Life Savior

i am a po-et, and you did not know-it | the loser#links#links

2010-01-15T13:38:00.000-06:00

i am a po-et, and you did not know-it the loser#links#links

if you haven't notice already !URGENT! (well not THAT urgent)

2010-01-01T16:45:00.000-06:00

Well, If you haven't noticed, I'm the only one who's been posting on this blog. (And I'm sure you already knew that, didn't you?) Hey Luke! Where are you!? Kole! Where are you!? Nick!...

I don't know, they're too busy or something... but Kade is rejoining the blogging world in an all new style! Whahahahaha!

I'm starting a new blog!!

I'll still be posting on this one, Don't worry! But if you want the good stuff you'll have to go here. Now, this is a big shocker, i know... just relax... take a step back... get control of yourself!

Anyways, I started a new blog for a new decade! Time to make some changes! My blog is called 'the loser' based off of Matt. 16:25 "For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake shall find it." So I am going from Life Savior to The Loser. So I was trying to save my life while doing this blog, but now I am going to lose it for His sake at this new blog! Haha, my Dad thought of that, rather cleaver I must say...

But please, go there and follow me!

I started a blog list on The Loser of all my favorite blogs, and I'd love to put your blog up there too, but here's what you have to do... go there... follow me... and then comment and tell me you want to be put up!

I'll need your help though! Tell me anything that you think I should do on my blog! Pictures, polls, stories, etc.
And here's the best part... I'll be posting on my blog (Lord willing) EVERY-SINGLE-DAY!

I've got an idea for you... maybe it's time you started a new blog! Are you sick-and-tired of tradition!?! Maybe you're getting a new mindset this year and maybe you need a new blog to go with it!

God bless you, and I'll see you on my blog!
-Kade @ the loser

p.s. man... this is a big change for me... going from life saving to life losing... i hope it works...

on FI-YA

2009-12-31T12:03:00.006-06:00

Have you set any goals yet? This is the END of the decade, what will you do in the next one? Yesterday, we were talking about this next decade and how fast this last one went by, and I said "This next one is mine." Anybody with me?

Man, I have so many ideas and dreams (most of them are crazy and impossible, i know) but now, I'm not going to care about what others think (and what I think, 'cause most of the time I discourage myself from carrying out my dreams!)

I've got a question for you, have you ever tried to do something impossible? Yeah, I've never tried either. Ever tried to do something highly improbable? SAY WHAT?

I want to encourage you to do something this next year that you never thought in a million years you could have done! It could be anything! But whatever it is, don't be afraid to do it! Maybe it's finishing high school early! Maybe it's learning to play an instrument! Or starting a band! My Dad is planning on running a half-marathon this next year. Yeah, I know, wow!

All I want to say is:

One thing that I want to do this next year is start my 'missionary training'. Yeah, that's right. I wanna be a missionary. What r u gunna do 'bout it? Another thing I want to do is learn Spanish, yeah, you like that one too? I guess that might be part of my missionary training though... Anyways, this is my dream for now, but what does it mean? I don't know really. It may mean going here. Or It may mean me thinking about going to a seminary. Or It may just mean studing at home! I don't know! But I do know that God's got big plans for me- He's got big plans for you and me!

But you know, I can get very discouraged. I mean, what are the chances of me learning a language in a year? What are the chances of a sixteen-year-old going to a missionary training school? I don't know! But with the big G-O-D all things are possible. And if you try to discourage me, you'd better watch out, 'cause I just might shoot you! Well okay, not really... I like you guys too much...

So I'll just say one more thing:
GO GET 'EM TIGER!
And maybe something else:
GET R' DONE!
Alright, a few more:
DO HARD THINGS!
DO THE IMPOSSIBLE!
and Don't be CHICKEN!

You get it?

God bless you, (IF YOU DO WHAT I'M SAYIN')
Kade

p.s. in fact, comment and tell me what you plan on doing this next year. and if you don't, I'll send viruses onto your computer, whahaha!

p.p.s. just kidding.

p.p.p.s. i don't even know how to.

the pics i promised

2009-12-29T10:32:00.004-06:00

I finally got some time after Christmas to upload some pictures, so enjoy!

I had a joke while giving a presentation, that this was a picture of two devils, me and the statue...

My favorite orphanage (if you're allowed to have a 'favorite').

Some of the seminary students from BEST (Berean Evangelical School of Theology) practicing the songs I taught them.

Pastor Curtis, me, and Henry (the leader of BEST... and much more!)

Playing Canball with the students! Yeah!

The kids at one of the orphanages playing "Do you love your neighbor" Burmese style!

I know what I'm going to post on next, so stay tuned!

Happy New Year... start those resolutions!

God bless!

Kade

p.s. I got some new music on Christmas, so I put it up on the side-bar to share!

Myanmar

2009-12-19T07:26:00.004-06:00

Yes, I went to Myanmar! Don't know where it is? It's right here:

This is a blown up picture of it though, so look it up on your own to see it's real size. Down near the bottom of the country it's says in small type YANGON. And yep, that's where we went.

There was three of us, Mr. Tom, Mr. Curtis, and Mr. Kade. like that?

Anyways, we had a wonderful trip! The orphans that I visited were awesome! And not only did I encourage them, but they encouraged me a lot! I taught them around 10 songs (in English) 4 Bible lessons and 8 games! Yeah baby!

the songs: I'm Forgiven, Famous One, All because of Jesus, I Lift my Eyes Up, Give Us Clean Hands, We bow Down, etc.

the games: Capture the Flag, Hide-and-Seek, Duck Duck Goose, Do You Love your Neighbor, etc.

the lessons: The Ten Lepers, Who's the Greatest? The Vine Growers, etc.

I also had an opportunity to speek at a 3-day-semiar-type-thing and a few churches, and that was great too!

Some of the greatest time I had over there was playing Canball (which is exactly like volleyball, except you can only use your feet and head... no hands...)with some seminary students. They were lots of fun! The first time I played with them, they let me use my hands 'cause I was like a gringo. But the second time... I was a native!

I've got a lot of pictures to post up, so hold on tight! It'll take me while though, I'm very busy right now...

Thanks so much for your prayers! Merry Christmas!

Kade

jess!

2009-12-14T08:59:00.002-06:00

haha, im now in the singapore airport on my way home! couldn't get to gmail, but it let me on the blog! my trip has been awesome!

kade

the creator things

2009-11-24T11:51:00.007-06:00

What should you be thankful for, what should you be thankful for the MOST, huh? This last Sunday our pastor talked about being thankful, but not just for the 'creatED' things, but especially for the 'creatOR' things.

Let me esplain: Created things would be like friends, your house, your computer, your dog, etc. The Creator things would be like Christ's love, and his sacrifice.

On Sunday, our pastor came up with this list to help you: I named these the SIX PACK.

(the top six things we should be thankful for)

1. Qualification for the Unqualified

2. Inheritance for the Bankrupt

3. Rescue from Captivity and Death

4. Transferal to Freedom and Life

5. Redemption from Slavery to Sin

6. Freedom from Sin's Penalty and Power

and here's a bonus one:

7. God's Promise of Tomorrow

Man Isn't that awesome! It better awesome to you, otherwise you might want to go home and re-think your life!

So try not to get so wrapped up in the CreatED things and focus more on this list.

Kade

Oh, and for a Thanksgiving gift, I put up a few new songs on the side. And be sure to listen to Rescue!

im giving it out

2009-11-18T09:48:00.008-06:00

Alright, today I'm giving out the amazing Jesus Blog Award.

And like I said before, and if the picture doesn't speak for itself, this award is for anyone and any blog that has shown and outspoken love for Jesus. (Yeah, I know, the picture kind of gave that away, huh? Darn...)

The link thing I'm going to leave up to you, if you don't mind linking the pic to us then that's great, but if you'd rather not, fine, be that way! Just kidding, do whatever you want.

I'm not going to copyright it or anything so Merry Christmas.

If anyone wants, they can help me pass out this award, but I'd appreciate it if you did tell whoever you give it to where it originated from.

And here's who I'm awarding right now right off the bat:
little brother's blog
Mia's Blog
Erin's Blog
Hannah's Blog
Alex's Blog
Bekah's Blog
Nikki's Blog
Caleb's Blog
Tori's Blog
Hannah's Blog
Camden's Blog
Urban Man's Blog
Michaila's Blog
Hope Journey
Nanci's Blog
Nay's Blog
Penn's Blog
Loca Chica
Josh's Blog
Holly's Blog
Bryant's Blog
Rachael's Blog
Joshua's Blog
J.J.'s Blog
Nicole's blog
Brooke's Blog
Caleb's Blog
Kevin's Blog
Earwin's Blog
Nicole K.'s blog
Jenna's Blog
Maddie's Blog

Man, that was a lot of work...
Later Ill have to get on everyone's blog to tell them, oh well. And if I didn't award you, and you want it, just comment, and Ill evaluate you. And if you DID get it, say thank you! :)

Kade

i know... shoot me

2009-11-11T13:53:00.003-06:00

It's been a long time.. i know... But I've been busy (i guess everyone is busy). But I thought I would just get on here to tell ya'll that im still alive, but i have no idea about Nick, Kole, and Luke. they may very well be dead.

My missions trip is coming up! very excited about that... Keep praying for me. I have all the support i need (money wise) and now im just waiting for time to go by. Btw. Im going to be going to a lot of orphanages out there, so just pray that i can make a difference to these kids! (I need to brush up on my magic tricks). :)

Yeah, and about that Jesus blog award thing, what do i do with it now? Do i go to people's blog and just say 'hey buddy, you got an award, go to my blog and grab it."? And do i link the award to our blog? (that way i can get a lot more hits...)? Anybody?

And so much for the poll... everyone said to post MORE, but that's the last thing we've been doing! Although i think we already knew that we should be posting more... rats.

About pictures though... i had no idea that we were supposed to be posting pictures! What pictures should i put up?
how 'bout this:

No? you don't like that? well...

Okay, I owe you guys one for me not posting for so long, so here's something for your entertainment, this is a great song:

ill post later,
kade

and here's another one just 'cause i like you guys so much. This is off of switchfoot's new album. Kole and i were playing it earlier and we sounded pretty good.

what do you think?

2009-10-13T22:31:00.004-05:00

soo... after doing some work, i came up with my own "blog award." It will be called the "Jesus" blog award, how about that!?! And it will be given to anyone who has an obvious love for Christ.

here's what it'll look like:

comment and tell me what you think!

kade

Question and Polls

2009-10-12T15:09:00.003-05:00

Hey I was just wondering what all these "blog awards" are? And I was also wondering why I don't have any... Naw, just kidding!.. But I was thinking about starting a "blog award" thing to give it out to people, but I don't really know how. So can anyone give me some info.?

kade

hey, on the poll you can select more than one answers, and if you have any other ideas, please give them!

little brother's blog

2009-10-07T09:59:00.001-05:00

Just wanted to let you guys know that my little brothers started a blog, go here to check it out and follow them. :)

Kade

Obsessed with Christ

2009-09-23T21:13:00.002-05:00

The Youth Group at Hope CBC is starting a new study on 1 Thessalonians. We are memorizing it at the same time, so we are familiar with the text and are able to remember what we learned.

Tonight was the third lesson in the study. We went over 1 Thessalonians 1:5-10. The "big idea" Tyler gave as he was teaching was this:

God wants more from (your name)

He began by saying that a Christian must be obsessed with Jesus. We as believers must be completely consumed by Christ -- in our thoughts, in our motives, in our actions, in everything. And that goes right along with our Sunday study in Colossians - "that Christ might come to have first place in everything."

Just a quick exhortation to live a cross-centered life. Be obsessed and pre-occupied with Jesus Christ. Leave the unbelieving world convicted and confused by your godly life.

Luke

my missions trip

2009-09-15T22:17:00.002-05:00

What!? A missions trip!?

A while back, a man came out to our church from Little Rock, AR and gave us a presentation of a ministry he's doing with a few other people. I was really moved by it and if the Lord wills, I will be going on a missions trip with him in December! The Lord is so amazing, I never thought I would go on a missions trip (at least, not to a place like this). But after his presentation, I was totally hyped about it.

Where we will be going:

Ha. Fooled you. I don't really know what I can and what I can't say online. And it's better to be safe than sorry. The place there is communist, and they're Buddhist, so it is illegal to bring Christianity there (we could get in trouble if we were caught there).

What this ministry does:

The main thing they do is build. Orphanages, churches, stores, etc. Anything to help the people out there. They don't actually build the buildings with their own hands, but they direct the money where it goes. So when they go out there they take a lot of cash.

What I will be doing:

Using the gifts the Lord has given me to minister to the people out there! Probably playing the guitar and singing, and working with a lot of the children out there, (many of whom are orphans).
What I need to get to go down there:

Three thousand smackers.

The worst part about the whole thing:

The shots. Dag-nab-it. I'll have to get them real soon now.

What to pray for right now:

1. That the Lord would work things out and allow me to go and serve.

2. That God would provide me the money I need.

3. The trip down there (it will be somewhat hazardous).

4. That I will be a great help and blessing to the believers out there.

5. The shots.

So go ahead and start praying for me, it's still a few months away, but everything is pulling together really quickly.

God bless,
Kade

Toby Mac's latest City on Our Knees

2009-09-05T08:31:00.001-05:00

-Nick

Until the Whole World Hears

2009-09-04T11:56:00.002-05:00

Here is Casting Crowns' latest! I first heard this new song at a Casting Crowns concert not long ago in Idaho Falls, ID with my youth group. Great song, even if you aren't crazy for the heavy beat. I think this is their most 'rocky' song. Great message though.

Nick

the candyman can

2009-08-31T14:16:00.000-05:00

isn't that the truth?
kade

motha' there is no otha'

2009-08-19T13:14:00.001-05:00

Here's the coolest song ever...
So treat her right!!
kade

awesome song by relient k

2009-08-06T11:40:00.002-05:00

Crayons Can Melt On Us For All I Care.

A little silly? Maybe. Profound? Definitely.

kade

make the most of your time

Rights of the Child vs. Parental Rights

2009-08-05T09:09:00.005-05:00

The Rights of the Child Amendment is a UN bill that they are trying to pass in the United States.

Here's 10 things that it would mean for parents:

1. Parents would no longer be able to administer reasonable spankings to their children.
2. A murderer aged 17 years and 11 months and 29 days at the time of his crime could no longer be sentenced to life in prison.
3. Children would have the ability to choose their own religion while parents would only have the authority to give their children advice about religion.
4. The best interest of the child principle would give the government the ability to override every decision made by every parent if a government worker disagreed with the parent’s decision.
5. A child’s “right to be heard” would allow him (or her) to seek governmental review of every parental decision with which the child disagreed.
6. According to existing interpretation, it would be illegal for a nation to spend more on national defense than it does on children’s welfare.
7. Children would acquire a legally enforceable right to leisure.
8. Christian schools that refuse to teach "alternative worldviews" and teach that Christianity is the only true religion "fly in the face of article 29" of the treaty.
9. Allowing parents to opt their children out of sex education has been held to be out of compliance with the CRC.
10. Children would have the right to reproductive health information and services, including abortions, without parental knowledge or consent.

Listen to that! Isn't that rotten! It's pretty much children being treated as adults! And the parents have no control over their own children!

Another issue that no one knows about:
This amendment also mentions a gun ban. In the bill it says that, "...children have the right to be raised in a gun-free environment..." That's the worst! Their going to sneak that lil' sweet-heart inta there!

The good news:
I found this sight, and they're proposing the 'Parental Rights Amendment'! They are "protecting children by empowering parents"! Isn't that Awesome!

GO HERE TO CHECK THEM OUT AND PUSH THIS AMENDMENT FORWARD!!!!

Kade

p.s. I put a new song on the side-bar.

p.p.s. Fight for your freedom! Now!

Will America's Government Kill Off Old People Like The Nazis Did?

2009-08-03T13:27:00.006-05:00

You know, I don't like to get into politics, but this is no longer politics; it's life.

The title you just read is true, and in the not-so-far future our government might do that very same thing! (For those of you who don't know, during WW II the Nazis killed off the elderly, crippled, and retarded in huge gas-chambered rooms, because the were a burden for the government to feed, take care of, provide, etc.).

But no, I don't think that our government will actually kill off the elderly, crippled, and retarded that way. Oh, no. Our government is more cleaver than that. Our government will do it in a much slier way that not even Hitler would've thought!

How will the government do it?...

Obama's Health care Plan.
(that's right, Hitler would've never thought about Obama's Health Care Plan)

With Obama's Health Care Plan, it makes Health Care the "government's hospital." And that means that the government can refuse health care to those whom they want. And who would that be? Those who are a burden on the economy! (Things get a lot deeper than this, I'm just saying it in the basics).

To find out more about Obama's Plan, just google it. Or go here to see what Araken has to say about things. (he goes a lot deeper on this subject than I do...) (I just said this to scare you out of your wits...)

Will anybody tell me what happened to the "...land of the free, home of the brave."?

Kade

Yesterday I was watching Star Wars III and I remember Padame saying this: "... so this is how democracy ends... with thunderous applause..."

GO HERE TO HELP STOP OBAMA'S HEALTH CARE PLAN!

*Announcer's voice* "...and now, coming up next... Kade Woodell's thoughts on 'The Rights of the Child Amendment'." (Oh man, is THAT something bad.)

(But that, my friends, is for another post...)

the eleventh hour

2009-07-30T12:49:00.003-05:00

Just wanted to share this awesome song by Jars of Clay with you.

In it, it says, "Rescue me from hanging on this life..."

Enjoy,
kade

p.s. don't worry, Nick will post soon.

CLEP?

2009-07-22T12:08:00.002-05:00

Principles of Management? passed. righteousssss. Praise God.

It was close, but I passed.

Thank you all for praying!

kade

CLEP

2009-07-22T09:02:00.002-05:00

I'm going to be taking a CLEP test today at 10:00, so please be praying for me!

kade

ONE COOL THOUGHT

2009-07-18T16:41:00.004-05:00

Man, I was just reading Kendra's blog, and I came across this cool thought:

Do you ever wonder sometimes why girls cradle little babies in their arms when they're young? Have you ever wondered why that annoying little boy down the street keeps aiming his little cap-gun at you and lettin' go?

That's the way God made us.

That sums up the roles of men and women.

Women were made to be good mothers and wives, and men were made to be protecters of their family.

Just think about God's design in that for a while, and next time that annoying little brat down the street starts shooting at you, just appreaciate God making him that way!

Give me your thought on this.

kade

p.s. this is a 'stall post' for Nick. He's going to post soon.

Busy!

2009-07-17T06:37:00.002-05:00

Hey all! Sorry I haven't posted recently - I've been absolutely crazy busy. Not that it makes my lack of posting any better, but I'm trying to juggle (and not doing very well) school, my job at chick-fil-a, and some programming work I signed a contract on. Also, today we're having some friends from Arizona fly in and I will be spending my free time (what is that anymore?) with them.

I'm definitely going to post. But right now, I have so many things that this blog is going to have to be on the back burner for a week or two more. As soon as I have the time I will post again.

God bless you all! Thanks for reading our blog.

Luke

Something 4 the 4th

2009-07-07T09:04:00.004-05:00

I'm going to post this up for the 4th because I really enjoyed reading this. It goes out to every man who fought to give us our freedom. This is the Soldier's Creed:

I am an American Soldier.

I am a Warrior and a member of a team.

I serve the people of the United States, and live the Army Values.

I will always place the mission first.

I will never accept defeat.

I will never quit.

I will never leave a fallen comrade.

I am disciplined, physically and mentally tough, trained and proficient in my warrior tasks and drills.

I always maintain my arms, my equipment and myself.

I am an expert and I am a professional.

I stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy, the enemies of the United States of America in close combat.

I am a guardian of freedom and the American way of life.

I am an American Soldier.

Kade

Nick & Vader

2009-06-27T14:52:00.004-05:00

Nick and his family was able to visit Arkansas this week and we had to have some fun! Luke had to work so he wasn't able to be apart of this and we were very disapointed. But have fun with this!

God Bless!

-Lifesavior

Smoke & Wineskins

2009-06-22T14:35:00.007-05:00

Today's part of Psalm 119 is verses 81-88. I've been reading this passage and saw that the author is speeking about the persecution that he is in. He says that he has become a 'wineskin in smoke'. If a wineskin is placed in smoke the skin will dry out and crack; then becoming useless.

So the author is saying that in his perscution he has 'cracked'. But in verse 88 he says, "Revive me according to Your lovingkindness, So that I may keep the testamony of Your mouth." What a very vivid image!

All For His Son's Glory!
-Kole

Thank you

2009-06-21T19:46:00.003-05:00

(Yes, I had to force him to give me the peace sign) :)

Hey guys, just wanted to thank you for your prayers and give you an update on how Kyler is doing.

First of all, let me tell you how he did it. The other day we went to Wal-mart (what would we do without Wal-mart?) and my dad got us two, mega, slip-and-slides! I didn't see what happened, but somehow he fell on his shoulder and snapped it.

When we went to the emergency room yesterday, they gave Kyler some major pain killer, and a brace (check out the picture). So far he's doing fine, and his pain is at a minimum.

So thank you all for praying! (and according to the comments, a lot of you did!).

But don't stop praying, 'cause Kyler still has a long road to travel until he's healed.

kade

quick prayer request- read!

2009-06-20T16:03:00.002-05:00

My brother (Kyler) just broke his collar bone about an hour ago, and was rushed into the emergency room. I don't know bad it is yet. so just pray. right now.

kade

fill you in later, gotta go...

Polls

2009-06-17T16:05:00.003-05:00

*deep cave-man voice*

Vote.

Now.

Economy of Mercy

2009-06-16T08:48:00.008-05:00

Psalm 119:77 “Let your mercy come to me, that I might live.”

I know. It’s a short verse. But it’s really great, because who here can live without God’s grace? Nobody. Everyday we continue on in this life; because of God’s grace and mercy. It is what is keeping us alive. Without it, we would stumble and fall… all the way back to Hell. Praise God for his mercy.

Praise God for shuffle. While I was posting this, I had the shuffle turned on, and God gave me this song. It’s called the Economy of Mercy (by Switchfoot). It says, ‘In the economy of mercy, I am a poor and begging man. And in the currency of grace, is where my song begins…’

Alright, it’s going to be a short post today, but I wanted to talk about something else too. At church this week, we are having our VBS! (Vacation Bible School) Party on!

I’d like for you guys to pray for:
1. salvation in these little guys.
2. for the teachers and helpers; that they wouldn’t stress.

But anyways, Kole, Luke, and I are helping out with it, and so far, yesterday went over real well. So please keep these things in mind!

Here's some pictures our pastor took:

kade

Kole and I practicing before hand with Nanci.
p.s. Nick is in Ohio right now, and rather busy, so I posted.

Godly Company

2009-06-12T21:34:00.003-05:00

Hey, everyone. My thoughts today come from Psalm 199:57-64. The section is marked by the Hebrew letter "Heth" (or "Cheth").

Psalm 119:57-64

57 The LORD is my portion;
I have promised to keep Your words.
58 I sought Your favor with all my heart;
Be gracious to me according to Your word.
59 I considered my ways
And turned my feet to Your testimonies.
60 I hastened and did not delay
To keep Your commandments.
61 The cords of the wicked have encircled me,
But I have not forgotten Your law.
62 At midnight I shall rise to give thanks to You
Because of Your righteous ordinances.
63 I am a companion of all those who fear You,
And of those who keep Your precepts.
64 The earth is full of Your lovingkindness, O LORD;
Teach me Your statutes.

The specific thought I want to draw on this evening (or morning, if you read it tomorrow) is from verse 63. "I am a companion of all those who fear you."

As Christians, we are bound together as the body of Christ. This verse isn't just saying that we shouldn't be negative toward other believers. It isn't even just saying that we should be friendly to everyone who professes Christ. It calls us to be companions. And not only to the Christians we know in our church, but to "all who fear You."

Rather than expounding this into a full post, I would like to make this a discussion. What comes to your mind when you think of companion? What are some practical applications we can make, knowing we are to be companions of all believers? I look forward so some good discussions in the comments.

Luke

P.S. Sorry for the short post, to be honest things are getting busier than ever before and I didn't make enough time to get a full post together this time around. I will do my best to get a full post together next time. In the meantime, I would like to have some good discussion on this verse.

yes, we've joined

2009-06-11T12:10:00.005-05:00

Hey guys, we just put up a media play list, so I guess we are now part of the 'cool group'.

But here's what I want you to do:
Comment and tell us whether you think that our music is edifying to you. And tell us whether or not we should keep the player up.

So go ahead and check out the music; hope you like it, and tell us your favorite song.

kade

p.s. maybe i should do a poll or something?

p.p.s. Luke should be posting soon.

The Great Blacksmith

2009-06-09T08:08:00.005-05:00

Well today it's my turn to post on the verse 49-56 in psalm 119, in the continuation of our series. In verse forty-nine it says, "Remember the word to Your servant, In which You have made me hope." I think that the "word" in this verse is referring to the Gospel, or the promise of a savior, because there is no comfort in the law for us.

Then verse fifty says, "This is my comfort in my affliction, That Your word has revived me." The Gospel is where we are to find our comfort in our times of trouble. And God uses affliction to teach us things, show his glory and power, and to conform us to the image of Christ.

My Dad told me a story this morning about this pastor who was taking a walk to find something to preach on, and he came upon a two men in a blacksmith shop. One of the men was using signs to tell the other where to hit and what to do, while the other obeyed his commands. After being confronted by the pastor about not really be a blacksmith, the manager replied, "This man here is mentally handicapped, and for all he knows, he's pounding it into nothing. But I am turning it into a work of art."

This story is an example of how God uses suffering and things that "hurt us" to shape us into something beautiful for His glory. God is the Great Blacksmith and we the dross-laden metal. Praise God for taking something as worthless as me, and using it for His Glory!

All For His Son's Glory!
-Kole

it's like, totally a make over

2009-06-08T17:58:00.005-05:00

Hey guys, we decided it was time for us to change up our blog up a little, so stay with me as I start changin' things up this week.

kade

socially unacceptableness

2009-06-07T16:34:00.009-05:00

(you like that word, right?... unacceptableness) (well, believe it or not, it's actually not a word, i made it up all by myself). :)

Psalm 119:46 "I will speak of your testimonies to kings, and will not be ashamed of it."

Tell me if you can relate to my story: Remembering back aways, there was this guy at an inner-city missions camp that I was going to (let's name him Willy). And one of the nights I was there, Willy was talking to his girlfriend over the phone- all night (The guys and girls were in totally separate buildings... miles apart). I, personally, think that having a girlfriend at Willy's age is probalby not the most profitable thing, much more, talking to her- all night! (Tell me if I'm not the only one). So the next day, I started talking to him about it- in front of probably ten guys. Then, one of the guys in the room, grabbed my arm and pulled me off aways, and then tried to get me to stop. You know why? Because the conversation I was having wasn't socially acceptable.

But you know what? Every conversation doesn't have to be socially acceptable! We should have some socially 'unacceptable' conversations! In fact, every time you share the gospel, it's socially unacceptable! Because God is socially unacceptable!

So my challenge for you is to, with your friends, have some socially unacceptable conversations. Not just for the sake of having socially unacceptable conversations, but to make God a socially acceptable topic.

Luke put up a song for me on the side-bar by the good... ol'... Dc talk. It's called Socially Acceptable. I don't really listen to Dc talk, but I remembered this song and decided to post it. My favorite line is this one: "...somethin's missin' and if you ask me, I think it's the G-O-D..."

kade

Cool Fact Numbero 1 At The End Of My Post: You know what's pretty cool? Every religion besides Christianity has it's reasons to be ashamed (espcially evolutionists). But in Christ, we have nothing to be ashamed of! God's word has no flaws!

Attention: Alright, I need you guys to help me out here. If you can see our music player and it plays the song, comment: 'Aye'. If you can't see it, or it won't work, comment: 'Nay'. But either way, comment! Thanks.

Cool Fact Numbero 2 At The End Of My Post: This is one of my longest posts! Ha, ha. :)

Psalm 119:37

2009-06-05T16:42:00.002-05:00

Psalm 119:37 – Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, and revive me in Your way.

Well it seems that people today still struggle with things that people way back then did! I am reminded of Fireproof. If you have seen it, you will remember the ‘parasites’ that the diary Caleb read was talking about, and that they MUST be removed. Well, it is very hard -- especially these days – to stay away from those things. Ads in the newspaper, everywhere on the internet, commercials on TV… it is everywhere. Here David pleads that God would help keep his eyes on what matters and is worthwhile. I encourage you to watch out when you are doing the everyday stuff, that you would guard your eyes from worthless things.

Also, I would like to post a link to a California confrence that some of the youth from my church is going to: http://www.resolved.org/ It is hosted by MacArthur's church, and has a lot of great speakers. You can find a video about it, who is speaking there, and other things. I will not be a part of it because we are traveling. Get to go see the Creation Museum!

P.S. I just experienced my first WY thunderstorm! It wasn’t very big, but our electricity flicked on and off.

--Nick

go ahead; waste your summer

2009-06-03T14:20:00.005-05:00

Nick kind of fumbled with the whole 'posting thing', so I'm taking over for him today. I'm guessing he'll probably post tomorrow or the day after tomorrow.

So what are you going to do with you summer? I hope you don't waste it. What an awful thing to do! God gives you a perfect time when you don't have to the distraction of school, and what do you do? Yep, you guessed it, find something else to occupy your time with! To think; that you waste your God-given time on things that just don't matter! Mr. T pities the fool who wastes his summer!

Now, I'm not saying that it's wrong to have some fun during summer. That's fine! But be sure not to waste it.

So leave a comment and tell us what you're going to be doing with your summer. It's alright to tell us that your going on vacation to Alaska, but try and tell us something spiritual too!

kade

Resolve to Be in God's Word

2009-06-01T18:55:00.002-05:00

Psalm 119:25-32

25 My soul cleaves to the dust;
Revive me according to Your word.
26 I have told of my ways, and You have answered me;
Teach me Your statutes.
27 Make me understand the way of Your precepts,
So I will meditate on Your wonders.
28 My soul weeps because of grief;
Strengthen me according to Your word.
29 Remove the false way from me,
And graciously grant me Your law.
30 I have chosen the faithful way;
I have placed Your ordinances before me.
31 I cling to Your testimonies;
O LORD, do not put me to shame!
32 I shall run the way of Your commandments,
For You will enlarge my heart.

When I told my dad about how we would be going through Psalm 119 for the blog, he provided me with a great resource to stir my thoughts for my posts - “The Treasury of David,” a commentary on the Psalms by Charles Spurgeon. I read some of Spurgeon's notes on this section, and my post borrows the structure he pointed out in these verses.

The letter this section starts with is Daleth, or D. Spurgeon writes, “It sings of Depression, in the spirit of Devotion, Determination, and Dependence.”

In verse 25, the author is in sorrow as he writes, “my soul cleaves to the dust.” Again in verse 28, “my soul weeps because of grief.” In this grief, he makes seven petitions of God - “revive me,” “teach me,” “make me understand,” “strengthen me,” “remove the false way from me,” “graciously grant me your law,” and “do not put me to shame.”

As with the entire chapter, the answer to all troubles, including this sadness, is God's Word. In each of these requests is a reference to the means of joy. The only thing that can cure the sorrowful soul is the written Word of God.

After these, the author makes a resolution and states it in three ways. First, he says, “I have chosen the faithful way.” Second, he writes, “I cling to your testimonies.” Finally, in verse 32, “I shall run the way of Your commandments.” He has chosen his path, he has been equipped by God's Word, and the final step is to run in that path.

For us, I'd like to take three applications from this text. To make it easy to remember, I've come up with three R's for your consideration. First, Request. Pray! Talk to the Lord at all times, but especially during rough times when your soul is grieving. Come to Jesus, “casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). Bring your petitions to God.

It's also important that you know the means God will use to answer your requests, and that's the second R – Read. If you only get one thing from reading Psalm 119, you'll see the importance the author places on God's Word. It's repeated in nearly all the verses, called by various names. This section is no exception. Be in God's Word together with diligent prayer and He will answer you and “enlarge [your] heart.” The life, the strength, the truth, the honor, and the glory of the Christian is God and His Word.

Finally, Resolve. David here resolves to follow God's precepts – so should we. As I said before, this resolution comes in three parts – choose the path, be equipped with the Bible, and then follow that path.

Every time I think of resolutions, I am reminded of Jonathan Edwards. That's a whole 'nother post for a whole 'nother day, but I'll close with one of his many resolutions (and I encourage you to look up his resolutions sometime, they are incredible examples).

Resolution 63
On the supposition, that there never was to be but one individual in the world, at any one time, who was properly a complete Christian, in all respects of a right stamp, having Christianity always shining in its true luster, and appearing excellent and lovely, from whatever part and under whatever character viewed: Resolved, to act just as I would do, if I strove with all my might to be that one, who should live in my time.

Request, Read, and Resolve!

For Christ!

Luke

Understanding God's Law

2009-05-30T16:57:00.004-05:00

Well this is post two hundred and a great milestone! I am pretty excited about this series on psalm 119. My section is called gimel, verses 17-24; but I just want to give you one thing you can take away from these verses.

In verse 18 the author says, "Open my eyes that I may see wondrous things from your law." Here the author is asking God to grant him understanding of God's word, which shows us that apart from Gods working of the Holy Spirit we are not able to understand the truth of God's word. There are many tools that God uses to fill us with the Holy Spirit but I only want to talk about two of them that are mentioned in this text.

"Open my eyes..."The first tool that is mentioned in this text is prayer. We need God to open our eyes and let us see the truths and glories in His word.

"...that I may see wondrous things from your law." And the Second is that we be in the word! God is not going to strike us with a divine lightning of the knowledge of His word. We need to be in it constantly. Without praying and reading God's word we won't get beyond what we can understand in ourselves!

All For His Son's Glory!
-Kole

11,910- yeah it's a cool number

2009-05-29T08:35:00.004-05:00

Psalm 119:10 "With my whole heart I have sought after you; Oh, let me not wander from your commandments!"

Is this true about you? Do you seek after God with your whole heart? Or how 'bout even half-a-heart? I find myself falling short... all the time.

Psalm 119:11 "Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against you."
One of the greatest things that you can do to strive after God is by reading his word.

Put it this way; let's say you like someone; let's say... Chuck Norris. And if you're going to strive after... Chuck Norris, you'll probably read what he has to say, or watch his movies.

So it's the same way with God! If you're going to strive after him, you won't just do nothing! You'll read his word!

So here's my challenges:
1. Strive after God with your whole heart by reading his word; meditating on it; memorizing it.
2. Don't strive after worthless things.

(btw, the title 11,910 stands for Ps. 119:10)
kade

numero uno

2009-05-28T19:45:00.002-05:00

Psalm 119:1 "Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord!
2Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, who seek Him with the whole heart.
3They also do no iniquity; they walk in His ways.
4You have commanded us to keep Your precepts diligently.
5Oh, that my ways were directed to keep Your statutes!
6Then I would not be ashamed, when I look into all Your commandments.
7I will praise You with uprightness of heart, when I learn Your righteous judgments.
8I will keep Your statutes; Oh do not forsake me utterly!"

Ok. So this is the first post of a 22 (?) post series. We will be rotating on each post, and I believe Kade is next. We will be taking out what we learned out of either the whole section, or a particular verse that really stuck out to us. Take a deep breath, and here we go on a long journey through Psalms 119!

Here David starts out by blessing those who walk in the way of the Lord (verses 1-3), to praying that his ways would be directed to His statutes (verses 5-6), to ending that he would keep God’s statutes (verse 8) and follow Him with an upright heart (verse 7), asking God not to forsake him ‘utterly’ (verse 8). I will admit it is difficult to try and find something that I can post on that we could apply to our lives other than what is clearly written out here, but there is one thing that stuck out to me about David. It seems that he not only has a great desire to follow God, but 1) he has a great respect for those who do (verses 1-3), and 2) and he has a desire for everyone to do the same as he is (verse 4). Being the first post I will leave it at that, and I WILL try to get more detailed as I get the hang of this. If there is anything that you want to point out on this (or any of our posts), please feel free to post a comment saying so.

Have a great day and please pray about this big ‘undertaking’ we are doing!!

-Nick

Posting Plan - Psalm 119

2009-05-26T19:30:00.002-05:00

Hey everyone!

Until now we've always posted about different things - whatever we want, whenever we want. I thought to myself, "Why don't we do something where the posts are related?"

So we've decided to go through Psalm 119. The psalm has 22 sections, each representing a different letter of the Hebrew alphabet. For each section, one of the four of us will make a post. It may be about the whole section, or just a single phrase in a verse. Whatever stands out to us in the section, we'll post on.

We're on a rotation, and Nicholas has agreed to post on the first section. Be looking forward to it, and the whole set of posts we will have. I hope this will be beneficial both to you and to us, and by God's sovereign will I hope that we can encourage our brethren in Christ and reach unbelievers for Him.

In Christ,

Luke

nothin' to do with anything christian

2009-05-25T07:29:00.003-05:00

Alright, this has nothing to do with anything 'Christian' but I got such a kick out of this that I had to post it up! I got this from Kevin's blog.

This is 'how to annoy someone on an elevator':

1) CRACK open your briefcase or handbag, peer Inside and ask "Got enough air in there?"

2) STAND silent and motionless in the corner facing the wall without getting off.

3) WHEN arriving at your floor, grunt and strain to yank the doors open, then act as if you're embarrassed when they open themselves.

4) GREET everyone with a warm handshake and ask him or her to call you Admiral.

5) MEOW occasionally.

6) STARE At another passenger for a while. Then announce in horror: "You're one of THEM" - and back away slowly.

7) SAY -"DING" at each floor.

8) SAY "I wonder what all these do?" And push all the red buttons.

9) MAKE explosion noises when anyone presses a button.

10) STARE, grinning at another passenger for a while, then announce: "I have new socks on."

11) WHEN the elevator is silent, look around and ask: "Is that your beeper?"

12) TRY to make personal calls on the emergency phone.

13) DRAW a little square on the floor with chalk and announce to the other passengers: "This is my personal space."

14) WHEN there's only one other person in the elevator, tap them on the shoulder, then pretend it wasn't you.

15) PUSH the buttons and pretend they give you a shock. Smile, and go back for more.

16) ASK if you can push the button for other people but push the wrong ones.

17) HOLD the doors open and say you're waiting for your friend. After a while, let the doors close and say "Hi Greg, How's your day been?"

18) DROP a pen and wail until someone reaches to help pick it up, then scream: "That's mine!"

19) BRING a camera and take pictures of everyone in the lift.

20) PRETEND you're a flight attendant and review emergency procedures and exits with the Passengers.

21) SWAT at flies that don't exist.

22) CALL out "Group hug" then enforce it.

23) If the lift is full of women you look at the floor and say, "Nobody move their feet, my pet rat is on the loose". (Spiders and roaches work good too).

24) SPEAK into a mobile phone and say, "Yeah, the doctor said it was very contagious."

kade

Ida, the Missing Link?

2009-05-19T21:27:00.001-05:00

Hey guys! I am sure most of you have heard, but evolutionists claim that they have found the 'missing link'. This lemur-like fossil, however, shows no signs of evolution. Here is a good link I found (of course, it is AiG): http://answersingenesis.org/articles/2009/05/19/ida-missing-link

Nick

isolation

2009-05-18T11:02:00.007-05:00

Proverbs 18 "Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment."

When you get mad or upset, what is the first thing that you want to do? Alright. Besides hitting someone, what else would you want to do? Isolate yourself, right? Run to your room... retreat... get out of there... slam doors... beat up the little beany-bag monkey that's laying on your bed... jump up and down and then try to pull your hair out but then, realizing that it hurts, you stop... you would then punch the wall and then hold your knuckles... grab the remote and slam it on your desk until the batteries fall out... rip the poster of Legolas off of your wall and then realize that you liked that poster and wish you wouldn't have done that... then, in your anger, you spill the coffee that was on your night-stand and make a nasty looking stain on your carpet... and then, finally, you throw yourself onto your bed and beat your face with the pillow.

Alright, maybe not that drastic.

But anyways, isolating yourself is not good. Because you are running away from all wisdom. And instead of listening to the wisdom, you throw yourself a pity party! Woo-ho! Party on! -It's fun to stay at the Y-M-C-A. Yeah it's fun to stay at the Y-M-C-A! Ha, ha, ha, ha! You 'break out against all sound judgement.' You're mildewing in your bed with the slime falling down onto the floor. You're getting mad at everyone and everything. You think that you are the one who's absolutely right... (believe me, I know how it is). And you think that everyone else is stupid and mean.

So next time when you're having a problem with someone, instead of retreating to your room and mildewing- stand, and try to work the problem out, for it will do you no good to isolate yourself.

kade

Life in WY, and a question

2009-05-11T18:30:00.007-05:00

Well, it has been a super (emphasis on 'super') long time since I have posted on here! Sorry, but I don't really have anything really for you all except an update and a little science. :) As you know, I love science and can talk all day about it, right Kole? ha. Anyways, here goes:

My pastor started the Jackson Hole Bible College a few years ago and it is growing very fast. It is a one year college were students go out to various places (like: Mt. St. Helens, the Grand Canyon, and Yellowstone to name a few) and learn about the geography and how the universe came to be. The college has the highest amount of PhD doctors in the entire state of Wyoming. Most come from Answers in Genesis (and for those of you who are new to Life Savior, my pastor is the Chairman of the Board of Directors. He and Ken Ham-- founder of AiG-- are close friends) like Dr. Lisle (who I went and saw... really cool!) and Dr. Menton. Anybody who goes to Jackson Hole Community Bible Church is allowed to sit in on the college classes (but they don't get any credit). :) The point of this paragraph that I want to make is that the college students just graduated two weeks ago on Sunday. Very sad! They were a neat group of kids (20 in all). Below are some pictures.

So last Saturday dad and I went rafting on the Snake River! It was incredible! Alone on that 2 hour float trip we saw: osprey, a golden eagle, elk, an otter, lots of pelicans (believe it or not we DO have pelicans here!), a variety of ducks, three muskrats, beaver dams (but no beavers), canadian geese, and more that won't come to my memory. :) The Grand Teton National Park has the most wildlife I have ever seen in one area!

Unfortunately, evolution here abounds. In fact, the other day (Sunday I think) I saw a bumpersticker that said, "Keep your theology out of my biology"... yeah. However, I can't see how in the world somebody could see the beauty of this place, and say that! It is just one of too many examples of the fallen world we live in.

So now for something I have been learning. Our pastor is doing a series speaking in Revelation, which he has been in since last April (a year ago!). However, I just thought, I will actually ask a question first and then (after your comments) answer with a post. Here it is:

When a Christian dies, where does he/she go?

When a non-christian dies, where does he/she go?

So please comment on that and I will post eventually on it! :)

--Nick

the only man in town with a ferrari

2009-05-03T16:35:00.009-05:00

Once upon a time there was a man. But he was not just an ordinary man; he was a rich man. Filthy... rich. He had everything a person could ever want (and maybe a little more). But he was still missing something; something that he did not know.

So one day, this man heard about a revival meeting, and there was going to be a guest speaker there, so he decided to go. When this man pulled up into the parking lot, he was the only person there who had a Ferrari.

The man smoothly got out of his car and walked up to the door of the building. After looking through the glass door once, the man proceeded in.

Once inside, the man pulled off his sun glasses and clipped them in his shirt pocket. As the man looked around him, he noticed that there was singing coming through one of the doors. Thinking that it was the place where the revival was going on, the man decided to enter.

When the man opened the door, he entered a room filled with the spirit. Throughout the service, the man was moved. He knew that the people here had something that he didn't have. So when the service was over the man approached the guest speaker and asked, "Um... dude? How can I gain this heaven-thing you were talkin' about?" The guest speaker smiled upon the man and replied, "If you want eternal life, go, and sell all that you have and give it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven."

But when the man heard what the guest speaker said, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

kade

Short Post

2009-05-03T15:56:00.002-05:00

Busy day, short post. Just wanted to let you all know my every day posting is over, the three other bloggers want their turn now lol. Kade has a post ready for tomorrow, so be looking forward to that.

I'm too busy to post anything very deep or thought provoking - I'm about to head out with my family. So I'll just say keep your mind fixed on Jesus, and be waiting for our next post.

Until next time! God bless you all!

Luke

Persistence

2009-05-02T07:58:00.000-05:00

Hello, everyone. It's a great morning for a new post, don't you think?

Last night was Pizza Movie Night at my house. The youth group came to our house and we watched a movie and ate pizza (duh!). The movie we watched was Wall-E. In case you don't know, Wall-E is about two robots who basically just go through a lot of trouble to get a plant to the captain of a space cruise ship - that's the "directive."

Well as in all our youth events, the youth staff always bring something from God's word. When it's Pizza Movie Night, they try to relate it somewhat to the movie we watch. Last night, Chris encouraged us on diligence and persistence. He related the persistence of the robots in Wall-E to the parable of the woman who was persistent with the unrighteous judge. In the parable, the woman comes to this judge who didn't really care at all, but because of her diligence the judge gave in and helped her.

And our Father in heaven is not like that judge. He is righteous, and He cares for you greatly. So we as Christians not only are able to, but are commanded to come before Him in prayer and cast our burdens on Him. So this morning I encourage you as Chris encouraged the youth last night to be persistent in prayer. Just because the Lord hasn't answered doesn't mean He won't answer - pray, and it will be all in His good timing.

On a sidenote, be praying for Lamb's Fair today, for the number of children who come, the souls of the children who are there, and that it would glorify God.

For God's Glory!

Luke

Christlikeness

2009-05-01T07:34:00.003-05:00

First day of the month! It's a great day to post on godly things.

My dad and I are going through a study together on Christlikeness. The author addressed what gets in the way of Christlikeness - pride and selfishness. He then wrote about what God's will for Christians are (Christian men in particular). He finally wrote about how to get to where we need to be (which is following Christ's example), and he said this profound statement:

"The emphasis of this word (typos, Greek for "example") is not necessarily on the perfection of the resulting copy, but rather on the careful attention given to the perfect example and on the determined purpose of following it."

Those two phrases got my attention and I'm trying to keep this in my mind. We need to give careful attention to Christ as the perfect example - this is as simple as asking the question, "what would Jesus do?" But beyond simply looking at the perfect example, we must have the determined purpose to be like Him.

Later in the chapter, the writer mentions that before a builder builds, he does surveying first. The same is true for Christians. We should take a look at our lives, and see what needs to be built - what is lacking that needs to be built in your life?

There are three steps here. 1) Consider your life, 2) Compare it to Christ, 3) Be determined to follow Christ - build your life to make it look like Jesus. Give careful attention to Christ, and have a determined purpose to follow Him as your example.

Luke

The Cost of Worship

2009-04-30T09:32:00.006-05:00

Last night at youth group, Chris was teaching about 2 Samuel 24. The context is a sin of David - he pridefully numbered the people of Israel. God disciplined him by bringing three days of pestilence on the land (killing 70,000 men of Israel). The pestilence ended, and David was bringing an offering before God at the threshing floor of Araunah. Araunah makes a generous and sacrificial offer - he offers to give the floor to David at no cost.

In 2 Samuel 24:24, David replies to Araunah,

"However, the king said to Araunah, "No, but I will surely buy it from you for a price, for I will not offer burnt offerings to the LORD my God which cost me nothing" So David bought the threshing floor..."

This is the true attitude of worship. Too often we think of worship as actions we do, but true worship includes an attitude of worship, and worship without sacrifice is not true worship at all. Doing worshipful acts without a heart of worship and without offering a sacrifice to God, this is worth little.

As I posted yesterday, I continue to encourage you. Don't offer one-handed, half-hearted, non-sacrificial worship and service to the Lord of all things who chose you for adoption as sons and daughters. Give Him your all. Consider nothing worth more than God - consider all as a sacrifice before the Lord.

Luke

Off topic, with this post I've made April the most active posting month on this blog this year with 5 posts. That's pathetic lol. That's my fault for being inactive. Next month we will do more, or at least I will. Let's get back to the golden days, like the 41 posts from March 2008 lol.

Two Hands

2009-04-29T08:47:00.002-05:00

Hey all! Jars of Clay came out with their new album, Long Fall Back to Earth, last week. I bought it on release day, and I recommend buying it - it's really good!

I mention the CD because of a song on it called "Two Hands." It reminded me of how I treat God sometimes:

I use one hand to pull you closer

The other to push you away

It is a constant battle between the Christian's sinful flesh and the Spirit of God inside him or her. The apostle Paul said, "For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another." (Galatians 5:17). The goal of all believers is mentioned in the chorus of the song:

If I had two hands

Doing the same thing

Lifted high, lifted high

So a quick encouragement today - pray that God would enable you to use both hands in His service today, and not just one. A half-hearted, "one-handed" service is not what God wants - He wants our all. Don't do the minimum you feel will let you squeak by, but be diligent; pursue godliness with maximum effort.

I've put up the song "Two Hands" in the player on the sidebar so you can check it out.

God bless!

Luke

-phil

2009-04-27T18:00:00.003-05:00

Well, Thursday night Kade and I went with some friends to a church in Harrison, which is about an hour and forty-five minutes away. And do you know what we did? We went to a Phil Wickham concert! And if you didn't know, he is my favorite musician! The music was great and I loved the new songs he did!

I meant to bring my cd for him to sign, but I forgot it. So I ended up having him sign the shirt I bought there! I also had him sign the shirt I was wearing, and my shoes! It was really cool because I was wearing white Pumas, and he signed it with a purple pen! But one of the coolest things was that I got to talked with Phil's wife (Nice lady. They got married in February) and I found out that Phil (or at least his wife) knew me from posting on his blog! Incredible night!

All For His Son's Glory!
-Kole

P.S. I also passed my Driver's test on Wednesday, and got my license on Friday!

Shine On, Shine On!!

2009-04-13T17:14:00.002-05:00

Here's a music video we put up. It's a great song, and one of my favorite music videos.

Matthew 5:14 "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before all men that they may see your good works, and glorify your father who is in heaven."

From Needtobreathe with love,
Kade

Drivers Test

2009-04-02T20:04:00.002-05:00

Yesterday I took a driving test... and failed... sad isn't it. I was disappointed, but the Lord knows what's best. Just another good reminder that God is sovereign and is using disappointments to bring us closer to him. For some reason it wouldn't have been good for me to pass. Maybe I was hoping to find happiness in that instead of in Christ (and his coming which Pastor Ed talked a little about at youth group)! I might have been to proud had I passed. But whatever the reason for God not giving us what we want, when we want it, we need to be thankful for what we have and understand that if God has saved us we need nothing else! Jaroslav Pelikan said these as some of his last words, “If Christ is risen, nothing else matters. And if Christ is not risen— nothing else matters.”

All For His Son's Glory!
-Kole

Let My Shadow Prove the Sunshine

2009-03-12T13:55:00.005-05:00

A little while ago, I was thinking about how some songs talk about how we should be like the moon in the sense of reflecting Gods glory; and how over used that image is. But I was listening to a song by Switchfoot called "The Shadow Proves the Sunshine," and the song just talks about wanting Christ to show His glory all the more brightly on us, that others might see the "shadow" of our lives and know there is a God, and a Savior! He says near the end of the song "Shine on me... Let my shadow prove the Sunshine." Let my life show more of Your glory for others to see! And that is a payer that we should all be singing!

-Kole

P.S. I will try to put the song up on the sidebar!

Edit: This is Luke, I got the song up for you!

To-day's your birthday wish ya' many more...

2009-02-23T17:49:00.011-06:00

Who's birthday is it?... It's Luke's! Yeah! Wow! Awesome! Yes! Boo-yeah! Party on! Where's the cake?! Exciting! Amazing! Unbelievable! He's seventeen! Remarkable! Inconceivable! Astounding! It's Phenomenal!

Well actually, it was last Friday. You missed it. But we didn't! We went to Mad Pizza to celebrate. It was a lot of fun and I think Luke enjoyed it. We put up a couple of pictures here so you could be part of the celebration. The day before the party Luke and Kole went out shopping for clothes. So as you can see Luke looked very studish. Is that a word, studish? Anyways, have fun with the pictures!

Dance Luke, dance! (That's DDR)And what-der yer know, Nick flew all the way out from Wy just for Luke's birthday, how sweet!

-Kade and Life savior, happy birthday Luke!

Stay tuned, we might get up a video of Luke doing DDR!

(You know Nick didn't fly all the way out here, right? It's a joke. We just wanted to include Nick in Luke's party, so we photo-shopped him in there.)

30 Hour Famine

2009-02-23T12:53:00.002-06:00

Hey guys!

During Friday and Saturday (12:00 p.m. Friday, to 6:00 p.m. Saturday) I participated in the 30 Hour Famine with my Youth Group here in Jackson, WY. What is the 30 Hour Famine (30HF)? It is where youth all around the US raise money and fast for 30 hours! The money that we raised will be sent to World Vision, which is an organization who feeds children in 3rd world countries and right here in the USA. But, why raising money to help feed children, and be ignorant of what they have to go through day after day? That is why we fast, so that we actually feel what the kids we are helping go through. Now, we didn't 'hard core' fast, that is fast on just water. We did have juice, which helped some. :) We started not eating at 12:00 in the afternoon on Friday, and ate dinner at church on Saturday around 6:15. (Actually we had a joke going around: The kids in the youth group who go to the Acadamy didn't get Lunch Break until 12:00, so they started at 12:15. The joke is, the Homeschoolers fasted for not only 30 hours, but 15 MORE minutes!! :D ha) At 7ish Friday night we all met up at church where we staid for 24 hours. All night we were playing Dodgeball (that one took more than 3 hours), and Romans and Christians, which is kind of like tag in the dark. We all got to bed around 3 in the morning, and I only got 3 hours of sleep... Most everyone else (three other youth and I were up earlier so we played Settlers of Catan) slept until 11:30 or 12:00!

It was a lot of fun, but only a very small taste of what kids in Africa and other places go through EVERY DAY.

Nick

Strong Tower

2009-02-18T10:30:00.007-06:00

"The name of the Lord is a Strong Tower; The righteous run to it and are safe." Proverbs 18:10

"For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe." Psalm 61

In the Bible it says that Christ is our Strong Tower. When I think of a 'Strong Tower'
I would probably think about Minas Tirith (see below). But in the movie it is broken and beaten. God's tower can never be broken. If the Bible says that Christ is our Strong Tower, what do you think his tower would look like? Amazing! Completely ridiculous! The walls would be a hundred feet thick with guns all around it, booby traps and all... You get the point. The righteous who flee to him, God will protect.

But sometimes -strike that- a lot of times we will stray from that Strong Tower; from God's loving arms. And that is where we meet the foe and worldly influences.

Kade

Anniversary of the Blog!

2009-02-16T16:40:00.006-06:00

Sometime ago, at the beginning of this month, was the one year anniversary of this blog! I want to say that it's sad that I am posting about it so late, but I want to start posting more regularly. But for now I just want to post up one on the great quotes that we have talked about before and some of the other quotes from the same book.

"Only one life,

'Twill soon be passed;

Only what's done

for Christ will Last."

"He is most Glorified in us

When we are most satisfied

in Him."

"(But) Suffering with Jesus on the Calvary road

of love is not merely the result of magnifying Christ;

It is also the Means."

"What you love determines what you feel shame about.

If you love for men to make much of you, you will

feel shame when they don't. But if you love for men

to make much of Christ, then you will feel shame

if he is belittled on your account."

"Death is a threat to the degree that it frustrates

your main goals... Paul treasured Christ most, and his goal

was to magnify Christ. And he saw death not as a frustration

of that goal but as an occasion for its fulfillment"

"The way we die reveals the worth of Christ on our hearts."

And Last "The world is not impressed when Christians get rich

and say thanks to God. They are impressed when God is so satisfying

that we give our riches away for Christ's sake and count is gain."

P.S. The book these quotes come from is a book by John Piper called "Don't Waste Your Life"

Read it!

All For His Son's Glory,

-Kole

Update from WY

2009-01-30T14:28:00.006-06:00

Well, it sure has been a while since you last heard of me on this blog! So, all I will do right now is post a couple pictures from here in the North.

The mountains are beautiful here! We go skiing quite often, and see a ton of animals (I actually saw a moose on the ski resort!) It is hard to believe that people can say that this mountain range was created by random chance!!

We did a little research before we got here on the local churches so that we would hopefully not have to go through what we did in Arkansas, church searching for several months (there is not enough churches here to go too long but we thought it a good idea anyways)! We found a church called Jackson Hole Community Bible Church and tried to look it up, but we couldn't because they do not have a website that is operational. We did, however, find their statement of faith on a college's (Jackson Hole Bible College) website. Turns out, the students are required to go to this church. We thought that would be neat since we have gone to a church before that had a lot of college students coming to it. So, JHCBC (our church) was the first one we tried and we still have not left it! Our pastor, Pastor Landis, is a great pastor and is also the Chairman of the Board of Directors for Answers in Genesis.

Already I have gotten involved with the Youth Group, and we just had a guy's lock-in in which we played airsoft, Romans and Christians (that didn't turn out so well as one of the youth got his finger slammed in a door), we played an X-Box that someone brought, and we watched a movie. But before that, a group from church (called Right to Life), which is composed of some youth and adults, held a fund raiser dinner at a church called River Crossing. (sorry the picture turned out fuzzy)

But one thing that is really cool is the chairlifts at the Village (ski resort). If you go on a chairlift and have an extra space open for someone to sit they will let a single person ride with you (speeds up the lines). It is a great way to evangelize! I have met folks from Michigan, Louisianna, Kentucky, Tenessee, England, and more! I am going to have to carry tracts on me and talk with people about the Bible whenever I get on longer lifts (the one I am typically on is only 4 minutes long).

--Nick

While You Were Sleeping

2009-01-23T12:38:00.006-06:00

Hello everyone! Sorry for the procrastination on putting up the video for While You Were Sleeping. But better late than never, right? Here it is, just for you!

Note: I edited out our introduction as Life Savior because there was about 1 minute of getting set up after that. Then, to make it worse, I started in the wrong key. So, I cropped it to when we actually started, and I was actually in the right key.

Here's a link to the video on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykfebamhtLQ

I will also be putting this up on the sidebar.

God bless you all,

Luke

The Man Who Was Thursday

2009-01-04T16:26:00.003-06:00

Today I finished a book by G.K. Chesterson called "The Man Who Was Thursday" and I would encourage you to get a copy either from your dad (if he has a library :) That's how I got it!) or get it from the library. It's a little bit hard to understand it all, but I was able to learn a lot even though it's not strictly spiritual. Here are just a couple of things that I learned while reading the book. There is one part in the book, I don't want to give to much up, but all these men are discussing what they think about this certain person, and the main character gives this statement;

"When if first saw (blank) I only saw his back; and when I saw his back, I knew he was the worst man in the world. His neck and shoulders were brutal, like those of some apish god. His head had a stoop of an ox. In fact, I had at once the revolting fancy that this was not a man at all, but a beast dressed up in men's clothes... And then a queer thing happened. I had seen his back from the street, as he sat on the balcony. Then I entered the hotel, and coming around the other side of him, saw his face in the sunlight. His face frightened me, as is did everyone; but not because it was brutal, not because it was evil. On the contrary, it frightened me because it was so beautiful, because it was so good."

When I read this I thought about God. How people hate God or the idea of a God because of how things seem to be, not as they are. But those who see his face (those who are saved) really see who God is!

P.S. I read the afterward, and one thing that I thought was really cool was that when his wife was asked who had converted her to catholicism, she said, "the devil" . :)

P.P.S. We're going to try to get up the video this week of the performance! Be looking!

-Kole

Rembrandt and The Cross

2008-12-13T15:17:00.002-06:00

A long time ago, I posted on this picture and a couple of songs we did on sunday reminded me of it so I wanted to just share this again to the people who haven't heard it. It is a painting done by a man named Rembrandt. I love this Picture because Rembrandt actually painted himself (with his painters cap) putting up the cross of Christ! He saw that it was he had put Christ on the tree, and it reminded me of the passage in Romans 8 that says that we were enemies of God! When I think of an enemy, I think of hatred.. We hated God! But Christ showed us mercy and it says in a few verses before that God demonstrates his love to us by what he did on the cross! His' love is still being demonstrated to us by what he did on the cross two thousand years ago! But my point is that Rembrandt saw himself as a enemy..a hater.. of God! I think when we see who we were, and what God has done, the gospel becomes that much more glorious to us!

All For His Son's Glory!
-Kole

New Media Player

2008-12-11T11:11:00.005-06:00

I took the liberty of programming a fancy, custom media player for OurLifeSavior. Check it out and let me know what you think! The other one was messed up because it didn't work on the internet browser Safari and it didn't allow you to see the name of the song directly in it. With the new one, you can see the title of the song right on there, and it just looks better.

Try it out and let me know what you think! I'd be glad to add features if you have suggestions. You can click the play button to start it. Generally, it should say the artist and title of the song once it's ready to play.

In addition, I put the song "While You Were Sleeping" in the media player--the song that Kole, Kade and I will be playing for Candlelight Service. We still need votes on our name--don't forget to vote, if you haven't already!

Edit: I've added a function for the media player. Right click it to access it. It is "AutoStart," which makes the song start when you enter the page (without hitting play). Unless you have it blocked, it will save your preference for next time you visit.

Edit 2: I added a loading display. When the song begins, the area behind the song title will be gray. While the song is loading, the background will show a progress bar from gray to red, and when it is fully red it is fully loaded.

God bless!

Luke

Vote Now!!...And Hurry!!

2008-12-09T16:45:00.003-06:00

Luke, Kade, and I (without Nick because he moved...sad...) will be performing a song called "While you were sleeping" by Casting Crowns, and we were wondering what our band name should be. So we are asking that you post your vote on the sidebar and tell us which one you like best! If you have a name suggestion, comment the name and we might put it up as an option! Thanks!

-Kole

Our Head of Gold

2008-12-06T08:53:00.003-06:00

Hey everyone. It's been awhile since I posted, eh? Nick was tricky enough to get me to change the song, knowing that I would be unable to resist posting.

Today, I'll just share a bit from my Morning and Evening this morning. It compared Nebuchadnezzar's head of gold in his dream to our Head of gold--Christ. While Nebuchadnezzar's statue had other, weaker and less desirable parts, such as the feet of iron mixed with clay compared to the head of gold, Christ's body has been glorified to match the glorious Head.

And after this, Spurgeon said to pause to think--just try to contemplate the amazing glorification we as Christians have and are being sanctified toward. How overwhelming and awesome is our Head of gold!

God bless you all!

Luke

Does it Pay to Pray?

2008-11-19T17:18:00.003-06:00

Hey guys! It has been a while since you have heard of me, but the other day I was reading Why Pray (I will give you the authors name later, can't remember it now), and the very first 'day' was very good and I want to share the point of it with.

The title of it is "Does it Pay to Pray?" The author says that he is a pastor and he decided to hold a prayer time every morning. He writes that at first just about every pray was answered very quickly, but later it seemed as if God wasn't answering any more of their prayers. Soon, one of the men in the group comes up to him and asks 'does it pay to pray.' The pastor responds, "I guess it doesn't!" Well, he then writes that later he was thinking about it, and he said that if he could answer the man this day, he would say, "does it pay to talk to your wife? What do you talk to her for?" Meaning, if we just talk to God for our gain, what good does that do? We need to talk to Him expecting that His Will will be done, not for what seems good to us.

I would write more, but my time on theis library comp. is about up.

Nick

Isaiah 53-

2008-11-12T17:37:00.005-06:00

"Surley He has borne our griefs carried our sorrows; yet we esteem him stricken
smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was crush for our iniquities... and with his stripes we are healed." Isiah 53 4-5.

The song that Seven places does is very good, and I encourage you to listen to it.

My favorite of the song is part is "with his stripes we were healed." Very profound, it's amazing what Christ did for us!

-Kade

Election Day!

2008-11-04T08:39:00.002-06:00

I love elections! Maybe that's partly because I want to do politics as a side job. But I just wanted to get on and encourage you to be praying for the elections today. Remember God's choice is the winner!

All For His Son's Glory!
-Kole

Reformation Fair

2008-10-27T19:53:00.003-05:00

Well, Kade and I got back last night from a trip to Illinois for a Reformation Fair that we went to. We had a great time and I was able to make a bunch of new friends and even see some old friends from the men's retreat back in February. We had a "bouffer" war in which we used swords, knives, bows and arrows, spiked Shields, and poles which were made with pipe that had insulation on it. My family had a delicious lunch of cheese, meat (beef jerky), bread, and wine (sparkling grape juice).

We had a couple of great performances from Nathan Clark George, and, I don't know your convictions on this, but I went dancing with a friend I meet that day. Now it wasn't a one-on-one type of dancing, it was like the old English country dances when you would dance with a lot of different people. But I could still see how others might not agree with that. Anyway, just wanted to let you know that we made it back safely, and I will try to post more often.

All For His Son's Glory!
-Kole

2008-10-24T17:19:00.002-05:00

Hey guys! Nick here. I am currently sitting in the library of F. E. Warren AFB (Air Force Base), and have been asked by Kole to post about what I am doing and to give more specifics.

Ok, my family and I headed out from Arkansas on Saturday at 3:00 PM. (MUCH later than we had hoped). That night we got to St. Joseph, Missouri, and spent the night at a hotel (can't remember the name). We headed out that morning (Sunday) and reached our first destination around 7:30 PM. That would be at the Brumbaughs who live around Cheyanne, Wyoming, and that is on the other side of the state than we will be moving (North Central part). We are still with them, and will be with them until Monday, the 27th. We then head out to Hot Springs, South Dakota, where we will be visiting with some friends there. We then head out to the Grand Tetons! We will be at the Park on November 2nd or 3rd.

Also, keep Kole and Kade in prayer as they travel too. I don't know all the details, so I will let them fill you in later.

Thanks for your prayers, they are appreciated!!

Nick

Nick is leaving...

2008-10-20T22:22:00.003-05:00

That's right, Nick is leaving us... Moving to the 'Grand Tetons' (say it with me: oooo aaahh:).

Why is he moving?: Well... I'll tell you: I don't know. :)

No, just kidding, I know. But I'm not going to just throw it up there.

Nick and his family have really been encouraging to our family and to our church. We'll really miss them. They came to our church maybe two years ago, and they have just jumped right in there. :) Been a huge blessing!

A Memory: first of all, Nick is a really big outdoors person. Me, not so much. One day while we were at his house getting ready to air-soft in his backyard, he said that he had to go inside to get something... When he came back out he was wearing thick baggy pants, and a puffy hunting jacket! I don't know how good he thought my gun was, but he was ready for anything! (p.s. He had the best gun, and I was in a t-shirt!) -Kade

The good news is he will still be part of the Life Savior, and maybe he'll post more!

-Kade and Life Savior

Love is Here- Tenth Avenue North

2008-10-16T10:54:00.003-05:00

I foung this song first on a friend's blog, and ever since then I've loved it! The song 'Love is Here' really speeks to me about how Jesus satisfies, so listen to the song; read the lryics, they're good.

Come to the water, you who thirst and you'll thirst no more.
Come to the father, you who work and you'll work no more.

And all you who labor in vain and to the broken and shamed:

(Chorus)
Love is here. Love is now. Love is pouring from His hands, from his brow. Love is near, it satisfies. Streams of mercy flowing from his side. Cuz love is here.

Come to the treasure, you who search and you'll search no more.
Come to the lover you who want and you'll want no more, no.

(Bridge)
And to the bruised and fallen, Captives, bound, and broken hearted.
He is the lord He is the lord, Yeah
By his stripes he's paid our ransom From his wounds we drink salvation
He is the lord He is the lord...

-Kade

Tagged Here Tagged There...

2008-10-10T11:06:00.004-05:00

We won't tag anybody else because almost every blog we read has already been tagged!
Oh, and Kole and I can't post our "six random things" right now, for a number of reasons.

We were tagged by Mesheay at http://readyalways.wordpress.com/ and Nikki at http://wwwnikkisnotes.blogspot.com/

Nick said:
1. I collect animal skulls. (What!?!)
2. I like 'original fruit chews' star-burst candy.
3. I hate potato salad.
4. I like spearmint gum.
5. I hate rap music. (Or at least that's what he says):)
6. I'm a pyromaniac.

Luke said:
1. I can tuck in my ears. (What !?!)
2. I hate cream puffs.
3. I'm a computer geek. (I agree, he's brilliant!)
4. I wear contacts.
5. Breakfast is my favorite meal.
6. I have blue walls in my room.

Hope you enjoyed reading this!

-Kade

Theology from a Three-Year-Old

2008-10-01T14:43:00.004-05:00

A conversation with my little sister:

Me: "Hey Clarity? What is the gospel?"

Clarity: "Je'dus died on the cross by da' sinners, for our sins, so dat' we won't die."

Now, how profound is that? The total gospel right there, you don't even need to add onto that!
Sometimes we don't renew our minds with the gospel, but that's it, right there! The pure gospel from a three-year-old! If you think about it, it's really amazing how Christ loved us.

'Jesus died on the cross for our sins' was the best thing that ever happen on this earth, but many times we tend to use it as a cliché! Is that was Christ deserves? Obviously not. We need to renew the gospel in our minds, and try to comprehend how deep that really is.

-Kade

p.s. We were tagged by somebody, and we'll do a post on it next.

Our New Blog Pictures

2008-09-29T20:22:00.017-05:00

Last Sunday we took some pictures at the church and we wanted to share some with you guys.

These last pictures we actually took Thursday night, but we had some problems and I like the next ones.

Having fun looking dumb! I have no clue what we were doing or trying to acomplish by scratching our chins!

Nick thought it would be funny to be different! Everyone was laughing when we found out what he did!

Everyone liked the position of this pic so we took a couple of them on the stairs, including the following.

There was some confusion on that picture in where to face.

I like this picture because it looks as though Luke is trying to kick me and I'm just looking at his foot.

This (above) I think we would say was our favorite, and it looks rather band-e like a picture you would find in a cd cover.

And this last picture right below is a "thank you" to all the readers who read our blog!

Thanks and enjoy!

-Kole (and the other Our Life Savior members)

Grace will Lead Me Home

2008-09-24T13:55:00.005-05:00

I'd like to share some thoughts from and about Morning and Evening (Charles Spurgeon) for September 22 Morning. It struck me the other day, so I wanted to share it with you now.

"When my heart is faint...lead me to the Rock that is higher than I."

- Psalm 61:2

The central focus of Spurgeon here was on Christ "leading" us to Himself, the "harbor of weather-beaten sails." He comments that "the helm does not answer to our puny hand; [God] alone can steer us over the bar between the sunken rocks and safe into the fair haven."

That made me think about something that comes up a lot in my godly conversations--the fact that man, on his own, cannot choose or come to God. Along with what Kole was just talking about in the last post! Man is incapable--he has a "puny hand." Man needs God to lead him heavenward.

This is true in the sense that man needs God to call him to Himself initially (salvation), but it is also true for people who have already been saved. Christians still need God to lead them toward heaven--without Him, our "puny hand" would allow the sea of the world to pull us into the rocks and drown us in its depths.

Just a few profound thoughts from Spurgeon. I recommend his writing, especially the twice-a-day devotional Morning and Evening. It is thought-provoking and is well worth the read for the Spiritual benefits it provides by pointing to God and His word.

On the non-spiritual side of things, I'm having computer problems that will end today by me sending my computer to HP. This is nice because my computer problems will go away. This is bad because I will be without a computer for two weeks.

What is a guy like me to do? I do school on the computer, I entertain myself on the computer, I make money with the computer (making websites and Flash applications/games), I make music on the computer, I even exercise on the computer (I run Dance Dance Revolution through the computer). Pray for me. This is God's way of saying "stop relying on the computer, you geek."

I might have small windows of time at least every other day to check my email and reply to comments, but nothing beyond that.

Well, that's all I've got. Comment!

Luke

By Faith

2008-09-23T14:42:00.004-05:00

For the last couple of days I have been talking with someone about predestination and how only those who have been chosen will be saved. Instead of just writing a comment I thought it might be good if I posted on the subject and address this persons position. If I misrepresent your position comment and tell me.

First, this person said, "He offered the gift of life and salvation to everyone (or you might say He chose all of us)." I believe it is offered to all, but only the elect (those who God has chosen to save) will be saved.

This person then said, "(Romans 6:23) He offers it to us, and then it is up to us whether we except or not. He puts the ball in our court, per say. God gives us the choice to choose between Him and Satan, just as we have a choice to choose between doing right and wrong. When Jesus said, in John 3:16, “For God so Loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but will have eternal life”, do you think He would have said “whoever believes” if it was not their decision alone (Same thing in Romans 10:9-10 & 13)?" God give everyone a general call to repent and believe; but the elect recieve a effectual calling which cannot be denied!

John Piper says this, "Finally, believing (Faith) is a work of God, not mere human initiative.
This does not nullify what we have said already—that believing is a human act of the mind agreeing with truth and a human act of the heart being satisfied with Christ. That is true. But the Bible teaches that the human mind is blind to spiritual truth; and the human heart is hard to spiritual pleasures. So how shall anyone be saved?

The answer of Jesus is given in John 6:44, "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him." In John 6:37 he says, "All the Father gives to me will come to me, and the one who comes to me I will certainly not cast out." In John 6:65 he says, "No one can come to me unless it has been granted him from the Father." (Cross references. 1:12–13; 8:47; 10:26; 18:37.)

Here are other verses that show that we do not have the will to chose Christ: Romans 8:7-8, Job 14:4, Jeremiah 13:23, and 2 Corinthians 3:5. Eph 2:8 says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is a gift of God least anyone should boast." Great verse! God gives us faith! It's not even ours!

Please, if there are any questions and I will try to address them.

All For His Son's Glory!
-Kole

P.S. Kade passed the US History II Clep test today!

A Hard Lesson Learned

2008-09-21T22:29:00.004-05:00

Well, today Kole and I learned a hard lesson.

We we're going to paint our room later this afternoon, when I got a "brilliant" idea... Why don't we draw in permanent marker all over the place and later we would cover it up with the paint? Not good. We realized when we started painting that the marker was still showing through! We went into a long task of scrubbin' rubbin' alcohol to get some of it off.

But over-all I learned my lesson, I'll never draw on a wall again. :) Boy does that make me sound childish.

You can kind of tie this in with life. We all make mistakes, yep even me but every time we do, it's a time to learn and grow.
~Kade

p.s. I put up a new song on the side-bar on Rush of Fools' new album.

Free Will

2008-09-15T18:41:00.005-05:00

Some people say that we have a "free will" that is not enslaved to sin. I believe differently and I wanted to post on the subject. Just a few verses that would contradict this belief are: Ecclesiastes 9:3, Titus 1:15, and 2 Timothy 2:25-26. These are all really good but my personal favorite is John 8:44 which says, "You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires." It is so simple. This is great because it shows not only the depravity of man, but it also makes you realize how the act of salvation is all about God doing the work. It makes the gospel that much more amazing, and all the more glorious!

All For His Son's Glory!
-Kole

Masculine Women - Feminine Men

2008-09-14T22:15:00.006-05:00

One thing that I hate in our culture today is how women are acting more like men, and men are acting more like women! God made two different genders, for two different reasons! Men have a different role then women, and women are supposed to help them do that! I think that our society today is getting a little confused!

Here's an old song from the 1920s:

Masculine women, Feminine men
Which is the rooster, which is the hen?
Girls were girls and boys were boys when I was a tot,
Now we don't know who is who, or even what's what!
Knickers and trousers, baggy and wide,
Nobody knows who's walking inside,
Those masculine women and feminine men

And just think how much worse it has gotten since then!

-By the way that we act and dress, that we show who we are and what God has made us.
And if God has made us for one purpose, who are we to say different?!

~So my encouragement to you men is to, "Be a man."
~And to the ladies, "Be a woman."
Simple.

Anything to add?

Kade

Aliens? UFOs?

2008-09-09T10:22:00.004-05:00

Hey guys! Sorry I have not posted in a long time (and this is not really a post, but a question), but I am curious, do you think that aliens contradict the Bible? Please leave comments and tell us, and I will tell you all what I think later in a comment.

Nick

~Is it Right for Christians to Listen to Secular Music?~

2008-08-27T22:19:00.006-05:00

Just a short question on this post. I have a debate class at my home school group, and the topic is, "Is it right for Christians to listen to secular music?" I'm arguing that is is not right for Christian to listen to secular music. I did some research and got a couple of Bible verses that might contradict listening to secular music, but I want to hear your thoughts.

~Kade

The Five Points of Calvinism

2008-08-19T17:46:00.003-05:00

Lately, I have been discussing some theology with someone on the Internet who is a catholic, and I has really made me realize how little I know of God's word and how to defend my beliefs.

But yesterday I got a book from my Dad called, "The Five Points of Calvinism", written by three guys whose names are: David N. Steele, Curtis C. Thomas (who I've met, and I personally know his brother. We go to the same church), and S. Lance Quinn (who is Curtis's pastor).

I have only started the book and I love it! You see in 1610, one year after the death of James Arminians, his followers drew up an article of faith with five points and took it before the State of Holland. They insisted that the Belgic Confession of Faith and the Heidelberg Catechism be changed to their beliefs. This meeting called the "Great Synod" came together and put it up against scripture and convened 154 times.

During this time, they came up with the "Five Point's of Calvinism" and condemned Arminism as heresy. And one thing I love about this book is that is puts the five beliefs of Arminist's on one side of the page and the Calvinistic beliefs on the other side so you can compare the two with ease. I am about to get into a section that talks about the similarities between Arminism and Pelagius' beliefs; and Calvinistic belief with the beliefs of Augustine. It's fascinating.

I would recommend this book to everyone! Arminian or Calvinist!

All For His Son's Glory!
-Kole

P.S. I'm a Calvinist just in case you didn't know!

The Greatest Demonstration....

2008-08-13T21:31:00.004-05:00

Tonight, in our family bible time we read 1 Corinthians 13, the love chapter. And two other passages we went to were Romans 5:8 and Galatians 2:20. Romans 5:8 says, "But God demonstrates His own love for us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Notice "demonstrates". It's present-tense. Means that it's happening now. We can know we are loved because He laid down His life for us. Becuase of what happend then, we can know we are loved now.

Also, it says at the end of Galatians 2:20, "Who loved me and gave Himself up for me." This word "Loved" speaking of the cross! Not that he doesn't love us now, he does; but that the greatest demonstration of this love was on the cross!

All For His Son's Glory!
-Kole

Psalms

2008-08-12T21:59:00.003-05:00

Sorry I havn't posted lately! I want everyone to tell me their favorite Psalm. Mine is Psalm 51.... although I also like Psalm 61 also....Oh, well! I like a lot! But what are yours!

-Kole

P.S. I'll try to post on wendsday (tomorrow) if I can. Thanks!

Rightly do they Love You

2008-08-07T10:37:00.004-05:00

This morning's devotional from Morning and Evening (by Charles Spurgeon) was on Song of Solomon 1:4, which says, "Rightly do they love you."

In the devotional, Spurgeon speaks of the Christian's love for God, and quotes Samuel Rutherford: "Oh, for as much love as would go round about the earth, and over heaven..." Spurgeon goes on to say that "our longest reach is only a span of love, and our affection is like a drop in a bucket compared with what He deserves."

As I thought about this, I came to realize the coldness of my love for Christ. Since God deserves so much more love than I can give--infinitely more--how can I withhold from Him all the love that I am able to give? The Savior of my soul deserves such great love--love that I can never give--but that must not hinder me from giving Him all my love, small though it may be.

Further on in the devotional, Spurgeon says that the Lord judges "our love by our intentions." In the eyes of God, it doesn't matter that our love is small--what matters is the intentions of our heart. This brought to my mind the widow from Luke 21. She only had "two small copper coins" to offer God--that was "all that she had to live on"--but she offered them, irregardless of the meager amount. Though the amount was small in monetary value, the intention of her heart was worth far more in the eyes of God; in God's eyes, she had offered a great offering that was pleasing to Him. Christ commended her, saying, "Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all of them."

I encourage you to examine the love you give to God. While it is certainly not as much as He deserves, you must give what you are able to give. If your intentions are pleasing to God, it will be a great offering in His sight. Even if you only have "two small copper coins" of love, give even that to God. You must give God all your love, for He deserves much more than that.

"Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all."

- When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

Peace be Still

2008-08-04T16:43:00.003-05:00

We'll, as many of you guys know my Mom is not feeling well and has been in bed the past week, and that my Dad is not home. That means that all the chaos and everything goes to Kole and me. Everything is under control, but it's very stressful for me to keep the house clean and everybody in line, etc.

But one thing that has helped me through this time is a song called "Peace be Still," by Rush of Fools.

The song should be up on the side-bar soon.

All Christ,
~Kade

Update

2008-08-02T13:05:00.003-05:00

Hey, guys. Just wants to say thanks and give you an update on how my mom's doing. She got out of the hospital Wendsday morning and has been slowly regaining strength, praise the Lord! She is doing a lot better, but I would ask for your continued prayers this week, because my dad is going out of town tomorrow and won't be back until friday. So just pray that this week would go smoothly and that nothing else like this would happen. Thank you all for your prayers!

-Kole

Prayer Bar on the Right

2008-08-01T18:15:00.003-05:00

We have put a Prayer Request Bar up on the right side of the Blog. We will continue to update it and will try to keep you posted on how the outcome is. If you could include these to your requests, we would appreciate it a lot.

-Nick

God's Providence (please read)

2008-07-29T13:35:00.004-05:00

This last Sunday my mom was rushed off to the hospital. It was unexpected for me, and I was woke up in the middle of the night and told that an ambiance was coming to her up. After they had left I went downstairs and just started weeping, praying, and reading my bible. My four brothers and three sisters where upstairs asleep because my Dad hadn't wanted them to wake-up.

While I was praying and reading I saw an extreme example of God's providence. My Dad was supposed to leave that night at six for Houston and not be back until Monday night, but his flight was delayed until Monday morning so he came home and planned on leaving the next morning. That night my mom was rushed off to the hospital. If we hadn't had our Dad it would have really been a nightmare. God's providence has been everywhere the past few days my mom has been at the hospital. I read my bible for two hours before falling asleep from my wiriness.

God really tried me that night, but by going to the word I was able to find encouragement and rest in God's word. Also, one thing that has really encouraged me the past couple of days, is a line from a song by Phil Wickham called "Cannons" and during the bridge he says, "All Glory, Honor, Power is yours amen!" I am actually listening to it as I write this.

I would ask that you pray for my Mom, she lost the baby for those of you who knew she was pregnant, and she still is bleeding but she's gotten better. Please be in prayer!

"All Glory, Honor, Power is Yours (God's) Amen!" -Phil Wickham (and somewhere in the Bible!)
-Kole

My quote

2008-07-27T19:54:00.002-05:00

Hey guys, a while back I made a quote that I want to share with you:

"Anything good, done with wrong motives, is bad."
-Kade

So if I serve somebody just for them to see me... that's a wrong motive. Or if I write a good post just to get comments, that's a wrong motive.

We not only need to do good deeds unto others, we need to do them with right motives or else they aren't "good" deeds!

~Kade

All the Way My Savior Leads Me

2008-07-24T14:23:00.003-05:00

Hey, guys. Just wanted to post a song that we sing and I like real quick. It's called, "All of the Way My Savior Leads Me."

Verse 1

All of the way my Savior leads me, what have I to ask beside?

Can I doubt His tender mercy, who through life has been my guide?

Heav'nly peace, divinest comfort, here by faith in Him to dwell!

For I know what'ere befall me, Jesus doeth all things well!

Verse 2

All of the way my Savior leads me, and he cheers each winding path I tread,

Gives me grace for every trial, and he feeds me with the living bread,

Though my weary steps may falter, and my soul athirst may be,

Gushing from the Rock before me, Lo! A spring of joy I see!

Chorus

And all the way my Savior leads me, Oh the fullness of His love!

Prefect rest to me is promised in my Father's house above.

And when my spirit, clothed immortal, wings it's flight to realms of the day,

This my song through endless ages: Jesus lead me all the way

This my song through endless ages: Jesus lead me all... the way

Just a very encouraging song that I love to hear over and over again.

All For His Son's Glory!

-Kole

Quick Quote

2008-07-23T13:02:00.001-05:00

Just want to share this quote that I heard:

"Nobody ever drifts to Christ."

~Kade

The Body of Christ

2008-07-19T12:37:00.002-05:00

I wanted to share something that came up in our Bible Study a while ago.

1 Corinthinans 12:14 says, "For, in fact, the body is not one member, but many." (NKJV) Later in 1 Corinthians (next few verses after v.14) It goes on to say that if the foot says to the hand, "Because I am not a hand I am not part of the body", and if the eye says to the hand, "I have no need of you", there would be no body. The Body of Christ (the Church) is not just an 'eye' or just a 'foot', but it is made up of all sorts of people who have different abilities, or gifts, than others. Do you know anyone who, because they are Christians, say they don't need to go to Church because they are already saved? Well, Hebrews 10:24-25 says, "24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." (NKJV) Does that mean sit around at the house and pray for other believers and yet not meet them in person? No! We are called to do that also, but we are also told here to go and stir up love and good works. You can't do that if you don't fellowship with one another. Also as the Body of Christ we are told not to look down on someone in the Church. If someone's gift happens to be lower (in our minds) than every one else's we must give that person greater honor (1 Corinthians 12:23).

-Nick

God Controls the Heart

2008-07-15T09:17:00.006-05:00

Proverbs 15: 11 says, "Sheol (meaning Hell) and Abaddon (meaning Satan) lie open before the Lord, how much more the hearts of men." I read this verse and I think I've heard a few commentaries saying that this means that God sees what's in the heart or something along these lines. But I just wanted to share a thought I had when I read it today. When reading this verse, I thought about this, "God is in control of Hell and the Devil, how much more the hearts of men." This may not mean what I am saying, I am just sharing a thought I had. But God can do whatever he wants with Hell and the Devil, and he can do what he wants with men's hearts. It also made me think of how much we're in control of peoples hearts. That's one thing to think on when sharing the gospel. It doesn't matter if you don't present it right. Or if you don't know passages well enough to recite them. Nothing you can say is going to save them. Only Gods working in their heart can.

-Kole

P.S. Kade and I are going on another trip today and won't be back till Friday night, so don't expect us to post until Sat.