theZELLman's Xanga

An amazing week

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 17:00:25 GMT

Although the title says it all...

One doesn't spend 7-8 hours a day talking about the things of God with 9 Godly men, and 7-8 hours a day on your knees before God and not get floored by Him. I have been floored before but this time He broke me and then picked me back up and put me together in a completely different way.

God really spoke to me in an amazing way this past week and a half. He granted me something that I had never really had: a vision for what he wants me to do with my life. I want to really thank all of you who prayed for me, your prayers were answered in fabulous ways.

I can't really express it completely in a blogpost, especially since I am not good at long posts; but I will do my best.

Three years have seen me change a lot, but the last year has done the most changing. one year ago I was a young fundamentalist who thought he had the next 20 years planned out--I knew where I was going, that I would get my degree in history, and that I was going to teach college level history after grad school, I had all the details worked out. Now three years later, I am a young charismatic, who has been given a vision to help God bring revival to the American church and who knows that God has the means to this vision and has the rest of the details planned out.

That is about as good as I can do.

Love Him, Seek Him, Experience Him, Spread Him

-M-

Taking a Journey

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 18:26:00 GMT

To all who read this,

I would like to ask for prayer as I head out to a retreat for a number of days.

It is a program called Journey to the Heart, run by the Institute for Basic Life Principles, (Yeah, that is Bill Gothard) that is set up in northern Michigan, near Watersmeet. (which is not on the "Michigan Hand" it is up on the Northern Peninsula)
Mom had approached me, (on the phone) about attending the Journey to the Heart but I had originally said that I did not think I would have the time, and I was not sure that I was interested, however, my mom pushed and said that she wanted me to go with my brother Mark, who is also going. After some pushing I agreed and so I am off to the Northern Wastelands for ten days (June7-16), of intense journeying to the Heart of God, where I hope to really meet with God.
I will probably do an update on this later, let you all know how things went and what I thought. Until then, if you don't hear from me, I didn't fall off the face of the earth, just away from civilization. (no internet, discouraged phone use, etc.)

So that is all background, here is the prayer request:

I am praying that God would give me true vision for my future, vibrant passion for a work that He wants to do through me, and clear guidance for a life that honors Him with my mind, will, and emotions.

I appreciate your friendships and your prayers,
Go With Him,

-M-

Busy but not too busy for God

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 17:40:03 GMT

I am back in Indy, working an internship at Conner Prairie, in their archive, the Collections department they call it and also working at Omalia's in the evenings. So I am kept pretty busy.

However,

God is still cool. It is amazing how He still finds time in my busy schedule to just bowl me over with His grace. The last few weeks have really seen amazing things from God. He is so faithful and refuses to work in the silly little box that I have made, I can't wait to see what He wants to do next. I can't imagine what it will be, but I know that it will go beyond my understanding and will really drive me deeper into His love.

Be filled with the Spirit!

-M-

Love

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 14:51:35 GMT

So Pursuant to a church sermon from this Wednesday, I substituted my name for "love" in I Corinthians 13...

Michael is patient, Michael is kind. He does not envy, he does not boast, he is not proud. He is not rude, he is not self-seeking, he is not easily angered, he keeps no record of wrongs. Michael does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. He always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Michael never fails.

Ok, I was convicted with the first three words and then it was all downhill from there. However, since this passage is part of Paul's message about spiritual gifts, a lot of these virtues are only obtainable through the power of the Holy Spirit. I am encouraged by the words that follow.

But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

After Christ brings his Kingdom-"The perfect"-then we shall see Him face to face, praise God! Until then let the Spirit move us to greater love and closeness to each other and to Him.

-M-

Music speaks when you are ready to listen, kinda like God

Sat, 19 Apr 2008 09:37:11 GMT

Last Christmas I picked up a Caedmon's Call CD at the bookstore because I was looking for new music and knew that some of my family and friends liked Caedmon's Call. I wasn't really picky about the CD, I picked the oldest one they had there, 40 Acres, both because it was cheaper and because I like to know how a popular group like Caedmon's Call gets popular. I wasn't super impressed with what I found, it had some interesting songs, but all-in-all it wasn't the best. I put it in my iTunes and shelved the CD.

Over the last two days this CD has had several songs that have really hit me where I am. It is really interesting how God moves through things that you have already dismissed.

Anyway, I thought it was cool.

-M-

A Political Post

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 16:04:03 GMT

Third Party Candidate...Here I come...!

Sigh!

-M-

The Fellowship of the Unashamed

Fri, 16 Nov 2007 16:25:03 GMT

I am part of the "fellowship of the unashamed." The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ.

I won't look back, let up slow down, back away or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure.

I'm finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tame visions, mundane talking, cheap giving, and dwarfed goals.

My pace is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few, my Guide reliable, my mission clear.

I won't give up, back up, let up or shut up, until I've preached up, prayed up, paid up stored up, and stayed up for the cause of Christ. I must go until He returns, give until I drop, preach until all know, and work until He comes.

And when He comes to get His own, He will have no problem recognizing me. My colors will be clear.

"For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ..."(Romans 1:16)

-An African Christians last words-

Keep Chasing Him

-M-

On the Little Things.

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 13:31:23 GMT

To an Ant a stick is an impenetrable wall, and a rock is a mountain, but in perspective they are not great barriers.

To a man many things seem impossible and daunting, standing up in front of us like impregnable citadels, but in perspective they are not great barriers...to God

With that said, most of my midterms are behind me. God is so good, and He has been teaching me so much it is crazy, His love is so incredibly deep, and His strength is so incredibly strong.

Praise be to God for his incomparable Gift and the many smaller gifts. He is too generous to an undeserving person like me.

Keep Chasing Him!

-M-

Following Christ's Example...Literally

Sat, 13 Oct 2007 00:10:01 GMT

So today I decided to do what Jesus did and save a life...by giving my blood.

Giving blood is an important part of being a good steward of what God has given us. Blood is one of the things that all of us need, and our bodies make it pretty fast. But why should Christians be so interested in giving blood?
Dr. H., one of the professors at my school, is adamant that it is the responsibility of Christians to give blood if they at all can, because pretty soon we may be the only ones who can. Why?
There is a list of requirements, or one could say limitations on who can donate blood. Avoiding any unnecessary details, let me just say that if our culture continues on its sad path there will be fewer and fewer people who meet these stringent requirements. It is sad.

All that to say, I saved a life, I gave blood. (In fact, I may have saved three lives because the blood is divided into three parts.)

-M-

He will perfect it!

Thu, 20 Sep 2007 13:11:49 GMT

God is so good, I am amazed by Him more and more each new day. One of my new favorite verses is Psalm 138:8

"The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever; do not forsake the works of Your hands."

Just knowing that God is working out all of my hopes and dreams, and also my fears and stresses in his time completely floors me and I just have to stop in wonder at His wonderful promises.

-M-