Only The Strong Survive

Ever since I came to know Christ, and even before, I've always heard people talk about using God as a sheild, persay, against the enemy. It's hard to find people that take it a step further and actually ask God for the strength to attack the enemy, rather than be defensive. Personally, I hate defense. I don't want to hide behind something and wait for the enemy. I am a mighty warrior, and I have the light of God on me, who shall I Fear?! I know that Satan isn't scared of me, because I'm a sinful being, but he is scared of my Father.

I have to battle the enemy every day, the second I wake up, but I will overcome! I've been hurt, stabbed in the heart, had all of my bones broken, been called a coward and a fool. But with the resurrecting power of MY GOD, I've been able to get back up and press towards my goal. The goal of spreading the Good Word for all to hear. Check out the song on the right side of my blog page, War of Ages - Only The Strong Survive (Lyrics Below)...

Lord God release us now
The time has come to release our rage
The weak shall fall but the strong survive
God prepare our hearts for war
A fight to the end is our last breath
We will search for the truth

Now we see our emptiness
And why our hearts are filled with so much pain
Because we choose to lead a world that has lost all hope
But if we rise together as one we will take this world by storm

We'll take this world by storm

We'll save you from yourself from losing hope
Only the strong survive
We'll conquer all we fear and never walk away
Only the strong survive
...war!!

One Semester of Spanish - Love Song

I wonder if this would actually get a beautiful Hispanic girl? Moy's, my Honduras friend, cousin is gorgeous, but doesn't know English...

My Randomness

So yeah, possibly the most random piece of comic ever created. This is the way I've been feeling the past month. Some many things I've been contemplating deep inside, and so many unanswered questions & promises. I dreamed again last night about my promise. This would be number two, and from the Bible, three is confirmation...

Missione Possibile

gerry testori in a garbage dump in cambodia
While sitting in missions class Sunday night, mesmerized by the message from Gerry Testori, God hit me a 100% reassurance of my call and where I'm heading. Gerry Testori is the founder of Missione Possibile, a phenominal missions organization based in Italy. I always felt in my heart that God was calling me to Asia, but I wasn't sure where. But when Gerry talked about their outreach in Cambodia, and being in need of many parttime/fulltime missionaries out there, I was instantly woken to my location.

Many, many things have changed these past couple of months. Quite a few of them heartache, but because I remained faithful God opened my eyes to many other amazing things. I'm no longer scared about the future, whether someone I love will be part of it or not, but I'm seeking God's face right now. Things that were once hidden to my eyes are now visible, spiritual and worldly. My feelings for someone are changing, uncontrollably, but none-the-less, changing. I hear God in almost everything I do, and I know I'm living the life He is meaning me to. I'm still FAR from the man I'm supposed to be, but I'm working on it...

...I Love You All

Currently listening to Hillsong United - Found

Mike Huckabee For PRESIDENT

Chuck Norris...I Love You So

Mike Huckabee FOR PRESIDENT!!!

Mighty Warrior

These past couple of weeks have been crazy. A promise was slowly getting the best of me, and I couldn't forgive someone for hurting me worse than anybody has before. Last night during Elevate class we watched some ISOM videos on Worship, which turned out to be the BEST VIDEOS in the ISOM series. I had the longing to get on my face and praise Him right then and there. I got a breakthrough along with this, which turned out that I'm not giving God enough worship/personal time with Him.

I got home, went in my bedroom, turned out the lights, turned on some Hillsong and Rick Pino, and fell to the floor praising His name. All of my struggles, anxieties, pains, and unforgiveness broke and left my heart. My spirit was broken for an hour. I laid it all down, and God destroyed all the barriars I had put up around me. One in particular, unforgivenness, put up a fight, but in the end God prevailed. I never felt so much peace and tranquility. I long to praise His name again, and I did a little this morning and while driving to work.

One song that hit me the hardest, and put me right in the presence of God was Rick Pino's song 'Mighty Warrior.' I suggest checking out his album 'Weapons of Warfare.' It's such a spirit filled and glorying album!

Jonathan and I have decided to start a twice weekly worship session together. I've also devoted my life to bringing Him all my praises daily for now on. I want that peace I felt every day, and for the rest of my life. For the first time I stopped thinking about Mary Beth, and starting thinking about God in all His glory!!!

Revelations & Honor

So yeah, I know you guys are probably tired of hearing me talk about how much I miss Mary Beth, but God gave me a revelation last night. While reading the book 'God's Armor Bearer' by Terry Nance I came across this paragraph:

Personal feelings must be laid aside when you make a decision to serve God in whatever ministry He puts you. After all, He knew all the rules and regulations of that ministry before He put you there.

These words by Mr. Nance hit me hard. Here I am, drowning in my own sorrows and depression, missing the one woman I've ever truly loved, and God is working everything out right in front of me. Mary Beth gave up so much to follow God's commandment for this season in her life. I know her pretty well, and God spoke to me a lot. Her sorrow is still there, she just knows how to hold it in better than me. I know she still loves me, and I her. The rules of Elevate suggested that full-time interns shouldn't date, so they could focus on God 100%. God knew these rules before Elevate was ever created, and He's making sure she follows these.

I honor Mary Beth, second to God, for doing this. I will wait patiently, until the day God releases her from this commitment. I can't keep getting depressed and 'whooh is me' every time I see her looking at me. It's going to be a hard 6 months, but I've decided to stop letting the enemy take my joy and gifts from God. I need to focus everything I have on God, and when God is ready He will unite us again, if it's His will. Which I pray every day that these feelings and promises I feel from God are not false.

I want to finish up by praying for my family. I haven't spoke with my mom in a while, and the last time I did she had finally been filled with the Spirit of God and received the gift of tongues. I pray she's still walking in faith, and has found an accountability partner to mentor her. I pray for my pastor, Dino, and his family, to keep fighting the good fight, and keep receiving the Word to guide us through times of trial. I pray for the full-time Elevators. With all of their finances, food, and commitments. I pray for China, and all the lost, sick, and poor throughout the world, that they may come to know Jesus, and take this world by storm. I pray for my emotions, because i've been a wreck these past few months. I pray for my purity, that I keep my eyes on God, and nothing else. God help me become more faithful, that I may call on the name of my Lord whenever I'm walking through trials or on the mountain. Lastly, I pray for peace. I need peace, and your hand to guide me through these next 6 months. I love you God, with all my heart, mind, and spirit. I long for the day I get to be in your presence, sit at your feet, drink from your cup, and weep with joy!

Fighting The Good Fight

Waking up thinking about the one thing I may never have again is brutal. I'm tired of feeling empty, so I'm going on a fast starting tomorrow. A week long of no food, and only water. I need to seek God, forget about the person I long for the most, and FIGHT MY FIGHT!

I trust in you for life to live, and air to breath. Purity fills my lungs. I no longer live in solitude, no longer bound. My heart beats with great devotion. This is the start to a new beginning. On my knees praying for mercy. Hands raised high, humble and broken. Wanting your grace, wanting your security. Memories of laying facedown, motionless, with such a hollow feeling inside. Soon I would end this life I was living. I am just a man with a heart and sinful hands. I am a fallen victim. Lord, show me the way. Let my words be your words, let my thoughts be your thoughts. Let my words be your words, Lord show me the way. I ask of you Father, to you, I give my praise. Show me the way, take me in your arms, never let me go. Righteous in your all. Lord, show me the way, as I give myself to you. Never let me go. Hold me with your everlasting love. Be my strength. Be my voice, my glory. SET ME FREE!!!

They drove their torches into the ground.
Watching as the ice began to melt away.
The enemy’s grasp was broken by the power of fire.
And a great multitude of souls were reclaimed from the ice.
But there were many others that did not respond.
To the presence of fire.
They remained frozen.
Enslaved in darkness, forever.

When the mountains crumble into the sea.
When the stars fall from the heavens and scorch the earth.
Then every knee will bow before the flame.
And every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
Forever!

The Warriors & Scions

The past couple of weeks have been insane, full of mystification, yet impressively spiritual. My personal walk with Christ is improving, yet I still long for romance. God has let me know that He should be the source of all my love, but my longing is for physical intimacy. Not sex, I could care less about that right now, but to fulfill my love tank that runs off of physical touch. I yearn for Mary Beth, what can I say?…

God made me a promise, a promise of Brit Chadasha, which are the literal Hebrew words for New Covenant through Blood. Warriors will fight for their love, even till death, and I want to be a warrior of Christ. I don’t want to love another, but my flesh is telling me I need her. I don’t, I know, and I seek God’s face daily to convince my flesh I only need God. It’s a journey that’ll never end, but one that will get easier. I wonder most days if I’m meant to be a modern day Paul, and live my life fighting the good fight and nothing else.

God says He’ll fulfill the desires of any man’s heart, if it advances the kingdom of heaven and people come to identify Him through it. My desires are to be married, and have a little girl, and a son around the same time Jon McNabb has his so they can be paramount buds too. I’ve come to comprehend that my desires don’t always match up to God’s plans for me, but they are desires none-the-less. The only thing that seems to really bother me is if she fills the same. I feel a blazing fire in my soul for her, and God isn’t taking it away, nor is it fading. They say time heals all, but I say God healings all on HIS time.

Now that I got that out into the open it’s time for the Scion! That’s right; God blessed me with the most phenomenal vehicle in the world, a 2006 Scion tC. I love it so much, and I couldn’t ask for any other car to match up to it. It was God’s will for me to have it, and because of that I will treasure it. He showed me that even in the most cynical situations He shows up and performs astonishing acts of love. I give God all the credit, and every time someone asks me about it I make sure I elucidate it was by God’s clemency I received it.

On a concluding thought, I’d like to express gratitude to everybody for showing me love these past couple of weeks. It’s been a tough battle in the valley, and I know the war has only begun. I pray for all my family (the saved and the lost), for Mansour (my temporary Muslim friend), Steve Ware and his wife, Pastor Dino and Delynn, and my entire church family. I also pray for the homeless in our inner-city of Baton Rouge. I pray that Alice Cole and the entire crew at the 2 Baton Rouge Dream Centers gain favor with the homeless and lost. I pray the world comes to know Followers of Christ as much more than hypocrites, judgmental fools, or blasphemers. I also pray for God’s judgment on me. That He’ll show me my skeletons and the way to burn them. I love you all, and my heart will always belong to developing friends that are lost and dieing.

Send Me, I'll Go

This video is a home video, which makes life phenomenal. I love the song, and as a guy called into the mission field full time it hits my soul.

The Journey To Life

As everybody now knows, Mary Beth and I are no longer a couple. It's been that way for about 2 weeks now. When this first happened I was defeated. I couldn't sleep; I didn't want to go to work, church, or even Elevate class. If the place/thing reminded me of her then I couldn't be near it. The break up wasn't really bad, but it was engaged by her in a very hurtful way. I'll keep the fine points out, because I don't want to hurt anyone.

Anyways, I was astounded how quickly God worked me through this, how dumb was I. The first week was nightmarish. All I could do was ask God to either give me tranquility and assurance that she was the one and all things would work out after Elevate, or take my affection for her away. Well, after a week of seeking Him diligently, He did the latter. I sincerely don't know if she's the one or not, but I do know God changed me and my feelings for her. My heart doesn’t hurt nor does it long for her anymore, and I’m happier than when I was with her.

It's humorous, but after all this I noticed I had more free time, and I wasn't spending it the way I usually did. I'm concentrating more on God and studying His Word, praying a lot more, and starting to fully understand my call in the missions’ field. I'm not saying Mary Beth was hindering me, because I was devoting my time on thinking about her, talking to her, etc., and not on God. I can't tell you the last time I played XBOX, or sat around and watched a movie. I also realized that cable TV sucks, and TV evangelists are corporate crocks. The things, not sinful, I thought we once fun, are simply boring, and I just want to read my bible and continue my walk with God.

I met this wonderful girl, I actually knew her before but didn’t know much about her, that’s friends with Esther. She’s probably the most intellectual and gifted person I’ve met in a long time. She’s published books, writes poetry, owns her own photography company, and knows more about world history and the English language in her toe than I do in my entire body, absolutely loves God, and is only 24 years old. I’m actually working on her website, which is officially my first full Flash design, and it’s coming out as excellent and beautiful as her ; ).

I’m loving life. Simply put I know, but as unparalleled as they come…

Elevate: Rising Above The World

Tomorrow, the start of the most significant life changing experience I've done in my life so far. It's the start of Elevate, my church's School of Ministry. I've devoted myself to start the call that God has placed on my life. I know He created me to witness to the masses, but I can't start my call without a sturdy foundation. God led me to Elevate, not because it's something to pass the time, but because I have to understand that I have to sacrifice everything to be able to let the Holy Spirit flow within me. I'm sacrificing my time, finances, personal relationships (right now), TV, video games, etc., so that I may rise above the works of this world, and have the power to FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT for Christ Jesus.

I'm changing spiritually, emotionally, and physically, and I love it. No more will the enemy keep me bound, no more will this world try to seduce me into telling me what's right and wrong. I'm not a follower, I'm a leader. A leader that is meant to do more with my life than eat, sleep, make money, and die. I will prevail, not by my will, but by God's. I'm no longer afraid on the future. I don't know whats coming tomorrow, but I do know that I'm a warrior, and warriors NEVER back down! No longer will the enemy control me. It's his time to see the power of Christ through me, and I will storm the gates of Hell and take back what he has stolen from me.

From now on, I'm not the Chris a lot of you knew, I'm now a conqueror, a warrior for Christ, and by God's will, I will become more wise, I will gain strength, and I will reach the masses and proclaim the Good Word of Christ Jesus!

Prescott vs. Habitat For Humanity

Waking up this morning to a voice mail for my awesome roommate, Mark, was a wonder in itself. It went a little something like this;


"Chris Joy, wake your lazy butt up and come out to the church to do some 'REAL MENS' work."

The day before I was planning on going out to the Baton Rouge Dream Center to help out with restorations to Prescott's, a innercity school, gymnasium. But while at FNL last night, I found out that pretty much the entire church, HPC, was going out to help out. This pretty much included the entire youth party, and I didn't feel like dealing with the chaos.

So, I decided to head on out to help out with Habitat for Humanity. We had about a 10-15 HPC crew out there, and we laid down sod, turf and the part of the soil beneath it held together by the roots, for 3 homes. We laughed, JP whined (wink), Grey did his 'New Kids On The Block' thing, and Mark did flips when he found out he got a part in an upcoming Play.

Becoming The Archetype

Such An Aspiring Christian Death Metal Band. Yeah, The Genre Doesn't Really Sound Too Christian, But It's Just A Genre.

Becoming The Archetype - Endure

This life is an open wound that will not heal.
I cry out to God with all of my strength.
Desperately, I reach for Him in the night.
This misery keeps my eyes from closing,
keeps my mouth from being able to speak.
Is this as far as the arm of God extends?
Has the fire burned itself out?
There is no profit in this way of thinking.
I must escape this frame of mind.
The source of all creation is inside of me.
And when I think of all He has done,
when I consider all that He is, I am complete.

A HotT Date

What a glorious day. Work went by well without too many users breaking my printers. Ended up only taking a half hour lunch, so I got to leave at 4:30. I started a gym membership yesterday, and worked out for the first time in a couple of years. I'm targeting for negative 20lbs. by 2008. Mary Beth is required to work out 3 days a week while doing Elevate, and her target is going to make us the hottest couple at HPC.

Johnny Green taught tonight about relationship, mostly marriages, and just thinking about how Mary Beth and I will be married one day just makes me so excited about life, and how amazing God has, and will, bless both of us.

The lack of sleep Mary Beth had been getting finally caught up with her, and she had to miss church because she could barely get home without falling asleep. She was still able to meet me for our date at Ruffino's. I'm SO glad I made reservations...it was PACKED! Anyways, everything was PERFECT, and well worth the bit of dinero.

I'm so glad I decided to stop thinking of Elevate as an obstacle for me being able to see Mary Beth, and realize Elevate is going to be the best thing both have done with our lives. I'm willing to sacrifice 9 months of not dating Mary Beth, even though it will be hard, but I know our relationship is going to glorify God more than anything we could ever do when we get through this. I have no doubt in my mind that God created her for me, and vice-versa. I'm still praying that it's God's will for us to still be able to date, but 9 months is nothing compared to a lifetime I will be spending growing with her.

Revelation

Waking up bitter can screw up any positive day God has planned for you. I didn't know what it was, but I couldn't shake the feeling that if I didn't open my ears and shut my mouth then I would be left in the dust. I was a few minutes late to work, because I turned off my cell promising myself it wouldn't be turned on until tomorrow. See, I sleep so deep it takes my cell phone alarm plus my normal alarm to wake me. If you read my last post it explains a few things, and I just knew that if Mary Beth couldn't contact me then I would 'win.' How I was so, so wrong. I was driving to work, usually takes 20-25 minutes, and I had the sudden urge to take out the Christian Metal, and listen to my Creative Zen, which has Worship music on it.

Every thought in my mind was still going a million miles/hour, until a song came on, and placed me in a different realm, spiritually. Hillsong's 'From The Inside Out' was that song. It hit me like a ton of bricks. I was crying out for change, but not to God, until that moment. I broke down, physically, mentally, and spiritually. I couldn't keep my mind on anything but God. I was screaming out to God, shedding more tears then I've ever shed before, and more than likely looking like a mad man to the people driving past me. It's a miracle in itself that I made it to work without ramming someone off the road.

I got Revelation. This morning God promised me that Mary Beth and I are going to grow together. Grow closer to Him, therefore closer to each other. He showed me that if I continue to do things I was doing, I will lose Mary Beth, and more importantly, my faith. God has HUGE plans for Mary Beth and myself, some personally, but most of them are meant for us to conquer together. I refuse to let the enemy control my thoughts, and the way I was being selfish. I refuse to let Mary Beth slip from me because of pride. I refuse to stray from the flock, because the grass 'looks greener on the other side.'

I want, and am willing to let, Christ consume me from the inside-out. Even though I will stumble and fall, Jesus, will always forgive me, because I will always come boldly to His throne. Humanity is different. If I were to continue to stumble and hurt Mary Beth, I bet she would get tired of it. I refuse to let the enemy take my future bride from me. Satan is trying his hardest, because he knows that if we continue to walk the path of salvation together, then we'll be an unstoppable force in God's army.

I love you Mary Beth Guedry, and I'll stop at nothing to show my love for Christ Jesus and you. I'm not afraid anymore of the future, and the past has no control over me. I'll call on the name of Jesus until my time is done here on earth, and I'm done fighting the good fight.

Passive Aggressive

So, I spent Sunday after church with my beautiful girlfriend, Marybeth. I call her today to ask if she wanted to hang out today, but she said Joy already asked her to come over. I got pretty upset, considering that Marybeth is going into Elevate, ministry internship, and will be spending 9 fully awake months with Joy, and maybe one day a month with me. I got past the selfishness of the whole ordeal, that is, until tonight. God, control my lips, my thoughts, and my behavior. She called me passive aggressive because I was letting her know that I was hurt, but I don't think that applies. I just hurts me that thinking back 2 months ago, she couldn't go a day without seeing me. Now, she's satisfied with 10 hours a week. I miss Marybeth, and the times we shared. I kind of figured she'd want to spend as much time as possible together before a calling of Christ is taking 20 hours/day of her life for 9 months. If that's selfish, I'm guilty. I'm sorry for wanting to spend time with her...

Our Founding Fathers, America Today

First Amendment

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Our founding fathers never intended for the church to be separated from our government the way it is today. The original phrase from the constitution "Congress shall make no law respecting as establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof" only means that congress cannot establish a national religious denomination, such as Catholicism, Christianity, or any other denomination.

Yet, anytime religion is even just mentioned within the government today, people cry, "Separation of church and state!" About 67% of Americans now believe that this statement appears in the first amendment of the Constitution. However, the words "Separation", "Church", and "State" do not appear at all in the first amendment! The first amendment says, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." The phrase "separation of church and state" actually comes from a letter Thomas Jefferson wrote to the Danbury Baptist Association in 1802.

It was never intended for our government to be separated from Christianity and its principles. The "wall" between church and state was designed as one directional; its purpose was to protect the church from the state. The government would not be able to corrupt the church, but the church was free to teach biblical principles to the people. The founding fathers of our country took ideas from the Bible and incorporated them into our government. If they had meant to separate church and state they never would have put Biblical principles in the foundation of our government. To say Biblical principles should not be allowed in government is to either be ignorant of the founding fathers' intent, or to be blatantly opinionated against Christianity. The aim of our founding fathers was not to completely separate the church and state, but to keep the state from controlling the church. The government's purpose was to protect the church, not to disestablish it. Our founders built this country and kept it running well for more than two centuries, so shouldn't we continue to follow their original plans?