Random Ramblings

Last night was the super bowl, Steelers vs the Packers, Packers won. If you have a facebook or watch tv or are social at all then you probably already know that. I went to a super bowl party at FBC (First Baptist Church) but I didn't come to watch the game. I go to Holston football games but that's mostly because I want to hang out and support my friends that are playing. I have no real passion for the sport. I came to hear an awesome speaker named Mark Estep, and he didn't disappoint. His message was titled being a champion for Christ, which was a little weird because I'm pretty sure that is what Liberty University says they strive to achieve in their students. I really enjoyed listening to his message even though it was mostly things I've heard a million times, things like salvation, and the fruits of the spirit, and praying for God to bring to our attention things in our lives that are displeasing to Him. I understand why he spent a lot of time on those things though because, well they're important and a lot of the people that we're there just came because they were invited by a friend to watch the super bowl and get free food, and some may have needed to hear that message. You can tell from reading my previous posts that I've been praying for direction from God in my life. For Him to lead me into what career He wants for me and what He wants me to do for Him. I had planned on going to LU this spring but I stressed out so much about it I ended up withdrawing my application. I'm just afraid of making a decision without being 100% sure it's of God, because I for one don't have the money to pay for something that I'm not supposed to do. I know that God provides for His people. I have been looking for a job for a while now that would work with my church schedule. Which means I would have to have monday evenings (bible college), wednesday evenings (church), friday evenings (bible study), and sundays (church) off. My family continuously told me that in this day and time that I wasn't going to find that and that I needed to stop worrying about my church schedule and just get a job. I told them that I had faith that God would send me a job that would work around church and He did. I had a feeling one day that I needed to text my friend Vinnie. We talked for a little bit and I ended up telling him about my job hunt, he proceeded to tell me that his place of employment (Home Depot) was hiring and that they would work around my schedule. I applied, went to the interview, got the job, and now I'm just waiting on the drug test to come back so I can start work. It was easy for me to trust Him in this situation but college is expensive and it's away from home with people I don't know. My fears are that I will be in debt for a long time, or its not really what God wants or that I will fail. As I was writing this I get a scholarship email wanting me to apply, go figure lol. Just, last night when Mark said the name of his message "Being a champion for Christ", Liberty popped into my head. I know that fear is not of the Lord but its really hard when most of your family is making a big deal about the money situation and wanting you to just go to VHCC (Virginia Highlands Community College), get a two year degree, get a job, get married, and have kids. You may think I'm joking or that that's very old fashioned but I'm not and it is, but that's my family for ya. But in my mind I feel as if God has something bigger planned for my life, something that I can do to glorify Him greatly and in all that I do. I guess all I can do is continue to pray and hopefully it will become clear soon.

In other news, my friend Aj drug me to this horrible church yesterday before we went to listen to Mark. I mean I guess to some people its an awesome church but it was no One Way Ministries. Her friend is the pastor there and had invited her and she didn't want to go alone, and that's how I got sucked into it. We got there at 6pm and the pastor didn't start preaching till fifteen till 7. Aj had already told him that we would have to leave early so hopefully no one was deeply offended when we left at 6:50. But to give a brief over view of this experience, everyone prayed out loud together, we sang hymns with no music, and when preaching did start, he screamed at us. I tried to get Aj to let me take him a microphone and explain that he no longer needed to scream but she objected. I'm honestly worried about the guys health. He screamed so much he turned red. But the odd thing about this whole situation is Aj and I never expected him to be a screaming preacher, he is so calm and quiet to talk to. I guess that proves the saying you can't judge a book by its cover. I appreciate my church and everyone in it so much more now though. I love OWM, I honestly don't think I could find another church that I feel so at home in. Its not like any other church I've ever been to, they are my family.

O! And an update on friday night CBS (College Bible Study), its awesome! : ) Its been said that its only lasting till the end of March but I think that so far its been very beneficial and attendance has been great so hopefully we will continue it beyond that point.

Well I guess I'm going to go try to find something to eat and read for a bit. Until next time! <3

-JB
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