Faith 'Tis So Sweet

'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take him at His word;
Just to rest upon His promise;
Just to know, thus saith the Lord.

... Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I've proved Him o'er and o'er!
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust Him more.

After looking at my life so far, it's pretty evident that I haven't done many things out of faith. The unknown is scary, maybe that's why. I think it's about time to do so. To profess a Sovereign God is one thing, to live out that belief in your life is another. May I be granted the grace to not "take" chances, as some would say, but to trust in my Savior for all things.

Yes, that includes you too, unknown future.

I'm not strong enough, Lord. But You are.

I Remember This!

Remember when I blogged? Yes, it was a much simpler time... jk.

Man, how long has it been? Well, here is an update on life so far. Seminary has really picked up the pace, and I have much to do between now and the end of the semester. I actually took a break from my hermeneutics paper to write this blog so I hope this isn't considered being sidetracked (Yes, it is). Anyway, there is much to do, but the Lord is carrying me through by His strength. Through the overwhelming moments of my life, I can only look back and say, "My accomplishments are definitely not my own."

I think it's good to stretch yourself, especially as believers. You see Paul use athlete analogies, and you can learn so much from them. Athletes don't excel if they don't push themselves and train hard. The same is true for the Christian life. If life isn't pushing you to your limits, then you won't be able to mature spiritually. Yes, Kobe didn't become Kobe simply by watching TV. He had to be pressed.

Complacency brings death to your growth. Don't let your theological astuteness make you think you've arrived (As if you were perfect). Beloved, we will not "arrive" until Christ has purged us of all sin and perfected us in glory.

I need to remind myself of this because I'll be taking a heavier load next semester. I've been encouraged by everyone around me, and I know that only Yahweh will see me through. I'm helpless on my own.

I'll be busy, so make sure I don't neglect the ministry, okay? I hope that when the Lord stretches you, you will not sacrifice serving and loving His people for the sake of your own "convenience." May we be peopled "inconvenienced" for the Lord and for His people, so that we would put their needs above our own selfish wants.

Press on, beloved. Trust me. We can rest when we're dead. And in death we are comforted knowing that absence with the body is presence with our Lord forever. So keep running hard and giving it your all, and cease from coasting to the finish line. Stop living a mediocre Christian life. It will be so much sweeter in the end when you know that you gave it your all.

And the Lord will honor that.

Much love, homies.

-Micah

Sem Life

I guess it's about time that I posted about seminary life, huh?

Where do I begin? Seminary life is living up to the expectation. I am just overwhelmed by the vast wave of bible knowledge that is thrown at me every week. My professors are so smart and so well-equipped that it makes my puny brain look even smaller. Regardless of the level of their theological competency, they are humble men who are such an encouragement to me. I want to write down everything that they say, but my little pen can only go so fast. I'm just afraid of my retention. I've always struggled with comprehension and long term memory, so I'm praying that the Lord works a miracle in my mind so that this life changing information will manifest itself in how I conduct ministry.

The content of what is being taught spurs me to a special work ethic. For some strange reason, I look forward to doing homework. I definitely have a heavier load than undergrad, but I really don't mind sitting down and hammering out hours of reading and hours of assignments. Why? Well, I think it's the drive. Not the car drive, but the inward drive. LOL. It's obvious that motivation is needed in order to accomplish your homework. But the motivation I have is an understanding that my work is not VAIN work. My assignments are just gushing with so much life application that I can't even keep up. It makes me want to do well. It encourages me to keep going. But it also scares me. It scares me because I know that more knowledge equals more responsibility, and I will be held to everything that I learn here. May the Lord be gracious with me as I travel this journey through seminary.

I wake up at 5 AM every school day (earlier if I carpool with Mark). It seems as though I'm becoming more of a morning person. Maybe it is because I'm actually sleeping earlier. Well, regardless of the reason, I am enjoying the early mornings and even the early morning drive. I am much more efficient because of it.

We have an incoming class of about 90 students (roughly). It has been a joy and privilege to meet new people almost every single class day. I am having a blast cultivating relationships with people who have wonderful testimonies about what the Lord has done in their life. We all come from different places, cultures, and upbringings; but our goal is the same. It's difficult to stay on task and NOT talk to them about life and ministry. A good problem I suppose.

Humility is something that I understood would come with attending TMS. Yet, I did not know how the Lord would place that upon me. So far, humility has manifested itself through the surfacing of my faults and shortcomings. It's easy to think you're the stuff when nothing seemingly "bad" happens to you, but when the Lord brings the hammer, He really brings the hammer. I've been humbled (even academically) in more ways than once, and it really keeps me grounded. It's funny how you pray for the Lord to keep you humble, but sometimes you really don't like how He brings that about. Lord, just keep me low.

I think about Loris everyday, even when I'm at school. Today marks five months of us being together. I sent her a text that said, "Ebenezer, darlin. Happy five." Ebenezer means, "the Lord has taken us this far." And that just really sums it up for us. God has taken us this far, and we hope and pray that He takes us even further.

Excuse any grammatical errors. I didn't proof read. Hopefully this was an encouragement for you. Thanks for the prayers.

-Micah

Compromising for Cuteness

To my brothers,

A girl's attractiveness is not a sign of Godliness.

I beg you, please, look at her character and have sober-discernment. If she isn't ready, then wait for her to grow. If she isn't mature, then please wait for someone else. I'm not talking about perfection, by no means; but I'm encouraging you to avoid both extremes (Looking for a perfect girl or being blinded by outward beauty). So I ask you, judge rightly and biblically. But please don't compromise your biblical values for a pretty face.

Please wait. I'm praying for you.

With love,

-Micah

What Do People Think about Me??

1 Samuel 15:24 "Then Saul said to Samuel, 'I have sinned; I have indeed transgressed the command of the LORD and your words, because I feared the people and listened to their voice."

Context: Saul had disobeyed the LORD by not completely destroying the Amalekites. Instead, he decided to take animals from the Amalekites even though the LORD instructed him not to do that.

How do I know if I am fearing men more than God?

Here are 2 ways to test yourself:

1) If the words of men affect you more than the words of God, then you are fearing men.

2) If the words of the men cause you to sin against God, then you are fearing men.

Fearing men may just lead you into sinning against God. God cares more about your obedience than your rep amongst people. So if you're faced with a choice, always choose the approval of the Lord and rather than the approval of man. In the end, that's all that matters.

The Fad-Driven Christian

"We must always remember that popular acclaim is not necessarily the same as spiritual effectiveness." (Chapell).

Be mindful of the popular things, loved ones! Popularity does not equal spiritually "good for you." Popular pragmatism is the highway to spiritual downfall.

Starting a Fire

An excerpt from a sermon series that has pierced my soul:

Now I want to talk about this for just a moment so you understand clearly some theological distinctions. True believers...mark this, here's the word...true believers will have a sanctified tongue. Did you get that? True believers, true Christians, totally transformed people, those who have been made new in Christ, will have a sanctified tongue. Let me add something to it. True believers must have a sanctified tongue. Did you get that? True believers will have a sanctified tongue. True believers must have a sanctified tongue.

You say, "Well, wait a minute. If we will have, then why do you tell us we must have?" Because one is a sovereign reality in the new birth and the other is a human responsibility that's really ours to fulfill. And that's the amazing tension and paradox of our Christian experience. If we're truly new in Christ, we will have a pure speech. And if we're truly new in Christ, we will take the responsibility to be sure we have a pure speech. That is a constant biblical paradox. If you understand that, and we hit that a lot of times in our Bible study, but if you understand that, you really are on the way to understanding a mystery.

You can't fully understand it but let me give it to you this way. We are saved by sovereign grace, right? Chosen in Him before the foundation of the world, yet we must believe. We are kept by the security of God in His sovereign decree, yet we must persevere. We live by sovereign power, not I but Christ living in me, yet we must obey. And as James would put it, because we are new creatures, we will endure trials and we must endure them. We will receive the Word and obey it and we must receive the Word and obey it. We will be gracious to the needy without partiality, and we must be gracious to the needy without partiality. We will produce good works and we must produce good works.

In other words, you'll never really be able to resolve the fact that what God says will be true of you, must be true of you. Just because God said it doesn't mean we can lie down flat on our back and hope it happens. And that's really the mystery of the apparent paradoxes of the Christian experience. Where there is genuine living faith and true regeneration and transformation, these things will be the result and they must be the result. God will produce them in us but He produces them in us through our commitment to them. You understand that? That's the best we can get at it.

-Macarthur

Lord, help me to bridle my tongue.

Forced Holiness

I cannot force you to change.

I'll pray that the Lord gives you that desire.

However, I'll ask that He changes me first.

Requesting this of you without first applying it to me would be the most heinous of sins.

My Heart May Fail... But...

After reflecting back on 3 months, I am distraught over how much I have failed everybody around me. I see how much I've failed to be a faithful servant, a blameless leader, a submissive son, a loving brother, and a holy boyfriend; and I want to ask all of you to forgive me.

Failure and mistakes seem to be a part of my life, but I thank the Lord for grace and the cross. I still struggle with the past sins that haunt me, and I see the future dangers of not killing them. Loris has been so patient and so understanding, and I still don't know why she sticks around. I've been a constant disappointment, yet she has been so gracious to forgive. Yah, I know three months.. you guys are saying sarcastically "big deal.." But it is a big deal to us. God has taken us this far when 3 months was not promised to us. I'm such an awful screw up, so it is a miracle that God has kept us together for 3 months.

For me, it seems as thought I've been talking more than doing. I don't want to claim to seek holiness for me and for my loved ones, yet not pursue to purify them. Thankfully, I see my faults and I know what to do. I remember a quote from Pastor Felix's sermon when he said, (with regards to sinning) "Run to the cross, then change your life." I'm so grateful for a grace that does not encourage me to licentiousness. By God's grace, I will change my ways. People have been patient, my family has been patient, and Loris has been patient; so it brings me to my knees to look around at the people I don't deserve who still stick by me, even when I wrong them.

So, I ask you all for patience. Seminary is going to be rough, and I'm scared to death. I will make future mistakes, but again I ask for your patience and guidance. I've just recently been listening to Sojourn Music and it has blessed my heart. Here are the lyrics to a song called "Whom Have I in Heaven But You." I hope it will bless you as well. Grace and peace my brothers and sisters whom I love.



Whom Have I in Heaven

That final day will surely come, when I am laid to rest
Then must I before my Lord own my unrighteousness
Give me one assuring word to ease my anxious heart
I could not bear to hear Your voice bid my soul, “Depart”

Chief of all my joys
Sovereign of my heart
Whom have I in heaven but You?
My heart may fail
But You are my Strength
Whom have I in heaven but You?

O, wretched state of deep despair! If You Your hand remove,
And place my hopeless station where I must not taste his love.
O, tell me that my worthless name is graven on Your hands,
Show me some promise in Your Word, where my salvation stands!

Lord, when I quit this earthly stage,
where shall I fly but to Your presence?
For I have sought no other home,
for I have learned no other rest.

Accepted.

A lot has happened this summer. I've been so busy, and there hasn't been any time to blog. Even though everything so far has been worth documenting I felt the need to talk about today.

Today, I heard back from TMS. After hanging out at her house, Loris and I drove back to my house to see if the TMS letter had come. As we pulled up, my parents were about to leave to go eat. I asked if there was any mail from the seminary, and my dad pulled out the mail and he found the letter. I opened the envelope slowly as Loris and my parents waited for me to read what was on the letter.

Praise the Lord I got accepted. I didn't know whether to jump for joy or be scared to death. Many different emotions and thoughts rush through your mind as a new chapter in life begins to unfold. You can ask Loris. I was pretty out of it today.

The whole thing seems like a blur, and the future terrifies me. I've been waiting for this for a long time, and I know that nothing would bring me more joy than to pastor God's people for the rest of my life. But I understand that the testing will come. If God uses seminary to show me that I'm not called, then so be it. It would not be wasted time. I just really hope and pray that this is the Lord's will for my life.

I kept telling Loris (like a broken record) that this is going to be hard. It's going to be a rough road. And that's only from word of mouth and not experience. I'm sure that my perception of how tough things will be is probably an underestimation. Ask me how tough it is in 2 years (if I'm still in seminary, that is).

Again, with uncertainties come a certain Savior. I'm asking the Lord to sustain Loris and I as we endeavor through seminary together. Yah, I know, we're not married. But we are making life decisions together because we are hoping that the Lord has marriage in store for us. She doesn't know how grateful I am to have her support through all of this, even when I don't have the words to explain how I feel (or when I act stupid, which is basically all the time).

I've made so many mistakes, and I know that I will make more. But I am excited for the future. Emotionally, it isn't like I'm giddy with uncontrollable ecstasy. I guess I'm trying to enjoy the grace of the moment without forgetting the realities and weight of full-time ministry. (It's easy to go to both extremes).

I don't know what is going to be happening next. I don't know if I'm "ready." (Whatever that means). But I do know that the Lord has a hand in it. And that's enough to settle my heart. I just want to do my best and find my strength in His grace. I know that I can't do it on my own, even waking up is an obstacle at times.

I'm humbled because I don't deserve any of this grace. I don't deserve such great family, friends, and parents. I don't deserve to be accepted to such a blessed seminary. I'm asking the Lord to keep me low and I'm asking that He would give me strength to finish.

Loved ones, I'm hoping that you're there with me. Let's do this together, yah?

-Micah Anglo

Would I Date Her Again?

You bet.

"My Salvation Testimony"

It's 1:53 AM. I got church in the morn, and I have to wake up early. However, I just finished opening my gifts and reflecting on the day and my entire life. After thinking about how far the Lord has taken me, I also remember what I was before He saved me. The following is "My Salvation Testimony." I sent this to TMS as a part of my application, but I hope this blesses you in some way.

My Salvation Testimony

My family raised me in a Christian household. It seemed as though everything around me was “Christian.” I was accustomed to attending church every single week. Missing church was like missing breakfast. Something just didn’t feel right if we skipped out on church. I grew up in a large Filipino Presbyterian church, and my earliest memories are composed of sleeping in the pews waiting impatiently for the service to be over. I wanted the service to end so that I could eat all the punch and cookies they gave us. I also just wanted to run around outside and play with my friends. Looking back at it all, church was simply a routine for me, just like school. Even at school, Christian influences were all around me. Prior to attending college, I had never been given a public education. Private school was all I knew. I was alienated from anything that was outside my “Christian” box.

I was very involved in the church life. Friday night bible studies, Saturday get-togethers, Sunday worship, it was all a weekly routine for me. Youth group was just another group set friends to me. They were like my Christian friends at school; however, they were at my church. I helped in children’s ministry, I listened at bible studies, I played in the praise band, and I went on countless retreats. There wasn’t anything I didn’t do. I was your typical church-raised teenager. But there was one big problem: I wasn't saved.

In elementary school, I had no sense of salvation security. The concepts of hell and losing my salvation scared me to death. After I did something bad, I was overwhelmingly afraid of going to hell. This fear led me to “ask Jesus Christ into my heart” every single night before I went to bed, all because I was scared of hell. I said to myself, “Just ask Christ into your heart every day. That’ll make sure He’s there.” I wanted assurance that I was going to heaven because I was afraid of the consequences of my sin. Yet, it was only a fear of punishment that drove me to a false repentance.

As high school came around, my condition did not get any better. Emotions drove my conduct. It seems that my affections were geared toward video games and grabbing a girlfriend. My joy came directly from those unstable facets of life. If those things weren’t constant, (which they weren’t) then my joy was not constant. Even when college arrived, my affections did not change. Furthermore, college encouraged me to add another carnal affection in the form of choosing a career. I just wanted to graduate and make money so that I could have a nice prosperous life without any trouble at all. This led me to an all-time spiritual low. My friends had all gone to college and I lost many others in the transition. No one could relate to me and my difficulties. I was your typical “misunderstood” young person who was battling depression. I had never felt so alone in my entire life.

I was still attending church during my first year of college. During that year, my church started a college ministry. It was during those studies where I heard the Gospel in its entirety. My life prior to that was a life of legalism. It was about sticking to set of “do’s and don’ts” that would make me acceptable to God. I didn’t understand what true belief, true security, and true repentance was until I heard the complete Gospel of Christ. When I finally comprehended the saving work of Christ, God’s loving mercy upon my life drove me to call Him Lord in every aspect of my life. It wasn't works righteousness anymore; it was living by the grace of God. I had a new perspective on holiness that I never had before, and it only drove me to serve and obey as best as I could.

From that point, I couldn’t stop getting enough of God’s Word. I had an insatiable appetite for the scriptures. I’ve never had a desire for the Word. Yet, I found myself constantly buried in the bible, even though I had no clue what I was reading most of the time. I just wanted to know more. I knew I had to hear from the Lord, and I knew the bible was where I needed to go. Thankfully, an older brother in Christ approached me about discipleship. I had never heard of discipleship prior to this. Despite the unfamiliarity, I established a discipleship relationship with him and I was connected to other Godly men from whom I learned much. I wanted imitate them because of their drive to live Christ-like lives. They cared for me, they corrected me, and they lived out everything they preached to me. I had never been loved and ministered like this in my entire life.

These men knew that I needed to be better equipped for life and ministry, so they plugged me into the Los Angeles Bible Training School for that very purpose. This school changed my life. I had listened to sermons from John Macarthur and John Piper, but I had never been consistently exposed to sound doctrine. These men were preaching straight from the scriptures, and it was as if I had never heard sermons preached from bible. Their communication was clear and concise. The men had such a passion for the Lord, and you could see it in how they preached and how they cared for their students. Not only was the preaching a blessing, but learning theology, doctrine, and hermeneutics was an amazing experience. I finally understood how to read and interpret God’s word for myself, and better yet, apply it to my life. During this time, the Lord grew me exponentially. I wasn’t perfect, but by His grace, I was making progress. God’s faithfulness to me was something I couldn’t comprehend. His love for me was unbelievable. My former lusts weren’t pleasing to me anymore. I didn’t treasure the things of my past anymore. I finally had a security in Christ that was foreign to me in my childhood. I now treasured Christ above all the temporary things in my life. Looking back to my old ways, it puzzles me as to why I was pursuing all that rubbish. Aside from that stubbornness, pride, and ignorance, God was gracious enough to save such a poor sinner as myself. Through His Holy Spirit, He has given me a zeal and passion for ministry like never before. Ever since he delivered me out of the domain darkness, I have found my greatest joy in living a holy life, serving Him in all things, and loving His people through the ministry.

Back in Blog

The last final was today.

It's strange though. Loris and I still don't know why I don't feel like I'm graduating. But hey, it'll hit me soon (I hope). Maybe putting on that cap and gown next week is exactly what I need.

Yes, finals are done and summer is here. What is the first thing on my "to do" list? Apply to TMS. I should be sending out my application by e-mail tonight, so prayers are much appreciated.

Summer is here and there is much to do. Here is small list of some of things on my summer agenda:

• Serve in ministry
• Catch up on reading
• Learn Hebrew
• Attend a couple weddings
  
• Date my girlfriend (FINALLY)
  

It's going to be a hectic summer before seminary. But the Lord has been gracious thus far, like He always has. Regardless of what's ahead, I'm excited to tackle all of it, especially spending more time with Ms. Saprid.

I also am back to blogging. The Lord has placed a few things on my heart that I would love to share with ya'll. There's work to be done this summer, and I'm looking forward to every moment of it.

Feeling Stingy?

The Lord Knows How to Keep You Low

"And though my humbling wouldn’t be my decision
It’s here Your glory shines so bright
So let me learn that the cross precedes the crown
To be low is to be high
That the valley’s where You make me more like Christ"


Keep me humble, Lord. May I never seek the heights of arrogance and pride.
Keep me low, Lord. Keep me low.

How Are You Loving?

"Love is an unconditional commitment to people who are imperfect" (Rick Holland).

Regardless of how much I fail, I am so blessed to know my loved ones still love me.

Idelette Calvin

Found this online...

In the two letters that follow, Calvin gives details of Idelette's death to Viret and Farel. His intense grief speaks to his deep love for her. And one sees Calvin's tenderness toward his wife as he tells of his steps to relieve any anxieties she may have had about the future of her children after her death. Such kindness is a model for spouses.

John Calvin to Pierre Viret [7]

April 7, 1549

Although the death of my wife has been exceedingly painful to me, yet I subdue my grief as well as I can. Friends, also, are earnest in their duty to me. It might be wished, indeed, that they could profit me and themselves more; yet one can scarcely say how much I am supported by their attentions. But you know well enough how tender, or rather soft, my mind is. Had not a powerful self-control, therefore, been vouchsafed to me, I could not have borne up so long. And truly mine is no common source of grief, I have been bereaved of the best companion of my life, of one who, had it so been ordered, would not only have been the willing sharer of my indigence, but even of my death. During her life she was the faithful helper of my ministry. From her I never experienced the slightest hindrance. She was never troublesome to me throughout the entire course of her illness; she was more anxious about her children than about herself. As I feared these private cares might annoy her to no purpose, I took occasion, on the third day before her death, to mention that I would not fail in discharging my duty to her children. Taking up the matter immediately, she said, "I have already committed them to God." When I said that was not to prevent me from caring for them, she replied, "I know you will not neglect what you know has been committed to God."

John Calvin to Guillaume Farel [8]

Geneva, April 11, 1549

Intelligence of my wife's death has perhaps reached you before now. I do what I can to keep myself from being overwhelmed with grief. My friends also leave nothing undone that may administer relief to my mental suffering. When your brother left, her life was all but despaired of. When the brethren were assembled on Tuesday, they thought it best that we should join together in prayer. This was done. When Abel, in the name of the rest, exhorted her to faith and patience, she briefly (for she was greatly worn) stated her frame of mind. I afterwards added an exhortation, which seemed to me appropriate to the occasion. And then, as she made no allusion to her children, I fearing that, restrained by modesty, she might be feeling an anxiety concerning them, which would cause her greater suffering than the disease itself, declared in the presence of the brethren, that I should henceforth care for them as if they were my own. She replied, "I have already committed them to the Lord." When I replied, that that was not to hinder me from doing my duty, she immediately answered, "If the Lord shall care for them, I know they will be commended to you." Her magnanimity was so great, that she seemed to have already left the world.

About the sixth hour of the day, on which she yielded up her soul to the Lord, our brother Bourgouin[9] addressed some pious words to her, and while he was doing so, she spoke aloud, so that all saw her heart was raised far above the world. For these were her words: "O glorious resurrection! O God of Abraham, and all our fathers, in thee have the faithful trusted during so many past ages, and none of them have trusted in vain. I also will hope." These short sentences were rather ejaculated than distinctly spoken. This did not come from the suggestion of others, but from her own reflections, so that she made it obvious in few words what were her own meditations.

I had to go out at six o'clock. Having been removed to another apartment after seven, she immediately began to decline. When she felt her voice suddenly failing her, she said: "Let us pray: let us pray. All pray for me." I had not returned. She was unable to speak, and her mind seemed to be troubled. I, having spoken a few words about the love of Christ, the hope of eternal life, concerning our married life, and her departure, engaged in prayer. In full possession of her mind, she both heard the prayer, and attended to it. Before eight she expired, so calmly, that those present could scarcely distinguish between her life and death. I at present control my sorrow so that my duties may not be interfered with….

Adieu, brother, and very excellent friend. May the Lord Jesus strengthen you by his Spirit; and may he support me also under this heavy affliction, which would certainly overcome me had no he, who raises up the prostrate, strengthens the weak, and refreshes the weary, stretched forth his hand from heaven to me. Salute all the brethren and your whole family.

--Yours,

John Calvin

Calvin never remarried.

Matt. 10:16-23

Learning so much

I'm still trying to kill pride, especially after someone humbles you.

Lord, keep teachin' me... cuz I still want to learn.

Help me to learn from my mistakes.

Surreal

Life has been constantly changing for me within the past year.

Graduation, ministry, family, and friends are areas of my life that have been changing dramatically. I was not the same person last Easter. That's for sure.

I can't wait to graduate, but school is getting heavy; and I'm praying that the Lord helps me kill the sin of slothfulness. TMS is around the corner, but I still need to apply. I'm praying and testing if the Lord has really, in fact, called me to the ministry. But that's what I'm working toward.

The Lord has been gracious enough open a preaching opportunity. Some of you guys know, so I don't need to elaborate. Just pray, k? Pray that I get MYSELF out of the text, and that hearts will cut to repentant shreds by the sword of the Lord. Nervous? Well, the sin is there. I'm asking the Lord to guard me against the extremes: self-reliance and arrogance. Give me humility, conviction, passion, and clarity so that I may not profane Thy name.

But oh man, I am excited to preach.

Yes, indeed, a lot has been changing.
For the better?
I should say so.

The Lord and His unceasing blessings have touched my life once again. I mean, it's at a point where, when I think about her, I pray and cry, "Lord, why did You give her to me? I don't deserve her. Lord, You didn't have to bless me, yet you did; so.. well... THANKS, WOHOO!!"

I've been given a huge opportunity to apply all this knowledge that I've been given. I just hope she understands how much I care about her and how much I want her to be holy. I want us to be holy together. I'm not looking for a flirtation buddy, I'm looking for someone have a Godly relationship with. You know why I want us to be holy? Because when we're holy, that's when we're most like Christ. When we're holy, that's when we are closest to God. When we're holy, that's when it's heaven on earth.

Excited? You bet I am (we are). People, it is SO possible to have a relationship that emulates the love Christ has for His beloved Bride, the church. It is possible for people to do it rightly (only by God's Sovereign Grace). Our desire is to model that, not for the purpose of show-boating, but for the purpose of God-glorifying.

Yes, we'll grow. We'll make mistakes, and we'll learn from those mistakes. We need that attitude of forgiveness because we know that sin is at the door, and so many have fallen to it. We pray for God's hand to deliver us from any and all temptation that may lead us to being disqualified.

I'm asking the Lord that He will see us through to the very end.

SO, how do I know this isn't relationship idolatry? Well, that's easy. You see, we both would have been satisfied with Christ if He had not given us this relationship. What I saw in this woman was a person who treasured Christ above it all. Beloved, that's where you derive your joy. Your joy isn't in marital status; it is in your relationship with a holy and gracious God who sent His Son to ransom you from your debt of sin.

That's how I know she isn't my idol. I'm loving God, which drives me to love her.

But hey, what do I know? We've only been together for a few days.... Yah, that may be true, but we do know what were suppose to do. God is not silent. He's given us the relational instruction manual. We just gotta read it and submit to it.

Can't wait for what's ahead. With uncertainty comes indescribable rest in a Sovereign God who will weave it all together for good.

Hey miss, if you're reading this, just wanna let ya know... I'm willing to work at this relationship if you are too. Let's hit the ground runnin'. WERE ROLLIN' NOW!! WE'RE ON OUR WAY!! Where we headed? Well, we're taking the sanctification train to holy town. You on board?

Let's glorify God TOGETHER in ways that we could not apart.

It's time to show the world a relationship that reflects the Gospel.
I'm game. Are you?

Oh, and by the way... if I haven't told you already... you were worth the wait.

- Micah


P.S. MAN, it's hard saying goodnight you.

Lord, You didn't have to... but You did.

Thanks, by the way.

Like Christ loved the church.

It's funny how it takes another person to help you realize how selfish you really are.

Forgive me, Lord.

Chance? No, Providence

You know what it is like to see an old friend? Yah, I'm not connecting this to anything. I literally saw an old friend tonight, and I was able to catch up with him. He was someone who I used to call my best friend.

Yah, I know... you're probably saying "Used to? Micah, what happened?"

Well, here we go...

Let's just go straight to it. In college, I lost all my friends. Everyone went their separate ways to different colleges and universities, and here was me--all by myself with no one to turn to. Now, it hurt losing all friends I grew up with, but it REALLY hurt losing this one friend. But here is the funny thing: we both went to the same college.

There is something about college that really puts people to the test. (Especially relationship wise). We would see each other on occasion, but it was clear that we were drifting apart. It seems as though both of us found no joy in what we were doing in the first couple years of college. However, when I got saved, I went on this holiness rampage. And I made a mistake that probably pushed him away. That was what I did not want.

I felt as though we were going separate ways. I was following Christ, and he was going down a road I could not follow.

So, it had been quite awhile since I last saw him, maybe even years. But I had always been praying for him. Now, I don't think that prayer a replacement for not reaching out to your friends. My downfall was letting go of our relationship, and I asked for forgiveness about that. Despite my mistake, I do not regret praying for this individual because it seems as though God may have answered those prayers.

God, in His sweet mercy, has allowed us to see each other once again. And that was tonight. I was able to play "catch up" with an old friend who has expressed a desire to be passionate about God. My prayer is that this would be the legitimate, genuine hunger for Christ that I had been hoping for.

I've been disappointed by too many people. I just want my loved ones to be saved. I just want them to treasure Christ above it all. I just want them to find unshakable joy in the steady Rock of Jesus when their entire world is crashing around them.

These "I just wants" are sounding a little selfish now. But I truly hope this is real. I'm praying that this is real. He knows he can't go at it alone--none of us can. I know I'm not smart. I know I have deficiencies. But I do care so much for his well-being. I care about his holiness. I care about his relationship with You, Lord. You think that's enough? You think he'll see that? I don't know... maybe. I just know that I'm not letting this opportunity slip. God, in His Sovereign will, had ordained this moment in eternity past. Hey Calvinists, we don't believe in chance remember? Maybe this IS the real deal. I can only hope and pray.

I hope this is legit. God, let this be legit.

Yah, I'd Do it Again.. and Again and Again...

"I feel that, if I could live a thousand lives, I would like to live them all for Christ, and I should even then feel that they were all too little a return for His great love to me"

- C. H. Spurgeon

What manner of love is this? What kind of love is this?

... that God would save us and change us to be like His Son. I do not understand... Why would You, O Lord, love wretched men such as us?


"If you cannot trust God in the darkness, it shows that you cannot trust Him at all."

"Are You a Christian? Yeah, 'Cuz Everyone Else Is."

This was in the preface of a book I have. The book is a compilation of Edwards' sermons.

I thought it would be nice if I typed this paragraph out for you guys to read. Some interesting observations here. What do you think?

The Massachusetts colony assumed that all settlers were or should be Christian. In fact, it insisted, prohibiting immigrants who were Roman Catholic or otherwise outside the fold. At the beginning in particular, a good portion of the early settlers came to escape religious persecution. Their faith was vital and personal. After all, nominal faith is unimaginable in a persecuted church; instead they had become the established church, with all its attendant benefits, including power and the tax revenues collected to support the church. And in an established church, nominal faith becomes the norm (Sermons of Jonathan Edwards 2005).

How Do You Hang Something on Nothing?

⁷"He stretches out the north over empty space
And hangs the earth on nothing.
⁸"He wraps up the waters in His clouds,
And the cloud does not burst under them.
⁹"He obscures the face of the full moon
And spreads His cloud over it.
¹⁰"He has inscribed a circle on the surface of the waters
At the boundary of light and darkness.
¹¹"The pillars of heaven tremble
And are amazed at His rebuke.
¹²"He quieted the sea with His power,
And by His understanding He shattered Rahab.
¹³"By His breath the heavens are cleared;
His hand has pierced the fleeing serpent.
¹⁴"Behold, these are the fringes of His ways;
And how faint a word we hear of Him!
But His mighty thunder, who can understand?"

Job 26:7-14 NASB (Emphasis Mine)

If these are fallen fringes, I can't wait to see the real thing.

Liberal Theology 101

"This is the traditional liberal line. Love is divorced from holiness and becomes mere sentimentality" (Albert Mohler).

With Uncertainty Comes Certainty

Distressed but not despairing.

Lord, while everything around me changes, You are still my only constant.

Watch for Wolves

"There has always been a large market for false prophets, because most people do not want to hear the truth. They prefer to hear what is pleasant and flattering, even if it is false and dangerous, over what is unpleasant and unflattering, even if it is true and helpful." (J-Mac)

I'll wait.

Sortin' Through Filth

1 more school day till Spring Break.

It isn't really going to be a break. Since I have a terrible memory, I made a Spring Break to-do list on Notepad, and that list has a few items that will keep me busy during my break. From sermon prep to applications, the future seems exciting. (Never a dull moment with Christ). Looks like next week might go from Spring Break to Spring Busy.

---
I was going through my old mp3s on my, now vintage, Dell Inspiron laptop. For some strange reason, I felt the need to backup my songs on the new HD that Jason got me. As I was transferring the songs, I started to play a bunch of my old favorites. I forgot how sweet these songs sounded! Every song I sang was so catchy the tunes were just amazing. I couldn't believe how much I still remembered after all these years. Every lyric rolled smoothly off my tongue as if it were high school all over again.

It was then that I realized exactly what I was singing.

In high school, you never really feel like you need to filter through the lyrics of songs. All you care about is how the song makes you feel (or how much it reminds you of the girl you like). Now, if you're wondering, I wasn't cussin' up a storm or anything. Give me a break... No, what made me step back wasn't the vulgarity of the lyrics, it was the idolatry.

Okay sure, there are certain songs from my past that I definitely wouldn't play driving in the car with my mom riding shotgun. I'm not talking about those songs. The songs that I was singing didn't have swear words or dirty language, but each one had the same recurring message regardless of the genre: relational idolatry.

I'm amazed at how passionately artists can sing about a single person, as if life without them would mean the Apocalypse. It's almost ridiculous. But this was the theme of every song I listened to, either explicitly or implicitly.

It reminded you of the days of high school and being so depressed because your crush didn't even look at you in 3rd period Spanish. And boy did that break your heart. Your world would come crashing down because a girl wouldn't give you the time of day.

You see, as foolish as that was, that was the extent of MY suffering in high school. It's funny how situations and occurrences like that would dictate my emotions for the day, week, or even the rest of the year. I was such a slave to that way of thinking that it would, in turn, affect my entire high school career. I'd worry about birthday parties, dances, and dates so much that it would take over your my mind. I just didn't want to be alone...

This corrupted way of thinking obviously leads to irrational acting. For me, this meant sitting in my on the brink of shedding tears over a failure to impress the "woman that I loved" with a corny joke. I recall even driving my car for miles down the freeway thinking about how great of a pair we would be, even though she didn't like me back. Of course, during this whole ordeal, I'd be singing with my buddies John Mayer and the Red Hot Chili Peppers who seemed to be the only people who could understand my suffering--go figure. However, the songs I sang didn't bring the healing to my heart that they promised. If anything, they only brought on deeper sorrow and anguish upon my unregenerate self.

High schoolers are emotional. Their world crumbles when a college denies their application, even more so with "relational Fails." They have enough teenage pathos to make them cry over small things like spilled milk; they don't need manipulative songs to corrupt them even more.

Look, it's easy to spot the songs about sex and drugs, that's not difficult. But I think that our young people are more susceptible to the songs with sweet melodic tones and deceivingly subtle lyrics. (I know that I WAS). This causes young people to idolize and elevate relationships to a dangerous level that may even damn their souls.

Man.. if teenage pop-singers who have no life experience can write a song about "true love," then I think we've lowered, skewed, and corrupted the biblical parameters of love. No longer does it reflect the nature of God, but it is the idolizing of relationships that masquerades as love.

So, how can you spot a song straight from the devil himself? Well, all you have to do is see if the song cultivates fleshly fruits in a person. If the song can get a 13-year-old to contemplate suicide over a minuscule relationship, then congratulations, you have successfully spotted a manipulative masterpiece straight from the father of lies.

If these young people continue to dwell in this plague, they will develop a sinful lifestyle.

They will become people who devote their efforts to a person instead of pursuing holiness. They will become people who see satisfaction with a sinner than with the Savior. They will become people who have sporadic emotions based on relational circumstances instead of having emotions based on the steadfastness of Grace. And finally, they will become people who are more afraid of loneliness than they are of a Holy God.

Our young people are afflicted by so many things. The world is targeting them because they are so spiritually weak. If we do not ground them with Divine truth, they will easily walk upon the crooked path. Discernment needs to be a part of the young person's vocabulary, so that they can filter through even the most subtle song lyric.

People, don't be fooled by the "cute" songs, because it is the cute ones that are directly from Satan. And it is the cute ones that could send you on a pathway to hell.

Look to the Savior. He will give you more joy than than any high school crush could ever give.

You see...
God is all you need, because God is all there is. Embrace His love, and He will embrace you forever.

-Micah

Can't Sleep

It's 7:19 AM and I've been up for an hour.

When there is a lot on your mind, you tend to lose sleep. And sleep was difficult. As I was attempting to rest, I was thinking about so many different things and so many different people. Some who are a great concern to me; others who are a great encouragement. But what kept me up last night wasn't just the people--it was the battle that was fought my mind.

Don't you hate it when you're in a tug-of-war with your flesh? Sometimes, the idols from your past, which you thought were gone, suddenly reemerge at the worst of times. They make an unwanted cameo in your head and the temptations of old seem to have returned to flirt with you once more.

My fear was that I would relapse into my old ways of thinking. Never do I want to go back to how I was before. God, in His lovingkindness, has given me a new nature. And with that new nature comes a new LIFE. The desire to sin is gone. My idols have been tossed to the flame. However, I still struggle with wanting to retrieve that old eye I "plucked out" so very long ago.

God, help me; for I am doing the very thing I hate.... by thinking the way I use to think.


Btw, Happy Lord's Day all... I hope you're at a church that teaches the bible.

*Emergent-cy* Universalist Sighted

Post-Modern ambiguity at its finest.

Come on Rob Bell, just answer the question.

Please, Not Again

Lord, is there anyone left to look up to?

I'm Not as Bad as Them!

Who knew you could be so convicted by a digression.

Pastor Felix continued his series on 1 John today. I think we've all been having a blast as we've been journeying through the intricacies of the entire book.

Today, we looked specifically at 1 John 3:6-8.

Once we tackled v. 8, Pastor went into a tangent on Satan and his practice of sin "from the beginning." He referenced a few OT passages, but what stuck out the me was when he alluded to Satan's fall. Now, we all know that Satan fell because of PRIDE, but we fail to see the connection to us. Pastor drove the application point home when he brought our church under the microscope.

Our church definitely excels in the area of teaching and preaching, that is just a fact. However, there are many dangers to that. Several things come to mind: complacency, stoicism, or even intellectual idolatry. But the major sin would be, yes, pride. Pastor noted how much God has blessed us at that church, but he also warned of the potential dangers that come with it. Specifically, pride and arrogance when you compare yourself to others.

To be honest, I've always struggled with comparing myself to others. I relapse into that sometimes when I THINK I've done something "good." (Pats on backs and compliments are so dangerous!) In fact, I've only rationalized my sin by saying "Well, I'm not as bad as this person or that person, so it's no big deal." What a terrible mindset. Man, sometimes your tainted mind makes you degrade the people around you just so you can have an elevated view of yourself.

But the text was sobering.

v. 7 "Little children, make sure no one deceives you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous"

Pastor reminded us that when we look at ourselves, we don't compare our lives to anyone else but Christ. He is the standard--the people are not. You can think you look good amongst a bunch of sinners, but try comparing yourself to the spotless Savior--now what do you see?

I know, right? That'll bring you to your knees in an instant. If it doesn't, you probably have a manipulated view of yourself or a corrupted view of Christ.

Look, the standard of holiness comes from the perfect life of Christ. He sets the bar--your family, friends, and church do not. The NT says, pride comes before the fall. Satan fell because he had a high view of himself. He placed himself above everyone, even God. Let's not be like Satan and have an exaggerated introspection that sees us a "good," but let us have a sober life reflection that sees us for who we truly are--wretched sinners in need of a Redeemer. And finally, let's kill the pride and cultivate the humility. Easier said than done eh?

Instead of being prideful, let's do the meekness-limbo for Jesus and stay as low as possible. Sound good? Kay.

Peace outside!

Perspective

I think I've beat on the accountability drum so much that I've made you guys deaf. If you guys know me, you know how much I desire for all of you to surround yourself with Godly individuals. These are people who will not only correct you when you sin but will help you keep things in the correct perspective.

First, I want to talk about my day.

Shepherds' Conference was refreshing. The bookstore, like last year, was boomin. Books everywhere! And at a pretty good price too. But aside from the books, the highlight of the night was the fellowship and the preaching. I was able to meet Zach and Thomas' bible study group today at Grace Community Church. They came over to fellowship with us, and it was great to finally meet and minister to them even if it was for a short time.

Macarthur preached tonight. He went to Mark 11 where Christ curses the fig tree and goes to the temple. I wasn't sure how he was going to tie this in with ministry, but J-Mac sure brought the application out clearly, and we all went "Ahhh I see it now." I feel the weight of ministry, and I understand how much God cares about genuine worship.

As I rolled into Bong's driveway, we ended up talking for quite some time. When instances like this happen, I cry out to Lord with full appreciation of the men he has surrounded me with. We were able to discuss the things of the Lord in such a manner that really helped me to appreciate what God has given me. I won't reveal specifics, but I can tell you that the topics and the content of our conversation was sobering and refreshing. Sometimes you need older brothers/sisters to help you keep it all into the right perspective. It is SO easy to have a point of a view that is just mistaken and then rationalize your position. When you have people that love and care about you enough to share their wisdom, you cherish it more than the greatest riches of the planet.

Decisions aren't clear sometimes. Ministry is difficult. People are difficult.

But having someone that pours their life into you helps you in these confusing times. Yes, decisions are still hard to make, and these people may have just made it harder for you. But these people help remind you that sometimes the difficult road is the road to pleasing the Savior. And they care and love you enough to tell you the truth.

I have been infinitely blessed to be surrounded by brothers that will tell it to me straight. If you are a believer today and you have no one like that in your life, I urge you to find someone who will be like that to you.

You cannot run the race lone-ranger-style. You need to be with people that will steer you in the right direction. Too many friends influence us in making decisions full of error. We need to be with the right people who put us on the right track.

I'm done. Sorry I didn't revise this one. Forgive the errors, but I just wanted to talk about my day and what I've been meditating upon. Thanks Bong, for teaching and modeling it. We need more men and women who are bold enough to live out their convictions.

There are too many wimps out there care so much about reputation that they don't want to do what is difficult. Specifically, living a life of integrity and holiness.

Let's be that generation that models this life for the next generation. That would be the best discipleship: the example of a life that pleases God and not man.

The Death of Me

Matt. 10:38-39

"And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it."

If you want eternal life, you must die.

Let it flow

In my English Composition class, we're learning about "free-writing." It is this process that attempts to extract your best ideas through constant uninterrupted writing. The implication is that your best ideas are your first ideas, and that is what needs to be unleashed. There is no need to worry about grammar and punctuation because you just want to find some content that may spark any other ideas for the future. Apparently, this is one of the best ways to get rid of writer's block, and I think it's fun.

I typically have some sort of theme whenever I blog, but I think I'll just free write this one. No theme. No logical flow. Just thoughts. (I will have punctuation though).

I'm in the middle of my study in Matthew 6, and I've been cut to the quick by the holy Word again. Who knew that brushing up on the Disciple's Prayer would be as convicting as the first day you learned about it. Thanks to this study, I've been in deep sorrow over the faults and wrong motives for my prayer life, and I can only thank the Lord for His constant mercy.

School has finally turned up the heat. Papers upon papers are starting to pile up on me (no pun intended--well, maybe a little). The 18 units is starting to hit home. On top of that, ministry is finally on its way for me. After being on a hiatus since the transition, I have finally got back into a consistent load of different ministries. However busy I may be, I would not have it any other way. The Lord has humbled me in so many ways (with instances leading to tears). And I don't dread it; I'm happy about it. The humbling just reaffirms His love for me and my holiness. I'd rather be kept meekly low than arrogantly up high in ignorant bliss.

Let me make a drastic change in topic. All this recent talk about relationships has been getting me all riled up. And this subject has always been a hobby horse of mine, so here it is... just for kicks. Teenagers and young adults, I hope I'm stepping on many of your toes. :D

Relationships...

Who am I NOT looking for?

1) Someone who will accept me for who I am

• No, I'm looking for someone who will help me be more like Christ.
  

2) Someone who I can mess around and flirt with

• No, I'm looking for a companion--someone to keep me pure. Someone who will be a potential wife (and a mother)

3) Someone who knows it all

• No, I'm looking for someone who will be teachable, and will be willing to learn alongside me through experience and discipleship.

4) Someone who I can go to the movies with

• No, someone who will co-labor in ministry with me. We'll go to Disneyland, and we'll go to the movies, but I want someone who will help me love God's people the way I should be loving His people.
  

5) Someone who's smokin' hot

• No, not by the world's standards. I'm looking for someone who's beauty reflects the marvelous nature of our glorious God in her entire character. Beauty that transcends physicality and one that emulates the Holy.

6) Someone who cannot live without me

• No, I'm looking for someone who will treasure Christ above it all (even me). Her love for Christ will trickle down to our relationship, just like my love for Christ will drive me to love her.
  

7) Someone I can use to make others jealous

• No, I want the world to see our relationship and see how we are modeling Christ and His bride--the church. I want them to be encouraged to follow after us, not because we are the standard, but because we are following after Christ. I want her and I to set the example for our disciples and our children, and to be triumphant where so many others have failed.
  

Yes, I know some of you are probably saying, "Micah, where are the verses?" I'm willing to bet you can pull these application points from Prov. 31, Gal. 5, Titus 2, 1 Peter 3, 1 Cor. 7, or Ephesians 5 (And I don't think I'd be proof-texting either). I think that her love for the Lord would automatically drive her to want to know more and more of Him (I wouldn't have to force her or drag her to do that). My prayer for my future wife is that she would already find full satisfaction in Christ regardless of her marital status. My fellow brothers, I hope you're praying and seeking one that is already like Christ.

Our Christian circles have idolized relationships so much that we have tip-toed worldly standards. It's time for us to reclaim the "right view of relationships" that God desires for all of us who are seeking to be married. Impossible standard? Not with God. I've seen these qualities in my mother, my sister, and my sister's in Christ. It's doable. The standard I give is not mine, it's Christ's. What we cannot do on our own, He will help us with.

I just pray that she be patient and gracious with me because I know that I ain't no catch. I apologize now because in the future, I know that I will mess up and fail. Yes, I'm not perfect, but I do think that the Lord has given me a desire to pursue perfection for His sake. Though I be faulty, I do promise her that I will try my best to work at holiness; and if we both are working at it, by God's grace, maybe He'll see us through to the end (I am pray fervently that He will see us through to the end). My hope will rest on the rock of Christ, and that is where I will lay our foundation.

Future wife, you can bet on that.

It's late. I have to sleep. I have to finish studying. I've ranted, and I've probably made people angry (wounds of a friend yo!). If I've encouraged you, please let me know. I would love to hear from you.

-Micah

Difficult but Fun

Okay, it's the last semester, and there is something strange about it. I'll be completely honest with you--I am really enjoying school. Yes, yes, the classes are a little heavy (due to massive load of 18 units), but I am managing quite well. (Of course, only by the Grace of God). You probably can't tell from this blog, but I feel like I'm becoming a better writer. The spelling is still terrible, but the writing is improving. I'm finding it much easier to place my thoughts on paper and I can actually convey my arguments with clarity. It's not that muddy anymore! (Well, sometimes).

School is fun. Aside from all the liberal plugs and soap box rants, I am enjoying school. I am even enjoying the professors that I have this semester. This is, definitely, not the same attitude from my first semester as an English major. During that first semester, I was surrounded by so much relativism and post-modernism that I felt like shooting myself. I couldn't stand it. Reading between the lines was an understatement. People were pulling meaning and interpretation out of their butts--I just couldn't believe it!

So what's the difference now? Why am I enjoying school NOW? The world sure hasn't changed. If anything, it has only gotten worse. Something must have changed, and I think I'd like to think that something was me.

I believe that the frustration I had in my first semester was due to a lack of maturity. I think my low tolerance for liberalism (and my fiery youthfulness) made me someone who was miserable in every English class I sat in. I couldn't stand the things that they said, and it was frustrating me so much. But looking back, I do believe that my misery was born from an inability to answer the DIFFICULT questions. Isn't that what typically makes us shy away from proclaiming the Gospel? Were afraid that people will ask us questions. It's the questions that we dread; all because we don't want to look like stupid people without the answer. And that was me. I was feeling stupid and unequipped for the battle I was fighting. I was fighting a two-headed evil monster, and I was armed with a spork. (Talk about not being equipped). That's why I wasn't satisfied. My professors and classmates were posing questions that I just could not answer.

The teachers and students have not changed. Everyone is still asking the same questions, even harder ones. But I am so thankful that the Lord has changed me. He didn't have to, but He did. I don't mean to sound arrogant with this, but I'm not afraid of the hard questions anymore. If anything, I welcome them with open arms. I know that being pushed helps me to grow even stronger with respect to salvation. I grow because I know where to find my answers. God has given me everything I need pertaining to life and Godliness in His Word, and it has been sufficient for my every need. (And by the way, I'm not worshiping the bible; I'm worshiping the God of the bible). Obviously, I cannot answer every question that is posed to me, that would be foolish to claim; however, life is so much clearer to me now that i view it through the lens of the Holy Writ. I'm not afraid of the difficult questions anymore because I don't believe out of ignorance anymore. I understand why I believe what I believe. This isn't some random religion that my parents imposed on me, but this is a faith that the God of this universe has so freely given to me, an undeserving wretched soul. It's okay to asks "Why?" That's how you formulate convictions.

You need strong convictions if your in college. If you don't have 'em, you'll get rocked. Now, I enjoy sitting through lectures and discussions. I guess it's because I've learned to test and filter every single piece of information that passes through my brain before accepting it. Because when your in college, it's the subtle things that you have to watch out for. (Those quick jokes and jabs could really do a number you). It feels good to keep up with your prof, understand his argument, and even challenge him when he sounds like he's mistaken.

I think confidence lies in who the Lord and Savior is. If I ever had confidence in myself, then I would fail every single time (because I got nuttin). This excitement I have doesn't come from anything that I have done; it comes from the work that Christ has done. I don't challenge the secular realm just for kicks, but I do it as a bridge to the Gospel. Hopefully you guys will be encouraged to study and understand the faith that yours because that is your witness to this unbelieving world.

Let's show them that Grace has arrived, and His name is Jesus.


-Micah


Matt. 5:13-16

The light isn't us.
The light is Christ.
Were just called to reflect it.

"Wait Wait Gotta Wait Wait"

Your time, not mine.


But I'd like some hints please.

Basketball and Poop

Philippians 3:7-11

My day today was defined by two things:

1) Breakfast with Zach, Pastor Felix, and Dr. Thomas
2) Basketball with the dudes

When I came home, I couldn't stop thinking about how much I ENJOY playing and watching basketball. The game itself is just so exhilarating. There is nothing like making a crisp pass to a cutting teammate, or blocking a shot and sending it to the sidelines, or even shooting a clean jump shot in rhythm and knowing it's in before it even reaches the hoop. I love this game, and I couldn't stop thinking about it when I got home this afternoon.

It was then that I remembered my breakfast with Dr. Thomas and Pastor Ed Caballero from Anaheim Community Church. It was a great time of food, fellowship, and observing older men and their conversations. I was even able to ask Pastor Ed some questions about balancing seminary, ministry, jobs, and family at the same time. I was thankful to grab some great insights from an experienced older brother in the faith. I will take them to heart.

So, how does this relate to basketball today? Well folks, as much as I LOVE THIS GAME, I love my Savior so much more. As much as basketball exhilarates me, church ministry fills me with a jubilation that keeps me alive. The joy from prayer meetings, the powerhouse of the church, are incomparable! Communication to God through prayers and receiving answers from His Word cannot be matched. Delivering a sermon to hungry saints is a worship experience unlike any other! Gospel ministry stands far above all other so-called "joys" in this life.

The defensive plays and sweet J's are but rubbish compared to serving the Almighty Creator that has washed me completely clean through the precious blood of His Son. My goodness... I look at what my life was and what my affections were before and it only amazes me how blind to the truth I was when I pursued those vain things. Thank God for grace.

People, basketball, as wonderful as basketball is, could not and cannot satisfy me for all eternity. College degrees, television, money, jobs, internet, video games, and relationships have a special place in the hearts of many many people but they will not ultimately satisfy. Paul in this letter to the church in Philippi reminds us that worldly accomplishments pale in comparison to knowing Christ Jesus. They are even to be considered "dung." If thought about properly, you see that we as sinners are clinging to temporary pleasures when we should embrace the infinite, all-satisfying supreme Being. And Christ must help us do that.

I was reminded today of how I struggle with "rubbish-clinging" every day of my life. My prayer is that the Lord will forgive me of settling for less than Christ by falling into the temptation of the world. Lord, guard us all from sin!

Beloved, you can use these things for the glory of God, but when this "rubbish" takes full priority in your life, and you have replaced a life with Jesus for these earthly accomplishments, then you have exchanged the riches of the glorious Christ for mere rags of crap.

Please take this to heart... and much love to you all.

-Brother Micah

Looking for a Beautiful Wife

Stumbled across this quote.

"[Aesthetics is] The area of philosophy formally concerned with defining the nature of beauty and discovering criteria or standards by which something can be evaluated as beautiful. In Christian theology beauty is usually defined as what reflects in some way God's own character and nature."

May our sisters seek the same true beauty that God defines in His Book.

It's about Godliness.

Love for the Word and Luther

Here is an excerpt from a book called "Rediscovering Expository Preaching."

Martin Luther (1483–1546) spoke of the supreme importance of the Word when he wrote, “The Word comes first, and with the Word the Spirit breathes upon my heart so that I believe.” He also noted, "Let us then consider it certain and conclusively established that the soul can do without all things except the Word of God, and that where this is not there is no help for the soul in anything else whatever. But if it has the Word it is rich and lacks nothing, since this Word is the Word of life, of truth, of light, of peace, of righteousness, of salvation, of joy, of liberty, of wisdom, of power, of grace, of glory, and of every blessing beyond our power to estimate."