Today, I received a gift from a total stranger. That gift was the NIV Student Bible from Zondervan.
I had asked a question on Yahoo Answers asking if there were any sites offering free Bibles. And David, a total stranger, told me he would mail me a Bible. So very cautiously, I emailed him my name and my address, praying I didn't make a grave mistake.
2 days later, the Bible showed up in my mailbox, with a personalized letter AND the Bible itself had my name put on it. Hands down, this is the best gift I have ever received from a stranger.
When I looked at the Bible, I thought "This must be an expensive Bible!" Still, God used someone to give a gracious, loving gift. David had no clue who I was, and gave me one of the best gifts you could ever get: The word and the love of God.
God put us here to worship him. He put us here to witness. That includes loving your neighbor as yourself and giving loving gifts, even to people you don't know at all. David just happened to be one of those loving people. He has truly made my day. I pray that he continues to do this, and I pray that God will bless him and give him his reward on that final day.
I will forever keep the letter and the Bible, for I want it to be a memory. I also want it to be a lesson that God has taught me: "Love your neighbor as yourself and give loving gifts, even to those whom you do not know."
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Friday, November 14, 2008
From Baptism to United Methodism
I have had several people asking me why I changed my faith. I say to them "Huh?!" They respond by stating "Well, you went from a Baptist church to a United Methodist church!"
That does not mean that I changed my faith. That means I renewed it in the Lord Jesus Christ and He has guided me to a better place. BUT, the church is not a building; it is the people who gathered together in the Body of Christ.
Quite a few people have asked why I go to another church. There a several reasons why. One is that my church (Faith United Methodist) is a very relaxed, and an open church. This is what the people of the United Methodist Church are:
-Open to different views... OPEN MINDS
-Welcoming of ALL (LGBTQ or Straight, Black or White, Couples or Singles, etc.)... OPEN HEARTS
-You are free to walk in as who you are. You are free to worship your savior, your maker, and His Holy Spirit... OPEN DOORS
-We are the people of God and His Church... THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED METODIST CHURCH
I never changed my faith, but renewed it. See my last post "Forged In Flame..." I stand and welcome all views and I stand an welcome all people without trying to change their views and ways. This is the Godly, Christian way. This is what a church must be, in order to be the Body of Christ and a temple for the Holy Spirit.
OPEN HEARTS... OPEN MINDS... OPEN DOORS... THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
That does not mean that I changed my faith. That means I renewed it in the Lord Jesus Christ and He has guided me to a better place. BUT, the church is not a building; it is the people who gathered together in the Body of Christ.
Quite a few people have asked why I go to another church. There a several reasons why. One is that my church (Faith United Methodist) is a very relaxed, and an open church. This is what the people of the United Methodist Church are:
-Open to different views... OPEN MINDS
-Welcoming of ALL (LGBTQ or Straight, Black or White, Couples or Singles, etc.)... OPEN HEARTS
-You are free to walk in as who you are. You are free to worship your savior, your maker, and His Holy Spirit... OPEN DOORS
-We are the people of God and His Church... THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED METODIST CHURCH
I never changed my faith, but renewed it. See my last post "Forged In Flame..." I stand and welcome all views and I stand an welcome all people without trying to change their views and ways. This is the Godly, Christian way. This is what a church must be, in order to be the Body of Christ and a temple for the Holy Spirit.
OPEN HEARTS... OPEN MINDS... OPEN DOORS... THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Forged In Flame...
I was little boy that was deeply into Pokemon and Tom and Jerry, and even Scooby-Doo. Now that's a typical little 5-6 year old boy. Wouldn't you think?
Yes, I'm still a minor to the law. I'm only 16. However, it is normal for a typical 16-17 year old to start getting their own views on life and their own religious views. Some teen drop away from religion. Some still go to the same church as their parents. Some go to a different church but same denomination. I am going to a different church with a different denomination.
I was raised (in childhood) as a Southern Baptist Christian. But starting in my teen years, I started to draw away from the Southern Baptist Church. I thought I was losing interest in going to church, and maybe even God.
Not true! I found that I was being called to a better place and better church. Even a better denomination... UNITED METHODIST.
My parents are struggling with that little boy image they hold so tight. Any parent has that issue. But I'm not that little boy anymore. I'm a young man who's only a couple years away from actually making my own decisions.
Religion is a big part of my life! Since I started going to the United Methodist church, I been wanting to spend the biggest majority of my weekend at church. I'm extremely involved!
Not only has my move into Champaign been a big help for the family, but it's been a big help for me personally. I get my support from my school and GSA, plus I'm able to go to church almost anytime I feel like it! This has brought me to a closer relationship with God!
The cross and the flame you see on signs of the United Methodist churches: the flame means the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit keeps guiding me, and guiding me now more than ever. With this, I have been forged in flame and born again in Jesus Christ. I live in and for Him, and I dwell in His house forever.
Yes, I'm still a minor to the law. I'm only 16. However, it is normal for a typical 16-17 year old to start getting their own views on life and their own religious views. Some teen drop away from religion. Some still go to the same church as their parents. Some go to a different church but same denomination. I am going to a different church with a different denomination.
I was raised (in childhood) as a Southern Baptist Christian. But starting in my teen years, I started to draw away from the Southern Baptist Church. I thought I was losing interest in going to church, and maybe even God.
Not true! I found that I was being called to a better place and better church. Even a better denomination... UNITED METHODIST.
My parents are struggling with that little boy image they hold so tight. Any parent has that issue. But I'm not that little boy anymore. I'm a young man who's only a couple years away from actually making my own decisions.
Religion is a big part of my life! Since I started going to the United Methodist church, I been wanting to spend the biggest majority of my weekend at church. I'm extremely involved!
Not only has my move into Champaign been a big help for the family, but it's been a big help for me personally. I get my support from my school and GSA, plus I'm able to go to church almost anytime I feel like it! This has brought me to a closer relationship with God!
The cross and the flame you see on signs of the United Methodist churches: the flame means the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit keeps guiding me, and guiding me now more than ever. With this, I have been forged in flame and born again in Jesus Christ. I live in and for Him, and I dwell in His house forever.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
The Art of Me
My primary pastor: Brad, of my church, gave a sermon called the Art Of Me. He states that we are like lego people.
To me, we are lego people. God made us. And everytime we sin, some of our lego fall off our structure. Jesus died so he could restore us back to our "brand new factory" condition. He takes the legos that have fallen off, and puts them back to the place they belong (and yes, Brad, I'm still carrying that lego block in my pocket!). Read Isaiah 1:18.
God made us as we are. Before our time began, our lives were in His hands. Read Isaiah 45:12.
I pray when things are going wrong. That's how I've managed to escape suicide temptation, and other bad things. I trust Him when to answer me and any will of His. Read 1 Chronicles 5:20.
It is true that God doesn't cause all things to happen. Even when things are out of our control. When you are overloaded, bent out of shape, your lego structure starts to callapse: PRAY! God will restore you to that "brand new factory" condition.
To me, we are lego people. God made us. And everytime we sin, some of our lego fall off our structure. Jesus died so he could restore us back to our "brand new factory" condition. He takes the legos that have fallen off, and puts them back to the place they belong (and yes, Brad, I'm still carrying that lego block in my pocket!). Read Isaiah 1:18.
God made us as we are. Before our time began, our lives were in His hands. Read Isaiah 45:12.
I pray when things are going wrong. That's how I've managed to escape suicide temptation, and other bad things. I trust Him when to answer me and any will of His. Read 1 Chronicles 5:20.
It is true that God doesn't cause all things to happen. Even when things are out of our control. When you are overloaded, bent out of shape, your lego structure starts to callapse: PRAY! God will restore you to that "brand new factory" condition.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Like Jesus: Damnation Before Acceptance...
Feel alone? Feel scared or rejected? Remember this: you are NOT alone.
Jesus was rejected. He was human, but fully devine. He was an innocent man, yet He was crucified. He became sinned who knew no sin... all that we might become His righteousness.
The same thing happens in life today. When my family found out I was gay, they were not accepting of it. Things were that way for over a year. Then, with the grace of God, the family has been educated, and they now accept me for who I am, and not who they think I should be.
Yes, my family still believes homosexuality is a sin. BUT, they accept me and understand that I believe different and that I have a different view on life (Just like they are Southern Baptists and I am a United Methodist!).
My family is like a doughnut. When you look at it, we look like a doughtnut, with a nice-size bite taken out of it. I was the piece that was bitten off, and the family was the remaining part of the doughnut! Now isn't that funny and wierd?
Like Jesus, I was damned; then I was widely accepted by my friends and family. This was a valueable lesson for me. I hope it is for you. In life, you are damned before you are accepted.
So if you feel like letting go of this life (like I did before), just HOLD ON EVEN TIGHTER! Because it will get better sometime. In life, you are damned before you are accepted.
Jesus was rejected. He was human, but fully devine. He was an innocent man, yet He was crucified. He became sinned who knew no sin... all that we might become His righteousness.
The same thing happens in life today. When my family found out I was gay, they were not accepting of it. Things were that way for over a year. Then, with the grace of God, the family has been educated, and they now accept me for who I am, and not who they think I should be.
Yes, my family still believes homosexuality is a sin. BUT, they accept me and understand that I believe different and that I have a different view on life (Just like they are Southern Baptists and I am a United Methodist!).
My family is like a doughnut. When you look at it, we look like a doughtnut, with a nice-size bite taken out of it. I was the piece that was bitten off, and the family was the remaining part of the doughnut! Now isn't that funny and wierd?
Like Jesus, I was damned; then I was widely accepted by my friends and family. This was a valueable lesson for me. I hope it is for you. In life, you are damned before you are accepted.
So if you feel like letting go of this life (like I did before), just HOLD ON EVEN TIGHTER! Because it will get better sometime. In life, you are damned before you are accepted.
Monday, November 10, 2008
The Power of Prayer...
So many people think that prayer doesn't work. God is all-knowing, so He knows what's best for you. He answers all prayers: but since He knows what's best, sometimes the answer is yes or no, and sometimes He tells us to wait.
When I was a baby, I almost died. My mother almost died. But because of prayer, we are both alive. My friend, Tina Cowsert, had breast cancer (or so we thought), and the doctors told her wrong (she does NOT have breast cancer). That was because of prayer. I kept asking for God's guidance, and getting the family to accept me as a gay guy (even if they didn't believe what I did, that they accept me and accept that I believe different). The family did accept me in the long run. That was because of prayer.
God knows what's happening. He is not ingnoring you. He knows what's best! For if you trust Him with all your heart, he will answer you (1 Chronicles 5:20).
When you trust Him, that's called faith. And we, as Christians, should live by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7).
Prayer works. God works. God listens and answers. God has FAITH in you. Do you have the heart and the FAITH for him?
When things go wrong, don't blame anyone, but pray. Faith is the foundation of prayer. Prayer is like making a telephone call, and guess who's gonna answer the phone: God.
When I was a baby, I almost died. My mother almost died. But because of prayer, we are both alive. My friend, Tina Cowsert, had breast cancer (or so we thought), and the doctors told her wrong (she does NOT have breast cancer). That was because of prayer. I kept asking for God's guidance, and getting the family to accept me as a gay guy (even if they didn't believe what I did, that they accept me and accept that I believe different). The family did accept me in the long run. That was because of prayer.
God knows what's happening. He is not ingnoring you. He knows what's best! For if you trust Him with all your heart, he will answer you (1 Chronicles 5:20).
When you trust Him, that's called faith. And we, as Christians, should live by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7).
Prayer works. God works. God listens and answers. God has FAITH in you. Do you have the heart and the FAITH for him?
When things go wrong, don't blame anyone, but pray. Faith is the foundation of prayer. Prayer is like making a telephone call, and guess who's gonna answer the phone: God.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Learning How To Say "I Love You" and Mean It
The night of November 6th, 2008, my parents and I have had a long discussion. Everybody was concerned that I might try to hurt or kill myself in some way. There had been moments when I thought so myself. But after them finding out, home life began to change. I had even signed a contract and vowed to never harm myself.
The family would not accept my homosexuality. I don't think they will ever agree with it, but I do think that they will come to terms and realize that being gay is just PART of me. I am a teen. I am a rock music fanatic. I am gay. I am NOT a gay, rock music-fanatic teen, but I AM a teenager that loves rock music who is gay. They will most likely always believe homosexuality is a sin. But they are beginning to break through the barrier and seeing that I believe different, and that I have different view on life. If they are coming to terms, they will see and they will love me for me, regardless of our different opinions.
Tonight (November 7th, 2008), my family will see my psychologist. They are getting help, as I am too. With tears of sorrow and tears of joy, my family has been learning how to say "I love you." They are forgetting how to say "I love you, but..." and they are learning how to say "I love you, period."
The family would not accept my homosexuality. I don't think they will ever agree with it, but I do think that they will come to terms and realize that being gay is just PART of me. I am a teen. I am a rock music fanatic. I am gay. I am NOT a gay, rock music-fanatic teen, but I AM a teenager that loves rock music who is gay. They will most likely always believe homosexuality is a sin. But they are beginning to break through the barrier and seeing that I believe different, and that I have different view on life. If they are coming to terms, they will see and they will love me for me, regardless of our different opinions.
Tonight (November 7th, 2008), my family will see my psychologist. They are getting help, as I am too. With tears of sorrow and tears of joy, my family has been learning how to say "I love you." They are forgetting how to say "I love you, but..." and they are learning how to say "I love you, period."
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
A Song, My Meaning, My Story
Creed has a song from their album Human Clay called "Wash Away Those Years" and it really relates to me and my life. This blog is very deep and strong, and some inputs may end up making you cry...
I will first put down all the lyrics. Then I will explain them.
"Wash Away Those Years"
She came calling
One early morning
She showed her crown of thorns
She whispered softly
To tell a story
About how she had been wronged
As she lay lifeless
He stole her innocence
And this is how she carried on
This is how she carried on
Well I guess she closed her eyes
And just imagined everything's alright
But she could not hide her tears
'Cause they were sent to wash away those years
They were sent to wash away those years
My anger's violent
But still I'm silent
When tragedy strikes at home
I know this decadence
Is shared by millions
Remember you're not alone
Remember you're not alone
For we have crossed many oceans
And we labor in between
In life there are many quotients
And I hope I find the mean
===============================
I have been through both heaven and hell at home. I just can't get anybody at home to actually listen. Because of that, when I'm at home, I'm trapped in my own closet. Unable to speak... I try and all I get in return is yelling and screaming and CRUEL ANGER!!! Because of this, when something bothers me, I'm frightened to speak out. [cries] Sometimes, home life is Hell.
When I'm at school with my friends or in my Gay-Straight Alliance club, I fit in... I belong. There, I'm accepted for who I am. My friends don't try to make a straight out of me or throw Bible verses in my face. I wish, I cry, that my family was the same.
I'm not looking for understanding from my family, but acceptance. Life goes on. They can believe the way they do. I love my family so much, I just can't leave. But neither can I stay silent anymore. I'm speaking out, and need my voice to be heard. The world hears my voice. But the people that really matter, the ones closest to me DENY. Most of you don't know what its like to be rejected from your family.
The part of the song that says "I know this decadence is shared by millions. Remember you're not alone." really speaks to me. I know that I am not the only one with this problem. I know that I am not alone...
I will first put down all the lyrics. Then I will explain them.
"Wash Away Those Years"
She came calling
One early morning
She showed her crown of thorns
She whispered softly
To tell a story
About how she had been wronged
As she lay lifeless
He stole her innocence
And this is how she carried on
This is how she carried on
Well I guess she closed her eyes
And just imagined everything's alright
But she could not hide her tears
'Cause they were sent to wash away those years
They were sent to wash away those years
My anger's violent
But still I'm silent
When tragedy strikes at home
I know this decadence
Is shared by millions
Remember you're not alone
Remember you're not alone
For we have crossed many oceans
And we labor in between
In life there are many quotients
And I hope I find the mean
===============================
I have been through both heaven and hell at home. I just can't get anybody at home to actually listen. Because of that, when I'm at home, I'm trapped in my own closet. Unable to speak... I try and all I get in return is yelling and screaming and CRUEL ANGER!!! Because of this, when something bothers me, I'm frightened to speak out. [cries] Sometimes, home life is Hell.
When I'm at school with my friends or in my Gay-Straight Alliance club, I fit in... I belong. There, I'm accepted for who I am. My friends don't try to make a straight out of me or throw Bible verses in my face. I wish, I cry, that my family was the same.
I'm not looking for understanding from my family, but acceptance. Life goes on. They can believe the way they do. I love my family so much, I just can't leave. But neither can I stay silent anymore. I'm speaking out, and need my voice to be heard. The world hears my voice. But the people that really matter, the ones closest to me DENY. Most of you don't know what its like to be rejected from your family.
The part of the song that says "I know this decadence is shared by millions. Remember you're not alone." really speaks to me. I know that I am not the only one with this problem. I know that I am not alone...
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