So about a month ago my boy Chris Mark comes up to me, and asks "Hey brother would you like to come to Tres Dias?" Now i had heard from my other brothers and sister about there wonderful experiences at this retreat, and had thought about going. At this moment the devil started working on me telling me it really wasnt that grand, and i could just wait and go next spring.
Boy am I glad i didn't listen.
So off to this retreat i go. Thinking ok i'll learn some more and get more knowledge about God. It'll be worth it. Boy was that an understatement. This retreat was an experience unlike any other i have ever had with God. I learned so many things about God's grace and love that i "knew", but didn't really know. If that makes any since. I learned so much about myself and how dependent i have to be on God, but also how I must depend on the other Christ followers. As many of you know i've always been "Mr. Fix It:" for everyone else, but when it came to my own stuff. I just wanted to be left alone.... I thought i could do it by myself. I was wrong in that one too.
I had gotten to a point where i truly believed that because of the things in my past that God had done all he could do with me, and that i was stuck where i was at. Granted where i'm at ain't bad at all, but God wants so much more me. He has so much more planned for me! I accept that and i'm ready for it. God did so much for me in Three Days.
I have heard from people who are in the prophetic tealm several times that i had an "Orphan Spirit" and counted them as crazy and just went on with my thing. Well this weekend i truly realized what they we're talking about, and that it was true. I wanted the acceptance of those around me, and i would conform to whatever they we're to be accepted. I looked back on a time in my life, and realized that it was when i was happiest. When i could truly be myself. When we would chill on the weekends With Tara, Andrew, Heather, Loren, Mike, Niki, Faith, Andrea, and all the others that went in and out of our group there in Virginia Beach. The Group that went from Tara & Andrew's, Then to Mike and Niki's and then make our way to Heather's at mullholland Drive. That was when i was truly myself. I had forgotten how free i was back then.
Well it's time to be me again cause God loves me for me, and that's all that matters. So i to put it a certain way Bama is back. Fohawk and all. If you don't like that oh well. Its time for me to be me. What God wants me to be not what everyone else thinks i should be.
DE COLORES
Monday, September 19, 2011
Monday, August 29, 2011
How God Works
Don't we all wish it were just as simple as God take this away from me. If only right? However I do think God is still trying to teach me to depend on him for everything. So many "sins" in life we try to get rid of and conquer on our own. We don't realize that some things are just to big for us to handle on our own. Then there are the times that God speaks to you and say's hey i want this done now. Right Now! Not tomorrow, Not a week from now, Right Now. You may say i'm crazy, but whatever at this point I'm done worrying about what people think. It's time for me and God to do some serious hashing things out. What brought on this sudden craziness you ask. Let me tell you what the first thing i got on facebook this morning was.
(CHAT)
You need to quit smoking immediately Carl,
The black cloud that i saw around you is lung cancer
I had a vision of you in a casket,
consequences,
don't put another one to your lips
the devil is trying to devour you at all costs
So how's that for a good morning? That was my real wake up call. I felt the burden to quit smoking months ago. I even quit for a couple of months, but then picked it back up once things at work got stressful. Here is the thing i have realized today though. By picking it back up i am now disobeying God. Believe me I have fought him on this one. Due to my addiction to ciggarates i have not wanted to give this one up. I pleaded with God Please just let me have this one thing. Now i'm realizing that i was more dependent on nicotine than i was on God. That my friends is completely backwards. Smoking had become my idol. The thing that i lust after most. That nicotine fix has such a hold on my life.
Have i had a ciggaratte since i got the message? That's a big NO, but the question thats brooding in my heart is this. Have I waited too late? I have all these thoughts going threw my head now. Am i too late to avoid this curse that comes from my disobedience? If so then all i can do is know that God will get glory from it.
I will continue to give glory to God in all that i do. I will continue to worship God in all i do, and I will continue to worship God in all that i do. Even if i haven't been able to avoid the curse that has plagued so many in my family. I will continue to give my all for God. I will not be double minded anymore. I will not allow the devil to get me down. I will not be pulled down by the devil anymore. If i haven't avoided it then so be it. I will continue to worship the lord all of the days that i have left on this earth.
Now i already know that there are going to be people that say God wouldn't do that! God is love and grace and mercy. Do me a favor and read your bible instead of listening to what everyone is telling you. Just read Exodus & Numbers and tell me how many times God said (Carl paraphrase here) "Moses get out of my way i'm gonna destroy them all and start over with you."
Numbers 26: 8-10 ( just one example)
8 The son of Pallu was Eliab, 9 and the sons of Eliab were Nemuel, Dathan and Abiram. The same Dathan and Abiram were the community officials who rebelled against Moses and Aaron and were among Korah’s followers when they rebelled against the LORD. 10 The earth opened its mouth and swallowed them along with Korah, whose followers died when the fire devoured the 250 men. And they served as a warning sign. 11 The line of Korah, however, did not die out.
I am confident in this God is a loving God and forgives all things. I pray that i have avoided this. If i have then Glory to God, If I haven't then Glory to God. In all things God will get the Glory!!!!
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2 Praise the LORD, my soul,
and forget not all his benefits—
3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
6 The LORD works righteousness
and justice for all the oppressed.
7 He made known his ways to Moses,
his deeds to the people of Israel:
8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.
9 He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;
10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
13 As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;
14 for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust.
15 The life of mortals is like grass,
they flourish like a flower of the field;
16 the wind blows over it and it is gone,
and its place remembers it no more.
17 But from everlasting to everlasting
the LORD’s love is with those who fear him,
and his righteousness with their children’s children—
18 with those who keep his covenant
and remember to obey his precepts.
19 The LORD has established his throne in heaven,
and his kingdom rules over all.
20 Praise the LORD, you his angels,
you mighty ones who do his bidding,
who obey his word.
21 Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts,
you his servants who do his will.
22 Praise the LORD, all his works
everywhere in his dominion.
Praise the LORD, my soul.
(CHAT)
You need to quit smoking immediately Carl,
The black cloud that i saw around you is lung cancer
I had a vision of you in a casket,
consequences,
don't put another one to your lips
the devil is trying to devour you at all costs
So how's that for a good morning? That was my real wake up call. I felt the burden to quit smoking months ago. I even quit for a couple of months, but then picked it back up once things at work got stressful. Here is the thing i have realized today though. By picking it back up i am now disobeying God. Believe me I have fought him on this one. Due to my addiction to ciggarates i have not wanted to give this one up. I pleaded with God Please just let me have this one thing. Now i'm realizing that i was more dependent on nicotine than i was on God. That my friends is completely backwards. Smoking had become my idol. The thing that i lust after most. That nicotine fix has such a hold on my life.
Have i had a ciggaratte since i got the message? That's a big NO, but the question thats brooding in my heart is this. Have I waited too late? I have all these thoughts going threw my head now. Am i too late to avoid this curse that comes from my disobedience? If so then all i can do is know that God will get glory from it.
I will continue to give glory to God in all that i do. I will continue to worship God in all i do, and I will continue to worship God in all that i do. Even if i haven't been able to avoid the curse that has plagued so many in my family. I will continue to give my all for God. I will not be double minded anymore. I will not allow the devil to get me down. I will not be pulled down by the devil anymore. If i haven't avoided it then so be it. I will continue to worship the lord all of the days that i have left on this earth.
Now i already know that there are going to be people that say God wouldn't do that! God is love and grace and mercy. Do me a favor and read your bible instead of listening to what everyone is telling you. Just read Exodus & Numbers and tell me how many times God said (Carl paraphrase here) "Moses get out of my way i'm gonna destroy them all and start over with you."
Numbers 26: 8-10 ( just one example)
8 The son of Pallu was Eliab, 9 and the sons of Eliab were Nemuel, Dathan and Abiram. The same Dathan and Abiram were the community officials who rebelled against Moses and Aaron and were among Korah’s followers when they rebelled against the LORD. 10 The earth opened its mouth and swallowed them along with Korah, whose followers died when the fire devoured the 250 men. And they served as a warning sign. 11 The line of Korah, however, did not die out.
I am confident in this God is a loving God and forgives all things. I pray that i have avoided this. If i have then Glory to God, If I haven't then Glory to God. In all things God will get the Glory!!!!
Romans 8:28
New International Version (NIV)
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.
Psalm 103
Of David. 1 Praise the LORD, my soul;all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2 Praise the LORD, my soul,
and forget not all his benefits—
3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
6 The LORD works righteousness
and justice for all the oppressed.
7 He made known his ways to Moses,
his deeds to the people of Israel:
8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.
9 He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;
10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
13 As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;
14 for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust.
15 The life of mortals is like grass,
they flourish like a flower of the field;
16 the wind blows over it and it is gone,
and its place remembers it no more.
17 But from everlasting to everlasting
the LORD’s love is with those who fear him,
and his righteousness with their children’s children—
18 with those who keep his covenant
and remember to obey his precepts.
19 The LORD has established his throne in heaven,
and his kingdom rules over all.
20 Praise the LORD, you his angels,
you mighty ones who do his bidding,
who obey his word.
21 Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts,
you his servants who do his will.
22 Praise the LORD, all his works
everywhere in his dominion.
Praise the LORD, my soul.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
The latest update
So yeah it has been forever since i've used this hasn't it... Well for those of you that are following here's whats new. Since my arrival in the Twin Cities things have been great.... I have grown so much in God it's amazing. I knew he had a plan, but i didn't know it was going to be anything like this.
First of all there is the family that i am renting from. You wanna talk about live by faith people? They're the very definition. Scott and Lleann have been such a help and support to me and there is nothing that i wouldn't do for them. They also have 2 daughters Victoria and Schaloan. These girl are such an encouragement to me. To see 2 teenagers that are going after God as strongly as they are is amazing. I am in awe of how much Christ knowledge that two people as young as them can have, and yes they are some goofs as well!!!
Then there is Brett. This guy has become my BIG little brother.... 5 years younger than me, but twice my size LOL. His thirst for God is amazing!!! Plus he's my worship buddy! We have a blast playing together in the Worship band at church as well as just sitting around the house and playing whatever we start playing.
Then all the great friends that i have met threw them and threw the church that we currently moved to!!! I have such a good time at Lighthouse!!! The people are so welcoming and its got that family feel that i love so much in a church!!! Well thats the short of it. I'll post some more pics at the bottom of this just so y'all can see how we do!!!
First of all there is the family that i am renting from. You wanna talk about live by faith people? They're the very definition. Scott and Lleann have been such a help and support to me and there is nothing that i wouldn't do for them. They also have 2 daughters Victoria and Schaloan. These girl are such an encouragement to me. To see 2 teenagers that are going after God as strongly as they are is amazing. I am in awe of how much Christ knowledge that two people as young as them can have, and yes they are some goofs as well!!!
Then there is Brett. This guy has become my BIG little brother.... 5 years younger than me, but twice my size LOL. His thirst for God is amazing!!! Plus he's my worship buddy! We have a blast playing together in the Worship band at church as well as just sitting around the house and playing whatever we start playing.
Then all the great friends that i have met threw them and threw the church that we currently moved to!!! I have such a good time at Lighthouse!!! The people are so welcoming and its got that family feel that i love so much in a church!!! Well thats the short of it. I'll post some more pics at the bottom of this just so y'all can see how we do!!!
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