Stuck in the Bathroom Stall

Today after class I went to the library and grabbed a computer before the daily rush hit. I logged on, threw my stuff down and headed to the bathroom to empty my nostril passages of the foreign fluid invaders that had taken up residence there.

I was blowing my nose, trying not to listen to the noises coming from the bathroom stall, when suddenly the guy that was in there flushed. Still trying to rid my nose of bogey's, I listened as he began to try his hardest to open the door. Apparently the door bolt would not budge because he started shaking the door, banging on it and throwing his weight against it for all he was worth. I have to admit it was kind of funny to witness it, but I also felt bad afterwards about seeing humour in his trouble.

I began to think about how his inability to escape from his prison relates to our imprisonment by sin.

We live in a broken world, no one is perfect and sin rules our lives with an iron fist. No matter what we do we always managed to mess everything up. Sometimes it can seem like we are hopeless, all the lights are shut off from us and we are locked inside our own prison.

But the beauty of it is that the Lord God, our making and father, has provided us with the easiest escape from all our troubles. He sent his own son to take away our sins, to take our place in that prison. Jesus Christ came and died on the cross so that we may share in his glory and receive salvation and ever lasting life from God, our father. Because of his sacrifice, we are free from our prison!!

Impetuous Youth - Ageless Widsom

What I find quite funny is how inexperienced we are as young men and women. As age finds us, we finally learn how to do things properly. Take for example, catching the eye of a young lady.

Now the way an elder man has done it here on our campus is by use of something small, furry, and cute. He got a puppy. Now that is some pretty basic stuff, except that he planned the right time, in the right place. This man, late forties, early fifties, got this puppy in the Spring time when the sun is shining and the young college girls are out walking and sun tanning. So of course being outside walking this puppy, the girls are attracted his way and BAM! He has captured the attentions of hundreds of girls over a given time.

On the other hand, we have the impetuous young man to consider. This young man sees what the old man has done, and being impatient buys a puppy when he has the money. Unfortunately for his lack of planning, the seasons have turned and it is winter! Cold, bitter winds, sunless days of gloom. Walking this puppy, the young man realises that girls are definitely not immune to cold weather, and while they would love to stop and play with his puppy, they would love more to be inside where it is nice and cozy. In this young man's case, his ill planning and impatient haste is indeed an EPIC FAIL!

I think this easily relates to our relationship with the Lord.

Psalm 37:7
Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.

When we pray, do we pray for instant results? Or do we pray knowing that God will answer in his own time. Do we wait upon the Lord, or do we move ahead with our own plans for short term gains? This is something I struggle with. I can't seem to find patience, in my dealings with others, my relationship with my girlfriend, my school work, my own prayer life. I just can't seem to get a hold of the idea that if I wait I will gain greater rewards for my patience and faithfulness, I believe they go hand in hand.

So I raise a prayer for all of us who haven't learned patience, I pray that slowly but surely they Lord will teach us to be patient.

Doubt

I am glad to be back at Longwood. I love being home, don't get me wrong, but I feel like a stranger or a visitor when I am there. Here at Longwood, where my friends are, my schooling is, my future resides; this is where my home is.

Matthew 14:31

Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"

Over Christmas Break, I fell out of faith with God. I know that he never lost faith in me, and that he never left me, but I just stopped. What I stopped, I don't know, I just know that that is exactly what I did. I just stopped.

I wasn't feeling the spirit move me in Church, I was singing praises right along with the radio, my prayers were non existent. I had no one that was keeping me accountable; I'm not moving the blame, it is my own fault that I didn't seek help from a friend or relative. I just ceased everything that brought joy in my heart through the spirit. I felt alone, I felt helpless, and I felt like I was cold and falling. I never want to feel that way again. I doubted God; doubted that he could pull me from my empty pedestal.

I prayed and prayed and prayed for help in some way. My heart was stone and I was unmoving in my doubt. Then I realized I wasn't doubting God, that wasn't the source of my faithlessness. I was doubting myself, and I realised there was unanswered for sins in my life that was causing me to doubt myself.

Everyone needs compassion

A love that's never failing

Let mercy fall on me

Everyone needs forgiveness

The kindness of a Savior

The hope of nations

(Chorus:)

Savior

He can move the mountains

My God is mighty to save

He is mighty to save

Forever

Author of Salvation

He rose & conquered the grave

Jesus conquered the grave

So take me as You find me

All my fears & failures

Fill my life again

I give my life to follow

Everything I believe in

Now I surrender (I surrender)

(Chorus:) (2x)

Savior

He can move the mountains

My God is mighty to save

He is mighty to save

Forever

Author of Salvation

He rose & conquered the grave

Jesus conquered the grave

(Bridge:) (2x)

Shine Your light & Let the whole world see

We're singing

For the glory

Of the risen King Jesus

(Chorus)

You're the Savior

You can move the mountains

Lord

You are mighty to save

You are mighty to save

Forever Author of Salvation

You rose & conquered the grave

Yes You conquered the grave

I went to church at home one last time before coming back to school. What I found, through opening my heart to God, laying myself at his feet, allowing him to cover me in grace, mercy, compassion, is that no on, NO ONE, is above all those things. My sins were so great and numerous that the hordes of Ancient Persia seemed as mice to what I've done, but God's grace filled me and washed away everything. God's grace out numbered my sin, his compassion - given for everyone who seeks it - healed me and made me whole.

Mark 11:23

"I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him.

My doubt seemed as great as Mauna Loa, but through prayer and faith, God moved that mountain and through into the ocean.