Bright Lights

Watching the bright lights from and seeing the street lights glimmer

Are kind of like moments and memories that pass in an instant

In a second that bright light has passed and another is coming from the distance

While days clock seem to be getting slimmer and slimmer

Life is like the bright lights passing by, memories that make you laugh and moments that make you cry

Whether it be a hug, a smile, a laugh, or a cry

A moment where you had to stop and ask yourself why

Like the first love kisses, or the broken heart wishes

Have all come and passed and are no longer with us

Life is like the bright lights passing by, memories that make you laugh and moments that make you cry

As you come to a stop and the lights seem to stall

Remember to take in the moment all in all

The smile you see, the love that you feel, the joy of it all

Because the light will change from red to green

And that one instant is all that you would've seen

Life is like the bright lights passing by, memories that make you laugh and moments that make you cry

Wake up like every is day new to you

Enjoy the lights within each day, no matter where or with whom

And cherish the memories of the past that come to us

Because the bright lights are there for us not to relive them but remind us

Life is like the bright lights passing by, memories that make you laugh and moments that make you cry.

Remember the memoreis and lessons from yesterday. Cherish and grow in the moments of today, and have faith in what God has for tomorrow.

God Bless,

Andrew

Broken Lamp

I'm can be very critical of myself. I'm very good at finding things I can't do well. Also, I think I could write several pages of criticism I've received from others on how I pursue and act upon different areas of my life. I often times just want to ignore all of the criticism I receive from others. I do that I feel because I think I know myself better than they do, so who are they to tell me how I should be living my life as a follower of Jesus? If my goal is to be the best Christian I can be, and doing to it not for the praise I receive from others; I must say I am not doing the best job. The truth of the matter is, that if I am ignoring the criticism, I must also ignore the praise I receive from others as well. I can't lie, it makes me feel good when I hear people tell me that I give them inspiration, or that I am someone they look up to. Without a doubt I find myself feeling pretty good after hearing all that. “You the man Andrew”, I seem to tell myself that a lot.

That is is an area that I am really trying to work on. I say that because I should not feel like I am someone's inspiration. Jesus should be, and there are times where I get the credit, and do not pass it along to its rightful place. Truth be told I'm just a 21 year old kid trying to do right in this world. I'm just a broken lamp that shines no light. One thing I can always rely and trust on is that the sun will rise up and give me light. I need to remember its the Son that brings brightness, not my broken bulb. All the glory should go to the creator of the light, because in the end, what's a broken lamp without any light?

God Bless,

Andrew

Getting off the Bus

God finds amazing ways to humble me.

Last week, my flat iron broke. For me, that is tragic. I HAD to have another one before the following morning ;)
So, that night, after hanging out with my friends, I headed off to Walgreens to find me a hair straightener. No luck. Frustrated, I traveled across town to Wal-Mart (its about 12:30-1 in the morning at this point). I knew this would be a quick trip. No luck. With a mini mental breakdown in the aisle of Wal-Mart that doesn't have what I want. Fine, I could go another day without my beloved straightener. I would just wear my hair up the next day and borrow my mother's for the necessities. Done. Okay, leaving Wal-Mart empty-handed and even more frustrated. At this point, my only thought was going home and going to bed.

On my way out of the parking lot I noticed a large, black, charter bus with people getting off carrying luggage. My first thought was that someone's bus broke down and they were unloading to get on another one. But as I got closer, I realized what was really happening in the parking lot of Wal-Mart at almost 1 in the morning. Mexicans. Mexicans were getting off the bus grabbing their luggage. They were coming here, like many others, for work. They were getting off a bus in the parking lot of Wal-Mart in a foreign country that speaks a foreign language. Their courage alone humbled me.

What if....what if WE were that courageous. WE as Christians....what if WE were as courageous as those Mexicans getting off that bus into a new life. When I see something new or scary, I feel as though I should run. But that is not what we are called to do. We are called to go boldly. Those Mexicans were getting dropped off to provide a better life for themselves and their family. They chose that. What if you took a risk like that in your faith? How would that change you? They took a risk...they went boldly...they were courageous. Are you? Get off the bus.

Blessings,

Faith

Foreign Affairs

foreign (adj.)
    not familiar; strange
    in an abnormal place or position

Foreign is the best word I can possibly think of to describe my current situation. I truly feel like each day is a new, foreign matter to me. It's frightening, exhilarating, and downright interesting..

Ever since I can remember I have been a "crew leader" at my home church's Vacation Bible School. Bible School at my home church is a HUGE event. The Children's Minister has been nationally recognized for the huge, awesome Vacation Bible School that takes place at our church...100+ children attend and the entire church comes together to make it happen.
That being said, Tuesday begins my first ever Vacation Bible School as a leader. It's a foreign concept. Let me be the first to tell you, it's not easy. On top of that, I'm scared out of my mind. I DON'T KNOW HOW TO RUN A VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL?! I'm terrified that it will flop, the children will learn nothing, and I will feel like a complete failure. Thank goodness God is on my side.  Getting everything scheduled and planned and getting all the materials and remembering every little detail...its stressful. Today, I went to Wal-Mart and got pretty much everything I needed to successfully execute this Bible School. Guys, it's getting really really real. I am beyond excited about it!!!

Despite being stressed and scared out of my mind, I couldn't possibly love my job any more. How could it get any better? Part of my job is coloring and crafts...I get to bring out my inner child! Plus, I get to be surrounded by people that love the Lord, believe in me, encourage me, and love me. In addition to all of this greatness, I get to teach these wonderful children about the love and the peace and the grace of Jesus Christ. Nothing could be better.

Last week at church, another foreign matter...I began taking a more active role during the Sunday morning church service. Announcements, call to worship, and coming soon...communion. When my preacher began telling me all the things he wanted me to take part in, I remember saying, "You do know I'm only 18, right?" The trust my new church has in my is unbelievable. Each week, each task is new...its foreign.

Also, within two weeks I say goodbye to two of my greatest mentors. Scary. Foreign. I'm not quite sure what I'm going to do at the church without Christy Jo to guide me..? I swear I'm going to be like a lost puppy for at least the first month.

We can't forget about beginning college, either. Yeah, I'd like to forget about it though... (Speaking of which, I have all my classes on Tuesday/Thursday...I'm pretty excited about that.)

Foreign to me is a lot like "change". Its new, its scary, but its worth it. God takes us on these crazy, amazing rides. I've learned more about myself, my faith, and my future in these last few, hectic, scary, exciting months than ever before. I've even come up with a new "motto" about it...."If you're doing something for God and aren't absolutely terrified, you are probably doing it wrong."

Blessings,

Faith