Change

I've heard it said that the only constant in this earthly life is change(other than death and over taxation). Over the past few days, a few things have become quite apparent to me. I've prayed and listened more and talked less. I need to do more in the service of others. This is where my change starts for 2017. 

I will be looking to work with the public again. I want to be more involved in my church's soul winning ministry. I want to be able to share my faith more effectively. I want to become a better listener. I want to make sure I'm there for my friends when they need me. I also want be a better witness. I need to let God lead, both through prayer and reading His word. 

Last year at this time, I was so wrapped up in campaign mode, I couldn't even squeeze anything else in my schedule or in my thought process. Until early May, I lived and breathed campaigning. It was fun. I was with like minded people everyday working for a goal. After that all blew up in early May, I tried to fill that time with other pursuits. Working for work's sake had become dreary. I didn't feel I was doing what God wanted me to do. Until last night, I have been in a rut for several months. 

Last night, during my prayer time, a wave of peace came over me. I just need to put my head down and serve others. I need to let go and choose not to let negative people who don't follow God bring me down. If I've given them the Gospel and it still doesn't matter to them, I'll continue to pray, but I can't let their unwillingness to change cause me to have a bad testimony. I believe God is telling me it is OK to let go. This doesn't mean I quit loving these people, but it does mean that I need to let my burden for them go. God will work on them and it's up to them to surrender to Him. Instead of living in fear of what I couldn't do or couldn't have, I must be grateful for what I do have and continue to serve Him.

The other thing I continue to work on is showing gratitude and love to my friends, my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. One specific couple has been there for me over the last few months when I felt I could turn to no one else. I need to be there for them in this coming year. They are in my prayers.(They know who they are.) I also need to make sure I support my other friends as they leave for their upcoming tour. They've done so much for the cause of Christ and I pray they continue to do so. They've shown me how to live and I love them for it. I also need to continue to pray for my pastor. He's a good man with a good family leading a great body of believers. 

Over the next few weeks, I will be looking at what I can do in 2017 to live like I should. I need to let anger and frustration go. I need to let God lead. I am willing to surrender to Him and get my own aspirations out of the way. Thanks for letting me bend your ear, so to speak.

The above quote has resonated with me for the last few months. I need to do more. I need to be better to people who don't know me and to people who do. I look forward to what God will bring in 2017.

Blessings

With the craziness of this presidential campaign almost totally behind me (the 2020 campaign starts in just a few months), I have had a chance to evaluate the blessings in my life. In the past, I didn't pause to do this. I was looking forward to see what was next and I didn't stop to give thanks for what I had. Now, I give thanks everyday.

I must thank God for blessing me with each and every day. I don't think most Americans stop to do this every day. I know I didn't do this for the longest time. For that, I ask God's forgiveness. I should never look past the gift of life and all that is included in that.

I give thanks for the people God has placed in my life. I used to think that I was better off being on my own and not having to worry about anyone else. I was so wrong. After my experiences of the past 9 months, I have come to the realization that we all need a group of people to call on when we have a need, whether that need is just a need for someone to talk to or a need for someone to pray for you. I can attest to the power of prayer because I have seen prayer work in my life and knowing that there are people praying for you is a powerful reminder of God's goodness and His grace through His Son.

A few people come to the forefront in my mind. One is my pastor. Joseph Brown has been a blessing to me. His counsel has meant a great deal to me. His preaching has changed my life. Too many churches are legalistic and don't welcome every sinner through the door. Joseph is not that man. He wants to share the Good News, so that no man may perish. Another is Marlin Bontrager. I had never had an actual male role model growing up. Marlin is that role model for me now. He is a good father and a good witness for Jesus and biblical values. I'm glad I can call both of these men my friends. I must also acknowledge Allison Bontrager. All of her siblings mean a great deal to me, but it has been Allison who has been there at God appointed moments to offer a word of encouragement or a kernel of wisdom. She has a strong personality that rises above the muck and mire of today's self centered culture. She has a servant's heart for God and she serves as a light to other young women. When my confidence in the Lord could have been shaken, she acted as a clarion call to turn and seek God's face, and for that, I am eternally grateful. I also want to acknowledge a few more church members. Wilson Leppert has become a good friend and someone whom I can bounce ideas off of. We share similar outlooks on life and he is a good guy to talk to. Pete Schaeffer has been a light, as well. He is another man whom I can look up to(or down, if we're talking about height. I had to go there, Pete.) He is always ready to make someone laugh and I need that. He and his wife are bedrocks in the foundation of Marion Avenue Baptist Church. I don't think anyone at church is more synonymous with Marion Avenue(outside of the Brown family) than Pete. Just ask any one of the thousands of people every year who attend the Live Animal Christmas Play.

I am blessed to be in a church that is active in evangelism and outreach. I am so thankful and blessed to be a part of something that is much greater than me.

Lastly, I want to thank my mom from putting up with me for so long. I know I was a pain, from time to time. She endured so much for my sister and me. She didn't have the greatest example of a mother to draw from and yet, she has done her best in raising my sister and me. My mom has been a blessing, even if she worries too much(trust God and you won't need to worry, mom).

In closing, I want to leave you with a quote from one of the people I acknowledged above, "Don't forget to put on the armor of God every day (Eph. 6). And remember, it is not about being strong. God wants to be strong through us when we are weak. And if you don't feel equipped for what He is calling you to do, "He doesn't call the equipped, He equips the call." Go to Him in prayer and fasting when the way is dark and He will illuminate your path. One more thing- we serve a Savior who loves us at our worst. He breaks us to re make us- a more whole vessel than before." All I'll say to that is, Amen.

Reflections

I woke up this morning with a pit in my stomach for my country. On the other hand, I'm more energized for God than at any time in my life. You might ask how I can feel both ways, simultaneously. It's a good question.
I spent yesterday knocking on doors in Georgia for Ted Cruz with great people. Allison Bontrager almost made me spit my iced tea all over my dashboard with one text message(inside baseball). I then spent the evening with my friends and a family that they were staying with outside of Milledgeville, Georgia. For just a while, I forgot politics. We laughed. I saw kids playing and having fun. We all shared a meal together. I saw God living through so many people. It's people like these that I feel called to serve.
I'm becoming more convinced everyday that what America needs, more than a different president or political party in power, is a different outlook. We need to get back to being neighbors. We need to get back to showing concern for the actual spiritual well being of others. When I spend time in the company of good and loving people, I see what we should be turning toward.
We must seek God's face. As Christians, we must stop only asking for His hand when we need assistance. This has not failed me since coming back to a walk with God, that when I pray and seek His face, my path is illuminated and my burden is lessened.
I spoke out of emotion and a bit of anger last night regarding a few recent experiences and when Chelsy said something to me about it, I stopped and reflected. She was right. Everyone has worth, just some of us are lost and need direction. Either we get our direction from the world and continue to be lost or we get it from knowing Jesus. There are only those two paths.
No matter what happens in this election cycle, I have been profoundly impacted by who I've met and what I've learned. I won't stop fighting for what I believe. Only now, this belief is grounded in a faith that has brought a peace to my heart. This peace has also allowed me to be unafraid to speak the truth when people are perpetuating a false narrative. I call for all people to be fearless when speaking truth to power. Do not change your message to suit your audience.
I ask you to join me in praying for our country and for one another. We need to find our way back.