Ezekiel 18:21-23 NIV

This passage is referring to a proverb and corresponding worldview that the Jews of the time were using to (a) excuse their wicked behavior because their fathers were so righteous that they were automatically righteous as well or (b) blaming all of their troubles on the sins of their fathers and not owning up to the fact that their own wickedness was bringing God's wrath upon them. The proverb is in verse 2, "The fathers eat sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge." In other words, the sins or righteousness of the father's affect their children.

"'But if a wicked man turns away from all the sins he has committed and keeps all my decrees and does what is just and right, he will surely live; he will not die.
None of the offenses he has committed will be remembered against him. Because of the righteous things he was done, he will live.
Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign Lord. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?'"

This passage greatly encourages me because I have so often turned to wickedness, away from the path that I should follow, yet I can know that if I truly repent and turn from my sin, God will forgive me and save my life. What a gracious, merciful, and loving God I serve. I hope that all who read this may know Him too.

I Made It!

I made it home today, without any incident... well, sorta. I only arrived with half of my luggage, and hopefully my other suitcase will show up at my doorstep very soon. But the flights were fine, I slept most of the way. I also felt pretty good all day, and I feel fine right now. Thank God! I sure am glad that this virus didn't hit me 24 hours later! Well, I got back and visited my brother because he was having an open house at his new place. It is pretty sweet, I used to collect garbage on his street, of course, I collected his garbage at his old place too. Then I got home and had to rearrange my room back to my liking because Cheri had turned it into another room for her. Well, well, well, things are gonna change! lol Anyway, I am sorta tired and I am going to church tomorrow, which is exciting, so that is all for now. I may put some more pics of Fl. up in the coming days.
Call me if you want to do anything over break!!

I'm Coming Home

I will be leaving The Institute in approx. 7 hours and 10 minutes. Today was a pretty much awful day, I was sick all day, throwing up till 2 pm. I am hoping and praying that I will be fine tomorrow! I am looking forward to seeing all of you in the next few days!

"Tomorrow! Tomorrow! ..."

I know that I have been not been haste in my updating and I apologize. We have been quite busy here with the end of the semester looming ever closer. We have biography projects that are due today that we have all been working hard at. I got mine done a full day ahead of time (can you believe it, Dad?). I chose to study Daniel. I have three separate lessons and a creative component. The idea behind the lessons was to have a mini series type project that we could present for retreat type setting or just have a lesson to pull out if we are ever told to speak that coming Sunday evening on that Friday.
Tomorrow I fly home to cold weather, family and friends , and my own room and stereo. In that order. Today it was in the seventies and raining and humid. We had a nice time together as a team at Ben and Christina's house and a small bonfire outside. I was quite warm the whole time.
The street sweeper is coming around the circle for his second and final run this evening as he does every Saturday morning. It is actually quite loud. I really should be getting to bed, we have one final class tomorrow in which we are not sure what we will be doing. Lord willing I will see you many of you in the coming few days.

It's My BIRTHDAY!!!!

And all of you are missing it! Sorta. Thank you for the cards and messages. I greatly appreciate it.

Today we watched as the world was destroyed and laid sod at another H4H house. We lost our softball game miserably. Oh well, it was the last one of the season. I need to do some devo's and get to bed, tomorrow morning we are working on our Biography projects.

Welcome to Decemeber

I can't believe that it is December already!! Maybe because it doesn't feel like it is nearing winter. Yesterday we ripped the roof off of the 2nd half of the church and Pastor Dave's house and it was hot! I hear that it was pretty warm last week in PA, but I was sweating and got some sun! Oh brother, these Floridians dont deserve Christmas with their hot weather. :P At least that is my joke with people.
Well, over Thanksgiving break I feel like I didn't do much, but that is only because I don't remember. We didn't have class for about a week. I was at the Brewer's for Thankgiving. They were kind enough let me come over. I went to the Florida Mall on Black Friday! That was nice. Then we went to Downtown Disney in Orlando. That was pretty boring without money, so I saw "Stranger Than Fiction". It was alright. I got to drive the whole way home (about 1.5 hrs) and I got us to the door at excatly 0200, right on time. I really enjoy driving any chance I get here. I am also one of the best drivers here. Half of the students crazy or scary, the other half are good. :) I was taught well, thanks Dad! The next day we went back to Orlando and spent the night at the interim pastor's house for a small GBC there. On Sunday we led worship since their worship team was on vacation. The church only has about 25 people now and they meet in a theater. They sold their building and school and bought a "mobile church", which is sound equipment packed in a trailer that they set up each week.
This past week we had class. On Tuesday we looked at Mormomism and Scientology, both wacky religions. Did you know that Joseph Smith, founder of Mormonism, was shot to death in a prison raid? He was the prisnor. Scientology was founded by a sci-fi writer who began it to make money. It believes that an alien lord captured other alien souls and sent them to earth where they inhabit human bodies which gives us our emotions and confusion. yeah. Wednesday and Thursday we got through the first 4 chapters. Friday was with Aaron and we did Philippians. Work wise, on Tuesday we cleared some jungle from Mike Ford's ranch so the prayer walk would look nicer. Mike is a godly man who lives in a ranch in Lorida and allows people to have functions there free of charge with hopes of sharing the Gospel with them. Wednesday we had our last Cross Connections of the month, wrapping up our series on the family and we ate spaghetti. On Thursday we washed some fire trucks. Friday we finished building a picnic table for a couple in the church and that evening Travis and I got to ride on a fire truck in the Sebring Christmas parade! That was a neat experience. The circle is now lit up like Candlylane, but very tacky with dolphins, alligators, flamigos, and racing flags. There is also very annoying music that plays all day long till about 2200. Saturday was the roofing, 10 hours of roofing. Today we went to the late service (Thank you Ben!) and then to dinner at someone's house who I can't spell. Randy and his family was there as well. From there we went to Pastor Dave's house for 2 hours and cleaned up the mess we made yesterday. And there you go, now you are all caught up. Tomorrow I have a lead on a job offer and hopefully I will get to do some work that pays! That would be great, wouldn't it parents? Well, I guess you want to see some pictures too, so here you go. I intentionally put them after this to see if you would really read all of this before looking at them.

This is the Kid City float. The children's ministry at the church

Travis and I are on top, right above the left-most silver panel. The other kids are a family that works with the department.

Me after getting back from 10 hours of roofing. I was pretty dirty.

My dirt line, no I am not that tan.

This is just hot, what can I say.
(besides the fact that it is out of focus!!!)

I am sorry that there are so few pictures. I have been forgetting to take my camera to the places that we go.

4 Days!!

I have not abandonded this blog, I will update. But for now before I go to church....
4 DAYS TILL MY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!