Anticipation//

Ever had one of those moments where your just too excited to do ANYTHING but be excited?! I just now had one of those moments. I was just sent a few of the final mixes off my upcoming "ONE" EP! Um, can you say GREAT DAY? I'm just so excited. I cant believe how this is all coming together.

For those of you who dont know, I am going to Germany this summer to serve alongside missionary Aaron Alexander (my very first youth pastor!) through an organization called Students For Christ in Berlin. We will be working with University students, sharing Christ, showing love. Additionally, we will be helping local church, RESET. I'm going for a month to serve in whatever way I can. Small groups, bible studies, loving people in the city, worship, or even just babysitting Aaron's kids. WHATEVER I can do. When I considered going about 6 months ago, the Lord put on my heart to use my music to get me there. I didnt really know how I'd do that. But then, after some prayer I knew he was calling me to use my original music, my voice, my guitar, and record and sell an album. WHAT?? God!! No! I'm such an amateur! Ah, we all know he uses the least likely. I'm so humbled. And its amazing to see the Lords faithfulness come to pass. He has put this whole thing together before my eyes through the hands of his people. Its so awesome.

The EP is called "ONE". I heard that word when Jesus lead me to do this EP. It represents the gospel and how we are ONE, we are his bride, we are the same spirit, we are His. No more division, no more rituals or law to make us 'clean' and 'worthy' to be in his presence, we are ONE. Always, constantly in him, he in us. This is a truth that Germany NEEDS to hear. That legalism is DEAD and MERCY is alive!

This EP will be releasing on iTunes in the next week, so keep your eyes open as I update here on my blog! All funds raised through this EP will go directly to sending me to Germany, and any extra will go to supporting Aaron & his family. Stay posted for more information on this EP, as well as what I'll be doing there, details of the trip, background and process of the songs, and ways you can help!

"You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury. 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheeck, offer the other cheeck also. If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat too. If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles. Give to those who ask and dont turn away those who borrow." -Matthew 5:38-42 (NLT)

KEY VERSE:// "And if someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life." -Matthew 5:41 (MSG)


Umm...how hard is that? I was reading part of the "sermon on the mount" this morning in Matthew 5, and had to stop and really think about that key verse. If someone takes advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. I dont know about you, but if someone is taking advantage of me, I do not take it lightly. Not only does it hurt, but I get defensive! Who do they think they are and why do they think they have the right to walk all over me? I deserve respect, right?

Thats always our initial thought when someone isnt treating us right. We escape relationships because "we deserve to be treated better" and all the other person does is "take without giving". I mean, we dont have to put up with this right? We deserve better, dont we?

There is a fine line between pride and maintaining personal dignity. Pride says "YOU dont get to walk all over me and treat me like your doormat," dignity says "I know who I am, I wont let the way you treat and view me hinder the way I view and respect myself". I feel like the lie of the world is telling us that "we deserve better" than to be treated like "doormat," but when we look at Jesus, and the way he was treated, and what he endured for us, what do we really deserve? I mean Jesus deserved everything opposite of what he recieved, yet he still allowed people to walk all over him. Why? Because he didnt come to sit on a throne. He came to be a servant, knowing he already had a throne and knowing his identity. 


Picture a servant right now. I'm picturing a scrawny, weak woman. Messy, natty hair. Dirty. Exhausted, with dark circles under her eyes. Minding her own business, but yet attentive to every need of others. This is the picture of a servant. This is the picture that Jesus came to display. Whats the difference between us as servants, and the picture we see in our head of a servant? We have fire in our eyes. We have passion. We have hope. We have confidence. We have identity, and we have honor because of our servant life on earth. We know that as we become less, He becomes greater. We know that the least on earth are the greatest in heaven. We know who we are, because we know who He is. 


This is so hard for me to do. To, when being disrespected, walked all over, and treated as a 'doormat',  use it as an opportunity to practice the servant life. To turn our cheeck, to lift up our eyes to the one who knows our value and worth. This is servanthood.

Bearing The Fruit//

The other day, I had been thinking about many different parts of my life. School, friends, church, work, etc. In all honesty, I was angrily-thinking about how pointless some of the things I do are. But unfortunately, these seemingly "pointless things" are things I have to do. Like, taking business classes. I hate it! I hate it, and not only that, but these classes are so difficult! I'm spending so much time studying and doing homework for a major I really dont even like. So, while I was contemplating my frustrations, Jesus reminded me of the fruits of the spirit, and how he intends every area, whether we enjoy doing it or not, to bear fruit. So, off that, heres my little devotional for you today:

Read John 15:1-17

Key Verse: "I am the true grapevine, and my father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that does not produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit, so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me."

1. Jesus wants every area of our life to bear fruit, and if its not bearing fruit, he cuts it off. Think of the three areas of your life that you put the most time into. It can be people, places, specific activities, etc. Dont think solely of the ones you get the most out of, or the ones you like the most, rather, really think about the things that take the most of your time and devotion out of your day.

2. Now detect and analyze what fruit(s), if any, that each of these activities or people are bearing. If there are no fruits coming out of that area, pray for how you can turn it around to start bearing fruit from it, or ask God if its an area you need to let go of completely.


Remember that Jesus intends even the sucky parts of our day to bear fruit. Like, those business classes, or work. Those are not fun! But even though they arent what I'd want to be doing, I have to do them. And because its a part of my life, they have the potential to bear much fruit! Anything and everything can be put under the authority of Jesus, the "gardener".

      I mean, we've all been there right? When our schedule fills up, when sleep seems like the most attractive option, when our awe of God fades....worship just isnt at the top of our list. I mean sure, in your head, the answer to "whats the most important thing in your life" may still be God, but are your heart and actions still reflecting that? These past couple months have been killer for me. I started a new job working 20-30 hours a week, being a full time student, worship team commitments, small group meetings, working out, a social life, time with Jesus, and on top of all this, trying to find the time to just be still. I literally felt like there was NO time in my day. And oh yea...WHERE did my sleep go?! Every night I go to sleep, saying, "Oh God, I'm sorry for not putting you first. I will wake up early tomorrow and spend time with you first thing". And then I go to sleep...my alarm goes off for 6:00am...and I forget why its even going off. Day after day, night after night. Feeling distant from Jesus was becoming a routine.  Finally, this morning I had time to journal and study the word. The Lord brought me to Malachi chapter 1, and oh how relevant and convicting it was. 

MALACHI CHAPTER ONE//

1:2 "I have always loved you," says the Lord. I love that this is the first thing God tells the prophet Malachi to tell his people. That he has always loved us, despite all the things that we have done, and is about to convict us for, he wants us to know how much he loves us in the midst of it all. 

You have shown contempt for my name// "A son honors his father, and a servant respects his master. If I am your father and master, where are the honor and respect I deserve? You have shown contempt for my name! 1:6

-----The main thing that stuck out to me in this was the word honor. To me, honoring a father and a master (both things of this world), are putting them as a priority. Honoring my father is a priority of mine. Respecting the attendace policy in my classes is a priority of mine. My father, the education system, sleep, work, these are all things OF God, given BY GOD. If I'm prioritizing them before I prioritize God, these things have become idols in my life. 

Unworthy Sacrifices// "You defile your sacrifices and my alter by saying the alter of the Lord deserves no respect. When you give blind animals as sacrifices, isnt that wrong? And isnt it wrong to offer animals that are crippled and diseased? Try giving gifts like tha tto your governor, and see how pleased he is!' says the Lord of Heaven's Armies. 1:8

------What respect do we have for the Lord and the worship he is worthy of when we give him "blind animals" or animals that are "crippled and diseased"...AKA, the leftovers of what you have. You have healthy, beautiful animals to give, but youre giving him the things you dont need or want, your left overs. How many times a day do I give him my leftovers? I put so much time into studying and being faithful in school and relationships, that I forget about the one who gave them all to me. And by the end of the day, all I have left is a few prayers here and there, an "i'm sorry" and I wake up the next morning and unintentionally do it all again. 

All or Nothing// "How I wish one of you would shut these doors so that these worthless sacrifices could not be offered! I am not pleased with you, and I will not accept your offerings."

----Ouch. He wants whole hearted worship, or nothing at all. No worship is better than worship with contempt. (*contempt: negative attitude towards something or someone regarding it as inferior or worthless). This, we already know of God: he wants you to be hot or cold, not lukewarm. Lukewarm faith is not pleasing to him. 

Too Big a Request// "But you dishonor my name with your actions. By bringing comtemptible food, you are saying its alright to defile the Lords table. You say, 'It's to hard to serve the Lord,' and you turn your noses up at my commands." 1:12

------We all know that actions speak louder than words. The voice of our action of "half hearted worship" is speaking dishonor upon the name of the Lord. Our contemptable actions are giving onlookers the example of what worship should be, saying its "alright to defile His table". The thought of the discipline and sacrifice it takes to really give whole hearted worship, scares alot of people. It leads us to give up, and turn away from Jesus. But the truth of it is, we are only sacrificing the things he sacrificed himself for us to have: free will. 

Empty Promises// "Cursed is the cheat who promises to give a fine ram from his flock, but then sacrifices a defective one to the Lord." 1:14

-----Guilty, guilty, guilty. Like I mentioned above, every night I find myself saying "Lord, I will put you first tomorrow." I promise the best, but still give him a 'defective' offering, half hearted worship. Its become something of an accomplishment to spend time with God. As I write that, I hate seeing it on a paper. An accomplishment??? Spending time with the creator? Falling in the love with Jesus? An accomplishment? I need a renewed mind, and renewed spirit. 

Grace// Now although his despise for half hearted worship still remains the same, one thing has changed since the old testament when this was written: Jesus. Because he came, there is grace every day when I dont wake up when I should. There is grace when I view being in his presence as an accomplishment that I have earned by proritizing my time correctly. There is grace when my selfishness gets in the way of wanting to worship. There is grace when I overlook the truth. Even though the heart of God doesnt sway on this subject, there is grace. Grace abounding that I am so thankful for. 

Reflect//

1. Analyze your daily worship to God. How do you worship him? 

2. Do you feel that you are giving your whole heart in worship to God? Or is it half hearted? Why.

3. What kind of promises are you making to the Lord that you arent keeping? 

4. How can you work to change your halfhearted worship to whole hearted devotion?

5. Respond to the truth of the grace that covers us every day that our worship isnt whole hearted. 

I thirst to be made more thirsty still...

"O God, I have tasted Thy goodness, and it has both satisfied me and made me thirsty for more. I am painfully consious of my need for further grace. I am ashamed of my lack of desire. O God, the Triune God, I want to want Thee; I long to be filled with longing; I thirst to be made more thirsty still. Show me Thy glory, I pray Thee so that I may know Thee indeed. Begin in mercy a new work of love within me. Say to my soul, 'Rise up my love, my fair one, and come away.' Then give me grace to rise and follow Thee up from this misty lowland where I have wandered so long. "

-A.W. Tozer

Just a little bit longer

Oh Jesus. 

Just a little while longer until I get to see you face to face.

Just a little while longer till I know you.

Just a little while longer and we'll be together.

Oh Jesus.

If each day brings me closer to the day when we are made one, each day is worth it. 

If each day holds the opportunity to be surrounded by your presence, each day is worth it.

If each moment has the potential to bring heaven to earth, each day is worth it. 

Oh Jesus.

My soul longs for you.

My soul burns with passion for your name.

My soul needs to be held by you.

My soul cries out for your presence. 

My soul sings of how I love you.

Nothing compares to Jesus. I love him, I want him, I need him every day. 

-B

"Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or our spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God." -2 Corinthians 7:1

1. "Because we have these promises...": What promises are Paul referring to here? At the end of the previous chapter, Paul quotes God when he says "I will live in them and walk among them. I will be their God and they will be my people" (2 Corinthians 6:16). God promised that He will live in us. He promised that he will walk among us. In us and around us. He promised that we would be His, and He would be ours. We have a relationship, a claim on one another. No more separation. 

2. "...let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or our spirit": We cleanse ourselves because he has chosen to be with us. We cleanse ourselves because He sent Jesus to take away our sins. We cleanse ourselves because He says we are his and he is ours. Paul isnt legalistically saying that we have to cleanse ourselves and obtain holiness before we can recieve the promises that God made with us. He's saying the exact opposite acually. We cleanse ourselves because of what He has already done, not the other way around. 

We cleanse ourselves to show our love to Him, because He loved us first. We are only reciprocating the love already given. 

So what in your life is defiling your body? What is defiling your spirit? What is keeping you from a holy body and a holy spirit, perfect and pleasing to Jesus?

Love: Forever His

"But as for you Isreal, my servant, Jacob, my chosen one, my friend, I have called you back from the ends of the earth saying "you are my servant." For I have chosen you and I will not throw you away." 

-Isaiah 41: 8&9

How many times in this walk of faith do we expect perfection out of ourselves? I know there are times when I do. All I want to do is make Jesus proud. I just want to show him I love him. And somewhere along this road of trying to please him, I get caught up in the attempt of perfection. Somehow, I forget the truth that perfection is not obtainable. So, when I fall or fail, it hits me hard. It hits me so hard, that I find myself not being able to forgive myself. Even when I know Jesus has forgiven me, I dont think I'm worthy of that forgiveness. What kind of mindset is that? 

Jesus doesnt expect perfection out of us. If we were perfect, God wouldnt have had to send his perfect son Jesus. He could have used one of us as a sacrifice. But no one was perfect. And Jesus came and died so that by accepting his sacrifice, we would be made perfect in the sight of God. There is nothing I could do to make God see me as anything more or less than Jesus. How amazing is that? 

Sometimes I forget this though. And when my faith isnt as strong as it should be, or when I get caught up in the ways of this world, I get so disappointed in myself that I start to distance myself. My mindset tells me that because I have failed him, I cant be used by him. And as I give into this false mindset, I start to fall away from his heart. I start to feel like I cant be used. That I cant be worthy of being called His own. 

But then, God picks me up the moment I start falling away. He reminds me of a little thing called grace. And that because of that grace, he doesnt require perfection of us, he only requires that we love him with everything that we are. With all of our minds, all of our heart, and all of our strength. When we love Him in this way, we are made right. We are clothed in righteousness. We are made perfect in his eyes. And by loving him fully, we are able to live a life that pleases him. Not a perfect one, but one that uses every moment to love Jesus more than you did the day before. One that is sensitive and obedient to the Holy Spirit. A life that bows in awe at the sound of his name. One that delights in who he is. One that honors him and represents him. 

And so, Isaiah 41 spoke to me this morning while I was feeling unworthy in the way I explained above:

"But as for you Isreal, my servant, Jacob, my chosen one, my friend, I have called you back from the ends of the earth saying "you are my servant." For I have chosen you and I will not throw you away." 

This is God. This is Jesus. This is Grace. He calls us from the place we've wandered to. "The ends of the earth". It doesnt matter where we are, how far weve been away, he is still calling us back. He calls you his servant, his chosen one, his friend. And how does he get our attention from this far away place we have wandered to? He calls us by name, saying "you are my servant." He tells us the way he has claimed us, he tells us that no matter how far weve wandered, he still sees us the same way he saw us the day he saved us: as his servant. He chose us. And even though we may stray, even though we mess up, He wants us back. He wont throw us away. We are still able to be used by him. We are still His. 

Love: An Unchanging God

Hey fellow cyber friends. Its me. Blake. I dont know why but today I'm just incredibly happy and stress free. Even though, I have many things I probably should be stressing about...Oh well. :)

So as I'm reflecting on this past week, I'm just so incredibly humbled and thankful. God has shown himself to me in so many ways. I came here for the sole purpose of establishing his glory on this campus. For a while, I really felt like my efforts were going unnoticed. I didnt feel like I was being used as much as I could be. But regardless of how much I felt like I was doing, God was still God. He showed up every night when I prayed or worshipped. His presence was as strong as its ever been. He was still teaching me. He was still being faithful. Hes been showing me that no matter how I feel, He is still constant. Through it all.

That truth is something that brings me so much peace. No matter where I am or who is in my life, no matter if I have confusion or dont understand, no matter if I'm obedient or not, no matter if I'm happy or sad, He stays the same. Hes completely unchanging. His promises never change. His power never fades. His strength never fails. His goodness never leaves. He is who he is. Always.

"Long ago you laid the foundation of the earth and made the heavens with your hands. They will perish, but you remain forever; they will wear out like old clothing. You will change them like a garment and discard them. But you are always the same; you will live forever. The children of your people will live in security. Their children's children will thrive in your presence."

Psalm 102: 25-28

His power doesnt depend on your strength. His goodness doesnt depend on your obedience. His grace doesnt depend on your holiness. His redemption doesnt depend on your past. His forgiveness doesnt depend on your ability to forgive yourself. His future for you doesnt depend on the mistakes of your yesterdays. His love doesnt depend on the way you feel about him. He is God. He is Almighty. He loves you, and theres nothing you can do to change that. 

Life: Jesus is a movin'

Alright so...today has been awesome to say the least. There were a few really stinkin awesome things that Jesus did today that I'd like to share with you guys. Jesus is a movin'.

1. So last night I had a dream about the holy spirit. This is the first dream I've had like this. I was in a room with a couple friends and we got on the subject of Jesus and his forgiveness. One of the people in the room with me, lets call him "Charlie," got really turned off when we started talking about it. I asked why and came to find out that he rejected that forgiveness because he couldnt forgive himself. He had alot of shame and guilt built up inside of him because of it. I talked more about that forgiveness but he couldnt accept it. He wouldnt, because he didnt believe he could be forgiven. All of a sudden the holy spirit came into the room in what seemed to be a gust or a wind. It was so strong that we almost got knocked over. At that, I tried to lay my hands on "Charlie" but he resisted it and tried to move away, but that only made me hold him with my hands. I held him and looked im in the eye and said "in the name of Jesus you are forgiven." Right after that there was a calmness, a peace. Charlie stopped struggling and stood in stillness. In that moment he had accepted that forgiveness.

I woke up and thought the dream was AWESOME. I had never dreamed of the holy spirit so vividly before. So I texted everyone that was in my dream and just told them what happened. It spoke to a few people.

2. So, fast forward a few hours, and I'm in my sociology class. This class is HUGE. Like 300-400 people. We have a professor, and 4 teaching assistants that lead the class. Today I was sitting in class and my eyes were drawn to one of the TA's. He just had such a look of sorrow and concern on his face. I could tell something wasnt right and I felt the need to go pray for him. As soon as I felt that, fear crept in.
(Side note: the teachers of this class are VERY liberal and openly express their disapproval of religion.)
Is he gonna laugh? Will he disregard what I have to say? How would he respond to this? Of course, as humans that fear man's judgement, we fear the disapproval of others. But God spoke so clearly to me. He said "Blake, you are not in this school for grades, you are here to love my people and to reveal Me to them. You are in the school of the spirit."
So, dang. I knew I had to. So I walked up to him and asked to talk to him. His name is James. I proceeded to tell him that I felt like he had alot of saddness and was going through something and felt alone. I told him that Jesus wanted him to know that his arms are full of comfort that he is waiting to pour out upon him. That he is the object of His affection. That Jesus wants James to know him.
Now, there wasnt a big salvation prayer done after this, but I James was receptive. I expected rejection, but the look in his eyes told me that he needed this word from God.

3. SO, that was cool. A couple hours later I was leaving my public speaking class. I was walking to the elevator and heard grunting behind me. I turned around to see a man on crutches. I asked him what was wrong and he proceeded to tell me that he had dislocated his knee from moving furniture with his brother. He couldnt walk on it. We got in the elevator together and talked a little bit more about his injury. After leaving the elevator, I opened the exit door for him, told him I hoped he felt better, and started to walk away. As soon as I turned away from him, I turned right back. I know this wasnt me, because I never have had the courage to do this, but I approached him again and asked him if he believed in healing. I told him how I had just gotten healed in my leg this past weekend, and that I'd love to pray for his knee's healing if it was alright.
He told me he was a christian as well and gave the ok for prayer. One hand in his, the other on his knee, we began to pray over his healing. I prayed for restoration of this injury and for Jesus to illuminate his love. After the prayer I asked him to try to move his knee. He could move it! It wasnt completely healed, but it was moving. I really felt that God wanted to do more, so I asked him if I could pray again. He said yes. This time I got down on my knees and put both hands on his knee cap. I prayed. I felt the holy spirit. (Ah thank you jesus). After praying, I asked him how he felt. He said the pain had decreased!!! YAY. I proceeded to talk to him about how sometimes God heals gradually & he has to proclaim that healing every day. I told him I'd be praying for it and I just know God is gonna completely heal his knee :) We hugged and parted.

SO YEAH. Freaking awesome. You may be reading this and thinking "great. you prayed for people". But no. Like, that is so not me. It takes alot for me to go up to someone I dont know and give them a word from God. It takes ALOT for me to pray for healing over someone I dont even know. I prefer relational evangelism. Jesus brought me to a whole new level today.  One of my biggest struggles is to obey the holy spirit for the HARD things. And for some reason, my mindset today was "WHY NOT?!". Thank you lord. I know that was the holy spirit in me! Ah. Sooooo yes. I challenge yall to pray for courage! Pray for strength! Pray for knowledge of the power living inside you! Pray for obedience to the spirit. Pray for new eyes that can see brokenness. Pray for ears to hear what God is trying to say!! Dont be afraid. This is why we are here! This is why we were saved!

In This Life

In this life, never doubt your efforts. Never regret. Dont wish away your days. Dont think that any moment is a moment wasted. Remember the value of your existence. Acknowledge that there is a purpose in the world that only you can fulfil. Realize that you are one of a kind, that there is no one else like you, and will never be. Rest in the fact that you were hand crafted & made with precision. Understand that although the love you give may not be reciprocated, love given is never wasted. Open your eyes and see that the day is yours, that victory available in every situation, that an abundant life is at your fingertips. Unveil your face, dont be blind to the opportunities in front of you. Remember that perfection is not obtainable, but perfect love is put to action when imperfection is accepted and cherished. Hold onto the hope that there will be a tomorrow, there will be a second chance, there will be new mercies each and every morning. The sun will continue to rise, the stars will continue to shine. No matter how deep a hole you've dug yourself, there's always a hand waiting to pull you out. Recognize your passions and pursue them. Never stop doing what brings you joy. Ask questions, search for answers, and have faith enough to be content in the fact that not every question will be answered. Cherish the sadness as much as the joy. Accept the fact that our way isnt the only way. Love others where they are at, instead of where they could be. Learn to see past the bad, & straight to the good. Illuminate a room with your presence. Speak kindly, but speak sparingly. Let your words be an overflow of the love in your heart. Smile. Take every opportunity to share kindness. See that each day is not for ourselves, but for others; so that they may see a glimpse of the goodness that we have obtained. Be faithful. Be obedient. Honor others. Dont be afraid to love. Dont be afraid to be real. Grasp the reality that you are someones miracle. Be bold. Be loving. Be selfless. Be the change.

The world needs you. 

Love: Wisdom

Just went a friend's blog, where Chris Exley, one of my church's missionaries did some writing. Some words that he spoke really touched my heart about finding direction and my calling. I'd like to share it with you guys:

"Demonstrate your trust in me by sitting quietly in My Presence.  Put aside all that is waiting to be done, and refuse to worry about anything.  This sacred time together strengthens you and prepares you to face whatever the day will bring.  By waiting with Me before you begin the day’s activities, you proclaim the reality of My living Presence. This act of faith – waiting before working – is not popular in your world but is noted in the spirit world, where your demonstration of trust weakens principalities and powers of darkness.

When you need to take action, I will guide you clearly through My Spirit and My Word.  The world is so complex and overstimulating that you can easily lose your sense of direction.  Doing countless unnecessary activities will dissipate your energy.  When you spend time with Me, I will restore your sense of direction.  As you look to Me for guidance, I will enable you to do less but accomplish more."

Life: Steps In His Direction pt 1

So, unfortunately I'm a little behind on my goal of posting every day. But, I really want to still try! Life just got reallll busy this past Thursday through the weekend. But, I'm back now! Its a rainy day in Fayetteville and I'm blogging in the Starbucks on campus with a warm green tea. Mmm. I'm just sitting here thinking about the amazing things God placed in my heart this weekend. Ah. It excites me. I'm so expectant of his will being done in my life. I want to blog about where I am in this season in my life and what God has been teaching me and putting on my heart. Theres SO much I have to tell yall, but for the sake of not overloading you in one post, I'll start with explaining HOW I got to where I am:

So, as alot of you guys know, I'm a freshman at the University of Arkansas. It was, and still is, kinda crazy that I've ended up here. About a year before I decided on the U of A, God spoke to my heart and called me into music ministry (worship leading specifically, but also church ministries as a whole). For a while I had been looking into Baylor and other christian universities as well as bible colleges that would aid me in my pursuit of ministry. But, God had other plans. This time last year I went to visit one of my friends that happened to attend the University of Arkansas. I had no intentions of even considering the school. I had never had a desire to attend, one, because most of my high school went there, and two, because the type of people that went just weren't my crowd (I hate that I had that mindset now that I look back). While I was there, I fell in love with this place. I loved the campus and I loved the town. Not only that, but God really spoke to me while I visited. I was spending time with Jesus my first morning in Arkansas, looking over the mountains, and I was lead to Isaiah 42.

"I the Lord have called you to demonstrate my righteousness. I will take you by the hand and guard you, and I will give you to my people as a symbol of my covenant with them. And you will be a light to guide the nations. You will open the eyes of the blind. You will free the captives from prision, releasing those who sit in the darkness." -Isaiah 42: 6-7

AH! Just thinking back to that moment makes me so happy. I'm so thankful that I dont have to depend on myself, but that I can rely on the Holy Spirit to reveal things to me and guide me to the places I need to be. So, I decided that day: I am called to the University of Arkansas. But, it was not that easy. I had alot of opposition from my dad. He wanted the best for me and reallyyy wanted me to go to UT or Texas A&M. We had alot of arguments and there were times when I felt helpless, but the Lord told me that he would fight for me and that His will would be done. I trusted, and it happened. He is so faithful.

So, here I am. About a month left until my first semester is up. I cant believe its gone by that fast. During this first semester, I've realized how much strength and devotion it takes to be a follower of Christ, especially here at the University of Arkansas. In one word, I'd have to describe it as lonely. Its been so tough, and will continue to be, but thank the Lord that I dont have to endure on my own! He is on my side. Its so comforting to know that.

In the next couple days, I'll be blogging about my experience during my first semester, what I've learned and what I've heard from God, and the things He is putting on my heart and igniting in me for my future.

-Blake

P.S. Remember you can leave a comment on my blog posts, even if you dont have an account :)

The Scarlet Thread

Love: Taking Hold of the Promises

"You light a lamp for me. The Lord, my God, lights up my darkness. In your strength I can crush an army, with my God I can scale any wall. God's way is perfect. All the Lord's promises prove true. He is a sheild for all who look to him for protection. For who is God except the Lord? Who but our God is a solid rock? God arms me with strength and He makes my way perfect. He makes me as surefooted as a deer, enabling me to stand on mountain heights. He trains my hands for battle, he strengths my arm to draw a bronze bow. You have given me your sheild of victory. Your right hand supports me; your help has made me great." -Psalm 18:28-36

1. He gives us eyes to see his light in the darkness
2. He offers us his strength, enough to crush an army.
3. With our God, we can do the impossible.
4. His ways are perfect & his promises prove true.
5. He protects those who run to him for safety.
6. He is a solid rock, a place where we can stand firm. He is truth, & he doesnt waver.
7. He arms ME with his strength and gives me his perfection so that MY ways may be perfect.
8. He enables me to stand firmly in places that otherwise would cause a person to fall.
9. He trains and prepares me for battles, he equips me with spiritual weapons.
10. He has given us his victory.
11. He supports us and sustains us and his help makes us great.

Jesus. He is good. He is faithful. All he says is true. Look at those promises he makes us as his children...he offers all those things freely, because he loves us. He offers us his goodness, so that we may be good. He offers us his strength, so that we may be victorious. Who is like our God? Tell me, who can give you the strength to stand firm in shakey places? Who gives you victory over EVERY addiction and heartbreak? People, THE BATTLE IS WON! Your depression? YOURE FREE. Your heartbreak? YOURE HEALED. Your addictions? THE CHAINS ARE BROKEN. We recieved victory the moment Jesus took his place on the cross. The price was paid, and the victory is won. When will we start living in that truth? Satan was defeated the moment Christ was victorious. We inherit that freedom & victory! Live in it! Live in the realities of the spirit! It is freely offered, so TAKE IT. We've won freedom, so live free. We've been offered light, so cast out darkness. We've been offered the strength of the Almighty, so conquor the armies of the enemy. Stop living blind to the victory and chained to the enemy. Recieve the promises!

Love: Worship!

So, I love worship. Leading worship is one of my favorite things in the world. Mostly because I love being able to be a part of connecting people to the presence of God. His presence is where hearts are changed and healed and restored. One of my prayers as I start this next chapter in life is that He will use my voice on my campus to bring people to his heart! I decided to do a cover of Rooftops by Jesus Culture. Its one of my favorite worship songs right now. I love the lyrics. Jesus, we are yours!!

-Blake

Love: Trust

Amen. I want this framed in my dorm. This is such encouragement to my journey into this next chapter of my life. Jesus has called me to proclaim his name in Arkansas. He will fight for me, all I need to do is trust.