Today was very good. I got to hang out with my best friend Matt, grab a burrito at Moe's Southwest grille AND finally got to go to Clearwater beach. I don't know how to describe how much all these things meant to me. There are just some people in your life that your so tight with, they're almost like a Jonathen to your David. That's what Matt is to me, and I'm grateful to God for him. It's been a real challenging confronting my worst fear, that I am manic depressive. I've learned that it really isn't the end of the world, and that it can be quite manageable with medication, and a regular dose of sleep. Praise God that I'm getting both of those things these days.
I don't know why, but the beach is really my home. For some reason, I think of it as the most safe chill place on earth. I guess it's because when I was little, my parents would take us to the beach on a Sunday afternoon. Mom would always read a book on the shore, and Dad would take us out in to the water and play games with us. Afterward, we would go grab an ice cream cone. That was one of the good memories I had as a child, and I'm trying to focus on positive things these days. In fact, I'm asking God for help in learning that "what...(others)...meant for evil, God will use for good".
So I'm doing really good, and might even have a job at my old workplace, Sam Ash Music Stores. They're looking for someone to take care of the Recording department. I'm not putting all my eggs in one basket, and still applying to the other places. But that would be really awesome, if it works out.
I've got a support group going with this bipolar thing, and I'm also seeking professional help tomorrow. Medication seems to be helping me in the mean time, and I'm choosing to focus on Jesus, instead of myself.
At the beach, me and Matt did some filming with my laptop. I'll try to upload it to the web sometime this week. We ended up meeting this guy, and try to talk to him about Jesus. He told us that he had gone through cancer, and we offered to pray for him, but he turned us down. Oh, well, we can still send in "air support" without his consent. :)
So, things are looking up, but I'm still trying to keep both feet on the ground. It's good for me to be around my family. It's been really humbling at times. I hope that I can be a blessing to them, just as much as I am to others. When reading the Word this morning, I saw a note that I must've jotted down at the Calvary East Coast Pastor's Conference. Your family get's the best portions from the Word, and everyone else gets sloppy seconds. I like that. I think it's true. The priority in your life should be God, Family, Ministry, and then everything else. So grateful for God's grace and the revolutionary love that Jesus has shown, is showing today, and will show for eternity.
My younger brother Joey, played me some new music by Charlie Hall. There's one song in particular that has a great chorus, "When everything around me is going crazy (paraphrase), Your love is the rock on which I stand". That is so true, and something I'm asking God to reveal to me more and more.
Great Men's bible study tonight. We looked at 1 John 2, and read all about God's love and truth. The Living Word (Jesus) is inside of the hearts of believers who are filled with the Holy Spirit. That's how we can avoid cults, bad doctrine, and deception. The Spirit of truth, leads and guides us, into all truth. What a wonderful thing to be reminded that we live in truth, and the truth lives in us. Jesus is the truth, and Jesus lives in the hearts of those who believe.
"In the world you will have tribulation, but take courage, I have already overcome the world."-Jesus (John 16:33)
Take courage, God's already finished everything, all we have to do is trust in His mighty love. I was thanking God for the palm trees this morning, since they look so lovely, stately, and tall. I thought about God's great big love, and how awesome He must be in person. It's so great to know that someday, it's going to happen. I'll be face to face with Jesus, and nothing will ever separate us.
Please pray that I would hear the voice of the true shepherd, and not be led astray by others. I've already learned that "there is wisdom in the multitude of many counselors", and "He who isolates himself, rages against all counsel." I guess guys like myself, are mule headed, and have to learn things the hard way. For now, I trust the Word, and also loved ones around me for help in discerning God's voice. It's not His voice that may be wrong, just my own "faulty wiring". The signal is coming in clear, it's just the reception that's a little fuzzy.
"Praise God for his indescribable gift!"-Apostle Paul (2 Corinthians 9:15)
Amen. If it wasn't for God's grace, I would not be qualified to pick up trash on the street, let alone carry the glorious riches of the Gospel. I'm trying to take things slow and easy, and not get carried away. It's very humbling to rely on others more than self, but it's good for me, too. I have missed my family and friends terribly.
The week before I left Perth, On, we watched a film called "Paul the Apostle". It's three hours long, but totally worth it, it's a great flick. There's a line from that movie that resonates with me. Upon discovering there were believers in a foreign place, Paul said in the movie, "You are Christians. Oh, well than I am home." What a marvelous statement. When we gather with other believers, we feel like we're with family. I do miss my "family" in Perth, but I know that I will see them again someday, even if it's in Heaven. I'd like to pay them a visit in the summer, but we'll see what the Lord has in mind.
As always, I have multiple opportunities to do several things, but "only one thing is necessary and Mary has found it" (Luke 10:42). "One thing have I desired of the Lord, and that I will seek, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life. To behold, the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple." (Ps 27:4).
Well, I need to head for my bed. Be blessed.
Grace and Peace,
Jesse
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