faith has grown in college, I have learned to trust more in that He has a plan for me and a purpose for me. But even still, there are times where my faith still isn’t what I would like it to be. I don’t read my Bible as much as I should. I don’t sit in silence with God as much as I should. Too often, I try to find excuses of “Oh, I can do that later God.” “Maybe tomorrow.” “Next week, God. Next week.” “Perhaps when my semester is over.”

It is then when the outspoken faith of a 10 year old shows me what it truly means to be on fire for Jesus. Yesterday was absolutely amazing! My grandparent’s youngest adopted child, Isaac, proclaimed to the world that he is a believer in Christ by getting baptized. He asked me a week ago, grinning from ear to ear, “Joshua, are you coming to my baptism?” Of course I told him that I wouldn’t miss it for the world.

Isaac being baptized, and the picture we took later that day…

As long as I have known him, Isaac constantly proclaims his love for Jesus. Even in the midst of way too many challenges for a young kid like him to face including health problems of his own, he never stops telling others that Jesus loves him and he loves Jesus. The compassion he shows for others just absolutely amazes me.

He also shows me what it means to thank God for everything you’re given in life, both the good things and the challenges. A few weeks ago, on Easter Sunday, we all gathered around, my Dad, grandparents, and all the kids, as I read passages from the Gospels on the sacrifice Jesus gave us. We used Easter eggs to illustrate each stage in the story. Each egg had an item in it symbolizing a different part of the story. The last one was empty symbolizing that Christ is no longer in the tomb.

Before sharing the Easter story, I listened as Isaac prayed for us. He told God everything he was thankful for. “Lord thank you for Mommy and Daddy. Thank you for Ronnie. Thank you for Joshua. Thank you for Paige.” He continued until he named everyone there. Then he said, “Also, thank you God for the pollen even though it makes me sneeze.” Everyone chuckled when he thanked God for the pollen.

This made me realize, however, that we should be thankful for everything. Yes of course, we should be thankful for the good in life, but also the trials and even the small inconveniences in life such as pollen.

The past week, Isaac had been overwhelmed with excitement and would constantly remind us that he was getting baptized on Sunday. He left us no doubt; he was excited to share his faith with the world. He wanted to show others just how much Jesus loves him. I was so happy for him. As the hour of his baptism approached, it struck me just how much I admire this little guy. Throughout his life, he had every reason why not to trust in God, so many reasons to say, “No. I don’t believe in Him.” But the awesome thing is that not once have I heard him get mad at God for the trials or inconveniences.

The truth is that I look up to Isaac. He has truly shown me what it means to be a follower of Christ. I cried tears of joy as I watched him smile as he was being baptized and as I loved on him when he returned to our pew afterwards.

When I thought my tears of joy had stopped, we then began singing “Forever Reign.” I was overcome with emotions when we sang these words:

You are more
You are more
Than my words will ever say
You are Lord
You are Lord
All creation will proclaim

You are here
You are here
In your presence I’m made whole
You are God
You are God
Of all else I’m letting go

Oh, I’m running to Your arms
I’m running to Your arms
The riches of Your love
Will always be enough
Nothing compares to Your embrace
Light of the world forever reign

My heart will sing
No other name
Jesus, Jesus

I know that I don’t always live out my faith as I should, but if this experience has shown me anything, if it has emphasized anything, it’s that, like Isaac, I should not have any hesitation in proclaiming His name to the world. I should be thankful for both the good and the bad. I should trust that God has a plan for each of our lives. Therefore, may I let go of everything holding me back in my faith, may I run into the Lord’s loving arms, and may my heart sing no other name than Jesus, Jesus!

Romans 15:13 says, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

I pray that I never forget that God’s presence is always with me, that no circumstance deters me away from that fact, and that I always overflow with joy in knowing that God watches over me and cares for me beyond what words can say. If Isaac has taught me anything, it’s that in everything we do, we should strive to constantly be on fire for Jesus.

So Lord, let my faith be one like Isaac’s, one that constantly has my heart overflowing with joy for You!

Hillsong Live. Forever Reign. By Jason Ingram and Reuben Morgan, 2010. AZLyrics. Web. 27. Apr. 2015.

New International Version. Bible Gateway. Web. 27 Apr. 2015.

Forever Reign by Hillsong Live

Glory by Phil Wickham

Stress, stress, and more stress. The more people I talk to, the more I hear this in conversation. It’s that time of year again, the semester is almost over. With many friends graduating college and deciding what to do next, with a sister about to graduate high school, and friends preparing to share the Gospel all over the world in India, the UK, Guatemala, Honduras, and elsewhere, life can seem, well… stressful!

I myself feel as if there is too much to accomplish in such a short amount of time. One exam, two research papers, a book review from a book I haven’t even opened yet, another book, a number of reading quizzes, an article review, a Scholar’s Day presentation, and quite a few study guides. All of this, not including 4 final exams, in the next three weeks. Somehow, I’m probably forgetting something and just exactly how I will get all of this done remains a mystery, but in some way I know that it just will, and as someone still trying to keep up a 4.0, it would be nice if I could get this done and done well. Needless to say, this can be described indeed as “stressful.”

But that’s all part of this crazy, hectic thing we call life. While I may be trying to make it through the next couple of weeks without metaphorically pulling my hair out, one thing that I must always remember is that God has a plan for me and I should lay all my anxieties at His feet.

Recently, I have heard many friends share with me all that stresses them about life right now. For those who are graduating, stress can come in trying to find a job or deciding how to pay for grad school. Others may feel uncertain of how to pay for next year’s tuition, while others deal with depression, lack of family support, the loss of a loved one, ongoing health problems, or fears that come with an upcoming missions opportunity. Whatever, it may be, Satan sometimes tries to use all of these obstacles to keep us from focusing on building our relationships with God and others.

This is when we must learn how to give up without giving up. What I mean is that we should lay all of our cares, emotions, desires, anxieties, and wants at the feet of Jesus, and as we do so, He can help us to press on and conquer those challenges. So give up what keeps you from focusing on Christ, but don’t give up on your goals thinking “it” can’t be done.

When we lay our burdens at the feet of Jesus, He can give us strength to “keep on keeping on.”

One thing that I have been praying for recently is that God helps me accomplish all that needs to be accomplished academically, but that it doesn’t keep me from building a relationship with God and with other people. While I strive to achieve all that I can to be academically successful, more than anything, I don’t want it to be an obstacle from growing in Christ and growing with others as we grow together in Christ.

Life can be stressful. Too often, it can beat us up, knock us down, and try to keep us down. But we must try to give up all our worries to Him.

1 Peter 5:6-7 tells us, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your care on Him, because He cares about you.”

What Christ is telling us is that we can lay all of our challenges at His feet, because He “has our back.” Jesus is telling us, “Don’t worry. I’ve got this.”

Now, I’m not saying give up as in giving up on our studies, our preparations for our future (whether that’s a job or a mission trip). I’m saying, give up your cares to Jesus, and He will help you to not give up!

The honest truth is that we will face many obstacles, challenges, and trials, and the fear of the unknown can sometimes cause us to have the desire of giving up. But we must trust in Christ and keep on keeping on. We will face trials, but when we walk with God, He can help us overcome those obstacles.

Even when life seems so chaotic, remember what John 16:33 tells us: “I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.”

The honest truth is that we will face many trials, but we must lay our burdens at the feet of Jesus and have peace in Him. We will face many challenges, but He has overcome all of that and much more.

So give up your anxieties to Jesus, but don’t give up on this crazy thing we call life!

Holman Christian Standard Bible. Bible Gateway. Web. 20 Apr. 2015.

We Fall Down by Chris Tomlin

Give Up by Howard & Vestal Goodman, Michael English, and Lillie Knauls

One of my favorite weeks at UMHB, is without a doubt, Spring Revival. Every year, I think, “How is next year going to top this year?” And somehow, in its own unique way, it does. Each year, as Revival gets closer and closer, I get excited! I count down the days when I can go and sit under the big white tent and worship the Lord with friends as we listen to an awesome Christian Rock band and a phenomenal speaker.

UMHB’s Big Tent where Revival was held from April 6-8, 2015

And as always, I can’t wait to see how unique each Revival is. My first year, Runks Runkles used his unstoppable energy and humorous anecdotes to emphasize that we are all unique and loved by God, and that through Christ, our weaknesses make us stronger. My second year, Tiny Dominguez pulled on our heartstrings to encourage us to say, “God, you are mine and you love me.” So, I was absolutely thrilled to hear what Eric Bryant had to share with us, and as always, the speaker for Revival revealed to me things I absolutely needed to hear.

This year’s speaker, Eric Bryant, and me. Eric Bryant is the author of an awesome book, “Not Like Me.”

His basic message for the week was about loving God, loving others, and loving yourself. These three aspects of what it means to be followers of Christ can at times be difficult. In order to love God, we must trust God and not miss the little things God puts in our lives.

When I go home, I pray for an enjoyable and relaxing weekend, one full of family time and rest. My Dad and I love netflixing, so sometimes I pray that the Wi-Fi works well so we can watch Netflix together.

It may seem trivial, but there is nothing wrong with thanking God for answering the small things. Every time I go home, my Dad and I watch Star Trek. I guess you could call us Trekkies. We will have marathons throughout the weekends, watching maybe 6-10 episodes a weekend depending on what else we do when we’re together. Recently we finished the Voyager series and are almost done with the second season of the Next Generation.

I absolutely love this time spent with my Dad, and I thank God for Star Trek. Sure it’s something simple as in a tv show to help us wind down and enjoy each other’s company, yet God places small things like Star Trek shows into our lives so that we can grow closer to others and be reminded that God loves us by giving us these small things. So thank you God for Star Trek.

Eric Bryant told us that sometimes God says yes to these small things, so that we can be prepared for when He says no to the big things. I have said in other posts, I don’t know why things don’t always work out the way we want them to. But God has a plan for our lives. He has a purpose even when we can’t comprehend why He might say no to the big things.

It may be difficult, but when He says no to the big things, let us try to trust that He is sovereign, thanking Him for the small things.

Loving people can also sometimes be a challenge, especially when they are not like us or when they have done us wrong. When Eric preached about this, it’s like he was talking directly to me. God has called us to not only love those who are like us, but also those who are different. Often, it can be easy to judge, but instead of taking one glance and avoiding someone for being different, let us show that person that Christ loves and cares for them. I know this may be a cliché saying, but we may be the only representation of Christ they see, so let’s be a good representation of HIM.

We must also love those who do us wrong. This can be extremely difficult, and I’ll be the first to admit that, but when he mentioned loving those who wronged us, I thought of people who have wronged me in the past. We don’t have to be fake and act like what they did was okay, but we must learn to love as Christ would love. This can be very difficult, but it is something we should try to do.

As we love God and love others, we must remember to love ourselves. God has a purpose for all of us and He sent His only son to die for us simply because He loves us. God has gone tremendous lengths to rescue us.

Colossians 1:13-14 states, “For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

He has done so much to rescue us, bringing us out of the dominion of darkness, so that we can have a brand new life in Him. He did all of this because of His love for us.

Eric Bryant reminded us that we can experience new life and in doing so, we should help others experience new life. God has healed us so we can heal others.

God loves us them so much that He sent you in their life, so love yourself and love others. Also, value yourself, because you are of infinite worth.

I absolutely loved Eric’s message of loving ourselves and loving others as we love God. Every year, I get absolutely pumped at Revival. The Revival Committee, led by amazing students, always manages to bring together an awesome speaker full of insights and an awesome band to lead us in worship. Worshipping to “How He Loves” and “Oceans” overwhelms me. It was amazing to see so many students sing at the tops of their lungs with arms open wide, praising His name! I was also blessed that my Dad was able to attend one night and praise God with me!

I was blessed that my wonderful Dad could attend Revival with me the second night!

Here’s a picture I took with this year’s worship band, The Digital Age.

But let us not let Revival end here. Let Revival continue. It can be easy to be on a sort of Revival high and then as soon as it’s over, go back to the way things were before. However, that is not how we should look at our relationship with HIM. Let us continue to be on fire for Him, sharing His love, His gospel, His message of hope and restoration to those around us.

Part of loving God is to be constantly on fire for Him, glorifying Him in everything we do. As imperfect as we are, we will fail at times, but when we do, let’s try and get back up, loving and serving others by openly praising His name, because again, we may be the only “Christ” they see.

So don’t let Revival stop in your hearts now that the event is over. Let Revival continue!!!

New International Version. Bible Gateway. Web. 13 Apr. 2015.

Oceans by The Digital Age

Last year at UMHB’s Revival, the speaker Tiny Dominguez, told us that he loves love movies. “Not that vampire/werewolf nonsense, because in my day, vampires and werewolves were supposed to be scary. But actual love movies.” He told us that he was man enough to admit it. I then thought, “I’m not the only one.” Think what you will, but I’ll be man enough to admit that I cried when watching The Notebook and The Vow, and I don’t cry often during movies, but these movies brought out the tears in me.

There is a love story, However, that I know outdoes any Hollywood love stories, and that’s the story of what Jesus did for us on the cross. Why? Because He loves us.

Growing up, I have learned many songs as a kid depicting the love Christ has for us. Jesus Loves Me and Jesus Loves the Little Children are probably two of the most taught songs in Sunday school. Now as I am older, the question I have is “Why does Jesus love me!?” Why does He love me so much that He would die for me? Does He not know that I am imperfect? Does He not know that I am a sinner who will only continue to fall short and sin constantly? Why would someone so perfect love someone so imperfect?

The answers to these questions are answers I will never have. I will never understand why He would love such a broken human being like myself.

But here’s the awesome truth behind it all… I don’t have to understand why He loves me. I just have to trust and know that He does love me more than my mind will ever comprehend. And this magnitude of love gives me so much comfort, because I know that no matter what I face in life, no matter if times are good or bad, my Savior will always love me, and He will love me unconditionally.

Last Wednesday, UMHB held its annual Easter Pageant, depicting Christ’s miracles, trial, death, and resurrection. This was the third year I have witnessed this spectacular performance of the greatest love story ever told.

Unlike years past, as my eyes watched underneath my sunshades, I wept as I realized just how much the Father loves me. As I sat outside, listening to “Via Dolorosa,” with the clouds majestically floating by, I witnessed the depiction of guards mocking and crowds shouting at Jesus, I watched as Jesus hung on a cross made for the worst of criminals, and as I watched, I realized that He did this for one major reason, His love for me.

I still remember the first time I watched The Passion of the Christ. I remember trying to hold in my emotions as I watched the scene where He was beaten by Roman soldiers, and I failed miserably. While this movie might be the most gruesome depiction of the pain inflicted on Jesus, it pales in comparison to the suffering He actually endured. Yet, just seeing a small glimpse of what He endured makes me forever grateful that I serve a God who loves me so so much.

I don’t have the answers as to why Christ loves me, yet He does. I don’t deserve His love, yet He loves me anyway. I am so unworthy of His love, yet to Him, I am of infinite worth. I have fallen short so many times because of sin and will only continue to do so as I am imperfect, yet He loved me so much that He was willing to pay the price for my sin. He was willing to be convicted of my own wrongdoings, suffering the consequences of my own actions.

The question of “Why?” still comes to mind. Why? Why? Why?

That is when He tells me, “Because I love you. Do I need any other reason?” That’s the beauty of unconditional love. His love is one that I cannot earn, yet He gives it anyway. His love is one I don’t deserve, yet He gives it anyway.

Watching the Easter Pageant, I cried tears of overwhelming joy as I was reminded that He suffered the cross because He loves me. But you see, this amazing love story doesn’t end there, because after He was buried, He arose three days later and is still alive, watching over us every step of the way. As two students beautifully sang these words, the Pageant’s Jesus walked out of the tomb…

Arise, my love
Arise, my love
The grave no longer has a hold on you.
No more death’s sting
no more suffering
Arise…arise….

My heart was overcome with joy. Yes, I have heard this story countless times. Yes, I have seen this Pageant 5 other times (twice my first year, three times last year), but this time it was as if Jesus wanted to really reassure me that He did all of this for me.

As I was walking to class this morning, I listened to Kari Jobe’s song, “What Love Is This.” Again, I was overwhelmed with emotion as I watched the clouds float by as the birds flew in formation.

What love is this, that you gave your life for me
And made a way for me to know you
And I confess you’re always enough for me you’re all I need

I look to you, I see the scars upon your hands.
And hold the truth, that when I can’t you always can.
I’m standing here, beneath the shadow of the cross. 
I’m overwhelmed that I keep finding open arms.

What love is this that you gave your life for me 
And made a way for me to know you
And I confess, you’re always enough for me
You’re all I need

Jesus in your suffering you were reaching your thought of me
Jesus in your suffering you were reaching your thought of me

I will always be amazed at the love Christ has for me and if you ask me exactly why He loves me, I will not be able to give you a definite answer. What I can tell you is that “He just does.” How amazing is it to know that He loves us so much that He suffered the cross while thinking of us. He loved us so much that He was willing to lay down His life, He was willing to suffer and die, He was willing to endure all of our suffering, take on all of our sin, and defeat death simply because He loves us! And His love is truly all we need.

John 15:13 says, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”

The awesome truth is that He loves us so much that He endured the cross and defeated the grave just because He loves us, and that to me is the greatest love story ever!

The sad truth is, however, that not everyone has heard this awesome love story. There are so many people all across this world and even on the campus of Mary Hardin-Baylor that have never heard this story. I cannot imagine living life without this blessed assurance that Christ loves me and that as my favorite hymn proclaims, “Because He lives, I can face tomorrow!” So as believers, let us not keep this love story to ourselves. Let us proclaim it at the top of our lungs so that the whole world my hear that Jesus left His throne in Heaven, became human, was convicted of our sin so we wouldn’t have to be, rose from the grave, and promised His return just because He loves us.

Because this is the GREATEST LOVE STORY EVER TOLD!

Jobe, Kari. What Love Is This. By Lincoln Brewster, Mia Fieldes, and Kari Jobe, 2012. MetroLyrics. Web. 6 Apr. 2015.

New King James Version. Bible Gateway. Web. 6 Apr. 2015.

NewSong. Arise My Love. By Eddie Carswell. MetroLyrics. Web. 6 Apr. 2015.

What Love Is This by Kari Jobe

How Deep The Father’s Love For Us by Selah

For the last two weeks, I had it figured out what I was going to write about for this week’s blog, then, last night, I went to The Gathering in McLane Stadium at Baylor University and God said, “I have a better message for you to blog about!”

Going to this event was more than amazing! It was a revival of thousands of believers who came together to Baylor’s football stadium to worship our Savior. They could not have come up with a better name for this event, “The Gathering,” as it was a gathering of people from all walks of life, ages, backgrounds, denominations, etc. It was a gathering of Christ followers from many different places. I sat with my friend Audrey and her friends who are Baylor students. I am a UMHB student, and I’m sure that here and there, perhaps there were some from UT or A&M as well. So many people gathered in one place.

They even had different pastors, from different denominations pray at the beginning of the event, two in English, one in Spanish. It was a large group of so many different kinds of people.

But beyond that, beyond it being Bears, Crusaders, Aggies, Longhorns, young people, elderly people, middle-aged people, black people, brown people, white people, English speakers, Spanish speakers, there was one thing that united us. We are the body of Christ, we are all loved and redeemed by God, and He can use us, every part of us, regardless of where we are at, because it’s not about who we are, but who He is.

One thing that stood out to me was something that Baylor QB Bryce Petty told the audience in a video. He talked about how he struggled with his faith when he was unsure of where God was taking him as he had to watch on the sidelines as a backup QB to RGIII and Nick Florence before finally becoming the starting quarterback. However, he told us something that God revealed to him in this situation. He told us that he’s not just a football player, that playing football is what he does, it’s not who he is. Who he is, is a believer in Christ. Instead of being known as Bryce Petty, that football player, he wants to be known as Bryce Petty, that Christian.

He talked about not defining yourself by a label that the world gives you or a label you try to give to yourself, but the label God gives you. That’s the only label that we should be concerned about. The label we have as believers is that we are followers of Christ. That is the only thing we should label ourselves as. Then, Bryce Petty told us that no matter what we do, whether we are people working in an office, taxi drivers, or football players, we should do it giving God the glory, proclaiming His name to others around us.

So, I am not just a UMHB student, a History/Political Science major, an American, a Texan, or a Baptist. I am a follower of Jesus Christ. That is my label: A Believer! As a believer, I need not be afraid to wear that label, and where it proudly!

During this concert, God reminded me that as a Christian, as a believer in Christ, I need to proclaim His name at the top of my lungs. And not just to fellow Christians, but to others where I may be more uncomfortable about my faith. While it may be easy to talk faith around other believers, the true test of faith is proclaiming His name to those you are unsure of whether or not they are believers.

The speaker, Dr. Tony Evans, asked us something that I will always remember. He asked us that when those around us charge us of being a Christian, “Will they have enough evidence to convict us?” In other words, are we proclaiming His name to extent that there is no doubt of who we serve? This is one charge we must all strive to be convicted of. When others see me, I want there to be no doubt. I hope that when they see me they go, “Hey. That’s Joshua Stewart. He follows Jesus!”

Every time I look at the sky, I can’t help but smile. Every time I feel the cool breeze blowing against my back, I can’t help but think just how awesome and how mighty my God is. So why am I not proclaiming this, not just to fellow like-mined believers, but to everyone? Why can’t I jump that hurtle and climb that wall that is keeping me from telling everyone I meet and showing them, “I am a believer,” so that they too can have the same hope that I have?

One of my favorite hymns that emphasizes this is “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus.”

I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back. 

Though I may wonder, I still will follow;
Though I may wonder, I still will follow;
Though I may wonder, I still will follow;
No turning back, no turning back. 

The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
No turning back, no turning back. 

Though none go with me, still I will follow;
Though none go with me, still I will follow;
Though none go with me, still I will follow;
No turning back, no turning back. 

Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
No turning back, no turning back

Even if everyone else is acquitted, even if none go with us, will we have the courage to stand convicted and proclaim that our label is that we are believers? Will we openly follow Jesus without turning back? Will we proclaim His Good News?

Acts 20:24 says this, “However I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.”

In everything we do, we must do with one goal in mind, and that is to finish the race, to testify to everyone so that the whole world hears us, that we are believers! Doing so openly may be frightening. It may be scary. It may be challenging. Let us strive to take up that challenge, and proclaim His Good News to the world. Let us stand convicted!

I AM A BELIEVER! Are you!?

Anonymous. I Have Decided to Follow Jesus. Public Domain.

New International Version. Bible Gateway. Web. 30 Mar. 2015.

Until The Whole World Hears by Casting Crowns

I Have Decided To Follow Jesus/Moving Forward by Israel Houghton

The past two weeks, my posts have largely been about keeping focused on the future and knowing that God has a plan for you. There are times, however, when keeping focused seems almost completely impossible, or at least somewhat difficult.

Too often the world will try to tear down our spirits with all the negative things happening in our lives and in the lives of those around us. All one has to do to see this negativity is to turn on the television sets to see believers being persecuted all across the globe by terrorist organizations and abusive governments. Meanwhile in our own lives, we are bound to endure much difficulties, anywhere from the loss of a loved one, a break-up in a relationship, a dream crushed, or a struggle to do well in class.

Whatever the issue, life tends to try and knock us down whenever it seems to be at the worst possible time. Over the past few months, I have seen much hurt and pain experienced by people I care so deeply about. I’ve seen friends and family members struggle with health problems, endure the loss of loved ones, and struggle to understand why bad things happen.

All I know is that in any circumstance, I don’t have all the answers, and I simply never will. What I do know is that God knows the answers and knows every hurt and every pain that we go through, and while I don’t understand what may be going on, all I have to do is trust in the Lord’s sovereignty.

We serve a mighty and majestic God. Any time I look at the beautiful shades of orange and pink in the evening sky or gaze at the millions of stars at night, I am overwhelmed by how mighty God is. I am amazed that He made this beautiful sky, allowed the birds to chirp sweet melodies, dotted the rolling hills with bluebonnets, daisies, and Indian paintbrushes, and yet took the time to reach down and create us, and through our imperfections, He still loves us.

I don’t have the answers to any of these problems. During the summer, I was driving down my county road, and as I did so, I thought of all my friends and family members who were going through heartaches, pains, and tragedies. I wept as I drove home, yet as I listened to K-Love, God spoke to me and told me, “Trust in my sovereignty.”

I was left speechless as I rejoiced in Him amidst all these thoughts. He gave me the ability to trust in Him, and instead of trying to understand fully what all was happening, I decided to trust that God is sovereign. I may not know the answers, I may not understand the situation, but what I do know is that my God and Savior gave His own Son who conquered death and promised His return to us some day. In every circumstance, while it may be natural to try and understand everything that is happening in our lives, we must trust that our God knows everything. We don’t have to understand it, because He does.

It can be hard to let go of our desire to try and understand everything to the point where we don’t trust God’s power and majesty. But we must try! We must try to lay our thoughts, our burdens, our cares at His feet and say, “God I trust you!”

One assurance that we have as believers is that in any situation, we can give Him all our burdens, because He overcame more pain, more agony than we will ever experience. Remembering this truth and accepting it can also be challenging, but take heart, His love has overcome.

My Dad and I love sharing Christian music together and recently, we have fallen in love with the lyrics and singing talent of Kari Jobe. We now have three of her CDs and thanks to our awesome Chromecast device, we frequently project her YouTube videos on our television set. One of my favorite songs she sings is Forever (see awesome video below). Read the lyrics and see how God speaks to you:

The moon and stars they wept
The morning sun was dead
The Savior of the world was fallen
His body on the cross
His blood poured out for us
The weight of every curse upon him

One final breath he gave
As heaven looked away
The son of God was laid in darkness
A battle in the grave
The war on death was waged
The power of hell forever broken

The ground began to shake
The stone was rolled away
his perfect love could not be overcome
Now death where is your sting?
Our resurrected King
Has rendered you defeated

Forever he is glorified
Forever he is lifted high
Forever he is risen
He is alive, He is alive!

We sing hallelujah
We sing hallelujah
We sing hallelujah
The Lamb has overcome

Forever he is glorified
Forever he is lifted high
Forever he is risen
He is alive, He is alive!

You have overcome
You have overcome
You have overcome
You have overcome

How awesome is it to know that His love has overcome death, has overcome every sorrow, every affliction, every curse, every pain and suffering. This gives me so much joy. No matter what life tries to throw our way, let us strive to trust in His sovereignty, because He overcame it all. He is alive!

Romans 5:8 says, “But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us!” (HCSB)

1 Peter 5:6-7 tells us, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your care on Him, because He cares about you.” (HCSB)

And John 16:33 tells us, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (ESV)

God loves us so much that He sent His son to die for us. When we come before Him, humbling ourselves, laying everything at His feet, He exalts us. He cares for us so much that it leaves me speechless. We will face trials and heartache, but He goes before us, and will never leave us. So no matter what we face, let us take heart, He has overcome! He is alive! Forever He is glorified!

Therefore, when life tries to knock us down and when we cannot understand what lies ahead, let us proclaim, “God, you are mine! You love me! I trust in your sovereignty!”

English Standard Version. Bible Gateway. Web. 24 Mar. 2015.

Holman Christian Standard Bible. Bible Gateway. Web. 24 Mar. 2015.

Jobe, Kari. Forever. By Brian Johnson, Christa Black Gifford, Gabriel Wilson, Jenn Johnson, Joel Taylor, Kari Jobe, 2013. MetroLyrics. Web. 24 Mar. 2015.

Forever by Kari Jobe:

Last week, I posted about trusting in God to guide your future. Part of trusting in God’s plan is realizing that when one opportunity falls through, we must realize that God just so happens to have something else in store for us. While we may not understand exactly what path He leads us on, we must trust that when one door closes, He will open another door for us to walk through. While we wait for that next door to open, we should praise Him in the hallway. God knows His plan for us more than we ever will.

Last November, I applied to be a Co-Director for the Missions Emphasis Week Steering Committee. Here at UMHB, Missions Emphasis Week (MEW) is an annual event where for a week, we invite missionaries from across the state of Texas, the country, and even some from abroad. During MEW, we have tables set up where they can interact with students and the Steering Committee places them in classrooms so they can provide students with missions opportunities.

Beyond that, we also organize seminars such as encountering other faiths, helping the homeless, or encountering those who practice voodoo. We even organize special events such as a global prayer event or a fashion runway, where female volunteers wear clothes from across the globe, and someone will describe what women go through in those countries.

This is a week I always look forward to, as it always gives me such great joy to see God move through the hearts of students on campus as they discern the call to go to places like India, China, Brazil, or right across town to work at the Helping Hands ministry. For the past two years, I had served on the Steering Committee and so I decided I wanted to help lead the Committee as a Co-Director. This is something I had been wanting to do since I first joined the committee, and I thought that this would be the right time to apply.

I filled out the application, the interview went well, and a couple of weeks later, my awesome roommate, Greggory Miller, gave me a call. He was one of the Co-Directors who interviewed the applicants for next year. In the call, he told me that I didn’t get it, but he encouraged me to remember that not getting it only means that God has something even greater in store for my life.

I have applied for many things in the past, to which I was not accepted for. Most of the time, it did not take me long to get over it and forget about it. This time, however, I felt that I had never applied for something that I wanted so much, so it took me longer to get over being disappointed, about 40 minutes. Compared to other things to which I got over within a few minutes, this seemed like quite a while to get over it. I felt that I really wanted it, but then I realized, perhaps that’s not what God wanted. He made me realize that that door was not one I was supposed to enter, and I’m so grateful that He did.

The outgoing Co-Directors chose awesome, outstanding men and women of God to lead next year’s MEW. I am beyond excited for them, and cannot wait to serve alongside them as I have been chosen to be on the committee for next year.

I’m glad I wasn’t chosen, because I truly feel that the four that were are better for this leadership role. Almost immediately after I got over not being chosen, I felt God tell me, “Now you can apply to be Cru-Leader!” Since my Welcome Week (2012) freshman year, I have desired to be a Cru-Leader (CL) at some point. Basically CLs mentor and lead a group of incoming freshman during Welcome Week (the week before the semester starts that allows them to become acquainted with college life at UMHB) and we get to help teach their freshman seminar course.

What gave me the desire for this was my own Welcome Week experience. My first night on campus, there was an event called the Quad Party which had large inflatable obstacle courses, mechanical bull riding, popcorn, etc. I wanted to go on one obstacle course, but not knowing anybody, I was afraid to ask anyone. Then, my CL, Samantha Garza, came up to me and asked if I wanted to go on the obstacle course with her. At the time she had a brace on her foot and I asked if she truly wanted to do that with a banged up foot. She said she absolutely would.

Samantha became the first friend I made on campus and she would later mentor and pray with me throughout the week and first semester, to which I’ll always be grateful.

With those memories in mind, I felt God nudging me that it was time for me to step up and apply to mentor freshmen and become someone’s “first friend,” just as Samantha had been for me. After applying and doing the interview process in February, I received a text congratulating me for getting the CL position for next year. I was overjoyed and I am still beyond excited and cannot wait to pour into the lives of new college students next semester. Had I received the Co-Director position, I would not have had time for this wonderful opportunity.

I share this story because I truly believe that when God closes one door, he will eventually open another for you to enter. In the present, we may not understand why something doesn’t work out the way it does. We may think we understand what would be best and we may try to tell God, “I would be doing this for you.” However, we should never try put God into a box like that. He always knows what is best for us more than we will ever be able to understand.

And while we wait for a door to open so we can enter, we need to learn to praise Him in the hallway. This example was not the only time God closed a door for me, but time and time again, I decided to give Him every want and desire I had and trust that He knows what is best for me. Given this truth, I have learned to praise Him for closing any door, because it just means that I am supposed to serve Him and others in some other capacity.

Jeremiah 29:11 from The Message says, “I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.”

This shows me that God knows exactly what He is doing and what His plans for us are. While we may not understand and grasp it, He has plans for every single one of us. Plans to take care of us. Plans not to abandon us. Plans to give us futures to hope for. So when one door closes, that just means that He will open another door for us to enter. This is something we can hope in, because God our Father has not, and will never leave us. He will always guide us to a future we can hope for.

So when He closes a door, dance and praise Him in the hallway, because soon He will open another door for you to enter!

The Message. Bible Gateway. Web. 16 Mar. 2015.

I’m Letting Go by Francesca Battistelli

I Will Follow by Chris Tomlin

Focusing on the future, learning to trust in God’s plan, and practicing spiritual disciplines

While preparing this week’s blog, I stopped writing just as I was finishing the post. I felt as if God was telling me to think of something new. To look into the future and beyond. This is what I intend to do with this post, to not dwell on the past but to look towards the days ahead.

As I was having writer’s block, I asked my Dad for input, and he said something that essentially encompassed what I was thinking. He told me, “It’s easy to get submerged in the past. It’s more fun to float in faith.”

Too often, that’s exactly what happens. We become easily entangled in the past, when God is urging us to look at what He has in store for us. So instead of submerging yourself in the quicksand of the past, relax, take a spiritual floating tube, and float on the never-ending river of God’s faith.

I thought about this and thought about this, and I decided to write a Spiritual Bucket List of sorts. This doesn’t necessarily imply that these are things I plan to do before I die physically, but a list of things that I will strive to work on as I turn to God to help me keep focused on the future.

Here’s what I thought of so far:

1.) Complain less. This is something that I struggle with. It’s easy to complain about the little things. When I complain, something I will try to do is to step back mentally and think of something positive in that situation.

2.) Watch my tongue. This is another one of my struggles. Recently, I told a friend that for Lent, I made it my goal to give up cussing and hopefully continue this for months and years to come. When I told my friend this, she was perplexed, telling me that she’s never heard me swear. One thing that the vast majority of people don’t know is that when I think no one is listening, I occasionally talk like a sailor, so to speak. I have prayed to God to help me stop cussing as I felt that it drew me away from Him. It can be hard to break a habit like this one. I continue to slip, but I am trying.

3.) Slow down, don’t rush, take time, and listen to people. I love to have conversations with people. Once I get to know you, I love to talk. One thing I strive to do is to never feel so much in a hurry that I can’t enjoy a conversation with someone.

4.) Read my bible more! It’s easy to get so caught up in homework, essays, book reviews, Netflixing, spending mindless hours googling something absurd on the internet, and of course Trivia Crack. Now while I don’t plan on completely giving up the internet, a nice movie, or my new favorite trivia game, or more importantly, schoolwork, I need to spend more time in the Word. So instead of that watching that movie that probably stinks anyways, I will try to instead read a chapter or two of the Bible.

These are just some of the things I plan to work on. As I try to complain less, use my words more wisely (even when no one is around, God still is), take time to listen, and read God’s Word more, I will also try my best to focus on what God has in store for me.

Which is why I will try to focus more on the future. God has something mighty in store for me. I don’t know His exact plans, and I’m not going to try and put Him in a box like that, because not a single box fits. I hope, however, to graduate from UMHB, go to grad school, get married, have a family, have a nice career, encourage others in their walks with God as they encourage me, run for president (Stewart 2028!), win the Nobel Peace Prize, invent some new technology, make first contact with extraterrestrials (My Klingon is a little rusty), etc.  Lofty goals? Some of them perhaps. I’ve already pictured where I want to be in 5 years, 10 years, 15, 20 etc. But even if that doesn’t go the way I would like, the awesome truth is that God has something in store for me. I don’t know what, but I know it’s something.

And the beautiful thing is that He has something in store for us all. Maybe for some of you, part of your plans have recently come crashing down and things didn’t work the way you thought they would. However, I pray you can take comfort in knowing that God has something in store for your life. If what you wanted didn’t turn out the way you wanted, perhaps God has something even better in store for your life.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying forget about your past and don’t tell it to anyone. In my previous post last week I talked about the power of sharing your testimony, because we each have a story to tell. So share your story! What I’m saying here is that we should try to focus on the good that God has in store for us.

Isaiah 43:19 says, “Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”

In this verse, God is telling us that we shouldn’t worry. Instead we should strive to rely fully on Him. Our God is so mighty and so great that we can’t put him in a box to fit our expectations. God tells us that He is making the way, not us. We’re not making the way, He is! And He is so powerful, that he can make rivers in our deserts!

Therefore, when we place our full trust in Him, He will guide us towards our future. This assures me that I don’t have to worry about tomorrow, because my plans will never work exactly how I want them. I don’t know what the future brings, but I know that God does, and any future with Him is an awesome future regardless of the challenges.

So while this post’s title is “My Spiritual Bucket List,” the awesome thing is that as a believer, when I die on this Earth, I know I will continue living, spending eternity with Christ. This is the greatest promise we have in store as believers. How awesome is it to know that one day, everyone will stand before God and proclaim that He is Lord, and as believers in Christ, we will spend eternity with Him. This is something I certainly look forward to.

In the meantime, as I look forward to that wonderful day, I look towards the future in my life here on Earth. In preparation for living with HIM, I will strive to practice these spiritual disciplines that are on my “Spiritual Bucket List.” I don’t know what tomorrow brings, but I know that my God will be with me tomorrow as He is today.

As you look ahead, plan some ideas of how to draw yourself closer to Christ and others, and always trust in Him to guide your future.

So instead of submerging yourself in the past, FLOAT IN FAITH!

English Standard Version. Bible Gateway. Web. 9 Mar. 2015.

Welcome To The New by MercyMe

Soul On Fire by Third Day