What do I do?

I've been having a hard time lately trying to find a good middle ground between telling people that I think what they're doing is wrong by christian standards, and coming off as judging them. I'm not really sure how to handle it yet. Any ideas?

And so this is christmas

Well, Its crazy how much you appreciate your school when you have to come home for so long.

I don't like it here anymore. I mean, friends are great, and I've even gotten closer to a few friends here these past weeks, but I really want to go back.

My father doesn't really talk to me anymore. Maybe its because I'm different than the rest. My brothers are both very sporty, my older brother isn't really into the whole Christian thing, but since he is engaged and living with his girlfriend, my dad likes him a lot right now. My younger brother gets a lot of attention now that I am out of the house. But, I think its because I'm not afraid to express my opinions and views even if he doesn't share it.

Like when I was coming home from school, I had asked to not have the whole family come get me because I had a lot of stuff, but they did anyways, and he thought it was inconsiderate of me. The same day we stopped at Big Boy (yum?) and my dad got angry because I had a different view on tipping waiters than he. (I'm slightly nicer than he is). I feel alone here. I don't like all of the rules, all of the expectations, I just want to be myself.

Its Christmas, and my father doesn't even seem to mind if I'm there or not, but it has been a good one.
I'm not worried though. I know God is in control, and keeping watch on this whole thing, that is why I'm not freaking out, but if you could pray that would be lovely.

We've never been close, but its never been like this.

Why

I sit and wonder why some people are here.

Do they know what they're getting into?
Why are there people here that don't want to be here.

Person 1: "I was just talking about working at spring hill this summer, and we were wondering if you were"

Person 2: "Heck no, I make out with one chick there and they keep tabs on my for the whole semester"

It infuriates me to hear people, that go here, one of the purest places ever, and the CHOOSE to go here, and they act like that. Its really sad for me to hear that people like that are here.



My second thought is how can I help them. How can I push aside the anger and help them.


How?
Just some quick verses from the book of "I'm going to throw stuff you need to hear right in your face because you really need to hear it". . . I mean James

"Anyone who sets himself up as "religious" by talking a good game is self-deceived. This kind of religion is hot air and only hot air. Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world."
26-27

but...

Post this at all the intersections, dear friends: Lead with your ears, follow up with your tongue, and let anger straggle along in the rear. God's righteousness doesn't grow from human anger. So throw all spoiled virtue and cancerous evil in the garbage. In simple humility, let our gardener, God, landscape you with the Word, making a salvation-garden of your life.
19-21

Maybe I should act out my faith by listening.


This Christian stuff is really hard.


I think I'm ready.

For me,

Worship is seeing other people worshiping.
Seeing the love of Jesus pouring into other peoples souls.
It makes me feel happy inside.


To me, worship is healthy, Christ centered friendships.
Seeing people strive to keep those friendships alive
also makes me feel happy inside.

I've been learning that worship is all around us.
There isn't one way to worship,



and I think that is just really super great.

Trust

I've had a lot of things come up lately about trust in God, and here is the thing.
If you have trust in the Lord, you're set.
There it is. But the thing is, do you really have trust in God or are you blindsided?

How do you know?
Are you feeling trusted? human trust can only go so far.
I guess I'm still seeking to find this answer.

I've had a lot of things also come up lately (and even with me personally) where people have felt spiritually drained, like they don't have anything to offer, or that they're too exhausted to work to offer something, but as I've learned in the last couple of days, it is so worth it.

You know the verse in Jeremiah, right? 29:11?

"For I know the plans I have for you....."
The thing about popular verses like this, is that no one ever thinks to read on, well I learned this from the devo in choir today. Here is the verse, along with verse 12:

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you."

I will listen to you. How many people do you know that can give you a future? How many people do you know that will actually sit down, and listen to you? It is really rare these days. Fortunetly, I've found some, and am so grateful that they can listen, and happy in knowing I can do the same for them, but only God can give you a future. I'm not saying that God can't work through other people to show you the way to your future, but God is involved in some way or another.

I guess what I'm saying is if you have struggles, if you feel spiritually drained, or exhausted, call upon the Lord. He will listen, he will show you the answers, maybe in some weird twisted way...he likes to switch it up every once in awhile...

He is a very creative God.
So thank you, to those who listen, to those who strive everyday to be good examples for Christ. Thank you PA and RA for being the best ever, and thank you Lord for everything.

Can I get an AMEN?!


I love you!

Crying Out to You

forgiveness is freedom
forgiveness is freedom
forgiveness is freedom
forgiveness is freedom
forgiveness is freedom
forgiveness is freedom

And I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
A glorious light beyond all compare
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
We'll live to know You here on the earth


Remember, that our Lord will never let go of you.


God is doing amazing things in my life right now, and I'm so lucky to have and amazing God that would do this for me. I love him so much.
Remember, that God forgave our sins, and made us free.
How?
My our Lord dying on the cross. But guess what?
Everlasting, His light will shine when all else fails.
Never ending, His glory goes beyond all things.

We are free, because we were forgiven.

Consume us, Lord. From the Inside Out, Lord, MY SOUL CRIES OUT!
Lord, I give you control.

I love you guys. I'm praying.

-Marc

Life
is
changing

and
I
LOVE
it.

Its so nice just to live everyday just chilling, and taking in all of the new things that go on here. I have not had weeks where I'm not constantly doing something in YEARS! It is so amazing. God is being so awesome in my life right now.

This is a short one, but It has a challenge.
Compliment someone. It will make their day, then have them pass it on.

IMAGINE HOW MANY LIVES WE CAN IMPACT!

I love you.

Its Amazing

how just a compliment from a friend can mean so much in a day.
Today I got a few, and It was a good day.

I got a phone call from a friend back home, and he just called because he missed me. To know that someone is there, and actually tells you is so awesome.
I know I have a lot of friends that are there for me, but sometimes its nice to hear it, ya know?

I've found so many amazing people here, and I want to get involved. I want to do chapel band, I want to do drama stuff, I want to lead, and change lives, and I feel like this is the place to do it.

I've been thinking and praying about Wellspring. Its a summer band here that goes around different summer camps and provides worship. That sounds awesome.

So anyways, what I wanted to say is I challenge you to tell the people you care about that you care about them. It will make their day a whole lot better. I promise you.

Today, I dealt with a lot of rudeness.

It sucks. I don't understand how people can be rude. Does it give them enjoyment? Do they not notice they're doing it?
We're called to love. Love everyone, even the people we don't like. Remember what Paul said to the Corinthians?

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."

There is no room for it.
period.

It takes years to get those friendships that you know will last forever.
At least that is what I thought.

So I'm sitting here, in my dorm room at 11:44 pm, writing my first blog ever, and I cannot stop thinking about the amazing things God is doing.

I have a best friend in Mexico doing missions for an awesome cause. Who gives me strength and teaching just through a blog
I have a ton of friends in college doing what they love and having a great time.
I have all of those other friends, still stuck in high school, but having a good time I think.
And I have those new friends, keeping me uplifted from day to day in this new life I've started a little over a week ago.


I friggen love this place. I love everything about it. I love how everyone says hi to you on the way to class, I love how I can be open about my love for God, and realize that everyone here is here for that same reason, I love how I can become the person I want to be because no one knows what I was. I can start fresh, and most of all, I love the relationships gained through just a short week at this amazing school.

I love how I can walk out in the hall, and see people with a smile on their face. Even in the morning. I love how I can walk into anyones room and just talk or be crazy with them. I love the innocence and the love for God that dwells around this place, and I love how God moves people here, whether it be from chapel or from something else that I would totally not expect it to come from.

I seriously have met some of the most amazing people I could ever meet here. They are my rock at this school, and I can't imagine a day here without them.
In just a short week here, I've seen a change in my additude. I've happy all the time. I'm not the go-to guy anymore (at least not yet), but I'm just like everyone else. No drama (yet). I'm happy in the mornings, i'm happy in the afternoon, and i'm really happy in the evenings. Even when i'm exhausted. Sad is not a part of my mood anymore, and its awesome.



Yeah, sure, I miss all of those amazing human beings that have gone separate ways. I miss them more than ever, but I know they're being taken care of, and if not I hope they know they can call me anytime.

So, this is my first blog. I think this is the start of something amazing.


Praise God.