A New Year Cometh

2010 is in it's final days. It's always weird to think back on the year and all the things that happened, both good and bad. This year especially, because there was a lot more bad than good. If you're one of the few people that read this, you probably already know all that I have been through this year. It was rough. Yet when I think about the person that I was at the beginning of the year, and the person that I am now, I can't believe the changes that I see. I feel like a completely different person. The events of this past year have given me no choice but to grow stronger, both emotionally and spiritually. God is preparing me for the upcoming year, and for the rest of my life. In a weird way, I'm thankful for 2010 for helping me to begin changing myself into the man that God knows that I can become. 1 Corinthians 13:11 says "When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me." God is helping me to become a man and put my old childish ways behind me. I love the person that I'm becoming. God is amazing.

Eternally His,

Andrew

Christmas Break

Well, very quickly, another semester has come and gone. Every semester seems to go by faster and faster. I finished very strong, and although I BARELY need to retake a class (1% away from not having to retake it!) I am proud of myself. I had a rough semester. To start things off, I was dealing with a breakup that was weighing VERY heavily on my heart. Then things got very rough with my sisters and just the whole family overall. It definitely threw me for a loop, and my school work started to suffer for it. But you know what, I turned things around. Might have been too little too late, but whatever.

Things at Church lately have been amazing. I had a great time at the Flood College Community Group's Christmas party. It was a great time just to be able to hang out with my church family, and experience the community that God wants for all of us. Matt has started a new sermon that I think is going to be amazing. It covers Isaiah 9:6, where the prophet Isaiah tells of a child that is to be born (Jesus), who will be called "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Our Lord is ALL of these things for us, whether we realize it or not. Are you able to come to Him and see Him for all of these things? Our Lord is fighting for us, constantly. Really think about that. Reflect on all of these names that our Lord is called. How is He these things in your life? Because whether or not you really realize it, He is all of them.

I was listening to Something Like Silas tonight, and one of my favorite songs of theirs came up (Words that you Say). Some of their lyrics really spoke to me, and they're posted below.

Can I be an instrument of praise,

And here pursue your heart,

So my life will tell of who you are.

Can I be a channel of your love?

A reflection of your light,

And live to bring you praise

And serve you Lord.

I know that I am far from it, but I yearn to be an instrument of praise, and a channel of His love. I want people to be able to look at my life, and see the love of God pouring out through my actions.

Eternally His,

Andrew