God Answers Prayers

For the past several years I have been very burdened for my friend Ray who is in the Army. He was unsaved and quite content that way. He's had some very close calls during his three deployments (he is still in his third). In June he was home on leave and we spent quite a bit of time together. During that time I was able to talk to him a little bit about God and my dad also talked to him some this year and a year ago when he was home.

Last night I chatted with him for the first time in well over a month. He was recently moved to another base and was without access to a computer for a long while. During our chat he told me that he had become very close friends with the assistant chaplain and they had a lot of really good talks. We then proceeded to have a discussion about having a religion versus having a personal, intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. In the course of this conversation he told me that he had admitted that he was a sinner in need of a Savior and had accepted Christ as his personal Savior! I was floored. A rush of about a thousand emotions ran through me, at first a little bit of apprehension and disbelief, then the realization that this was actually happening, he had really become a believer. Years of praying and begging God to save him had payed off and Ray is now a fellow Christian.

As I considered all of this, my thoughts kept going to a phrase I use quite often, "Oh me of little faith!" How I had despaired of this day ever coming. I thought that God had probably just written him off, but how wrong I was! I am so thankful for a prayer hearing and answering God. A God who loves the whole world and is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. A God who loves each one of us individually, and cares about us and our burdens. Praise the Lord!

Day 5: A Favorite Quote

Once again, these favorite posts are getting to me! I have so many quotes which I love. I have found that other people seem to be able to say exactly what I am thinking. So many musicians, theologians, politicians, historians, philosophers, writers, actors, and many more throughout the history of the world have made many profound statements.

I think the One who made the most amazing statements in the world, He did and said more than anyone else in the world ever has or ever will do. This man is Jesus, all man and all God. He did and said so much that the apostle John said of Him, "And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen." (John 21:25 NJKV)

Jesus made so many profound statements that to pick only one is also nearly impossible. However, there is one of His quotes that is recorded by John that has meant so much to me over the years. "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled. Neither let it be afraid." (John 14:27 KJV) The peace that Christ gives, whether the peace given at Salvation, or the peace He gives during the ups and downs of life, it is a calming balm to a troubled soul. He is the "Balm in Gilead" and the One who is near to all no matter their joys or sorrows.

This peace that He gives is free to anyone who simply repents of his sins and asks Christ to come into His life. If you have never asked Him to be your Lord and Savior, Jesus is waiting for you, He wants to give you true peace. If you want to know more about Salvation click here.

Oh the joys of my life! I could go on and on! The reason I didn't post yesterday was because my internet was being funky! It is driving me nuts! I can't get onto the internet in the dorms, neither can most of the other girls. :( GRRRRRR!!!!! I have to go elsewhere on campus to be able to get online. It's very frustrating.
Yesterday was kinda boring. Nothing exciting happened in classes. It is spirit week, and yesterday's theme was blue and gold, which are our school colors. I didn't do anything for it cuz I really don't like gold, so as a result I don't own anything that is gold. I had to work like normal. After work I had some homework to do, and then I took a nap. It lasted a little bit longer than I was intending, like and hour in a half! YIKES! I guess I needed the sleep. It was wonderful.
Today was Western Day. I did wear a plaid shirt, denim skirt, boots, and had my roommate braid my hair. Yes, my hair really was up today! Shocking, I know! I got pictures, just to prove to those of you who know how much I HATE putting my hair up, that I actually did the cursed deed! :)
I played my cello in chapel today, I played "To God be the Glory." by Fanny Crosby. I picked that song on purpose because three years ago today I gave my life to Jesus, and WOW has He changed my life! :)

TO GOD BE THE GLORY

To God be the glory, great things He has done;
So loved He the world that He gave us His Son,
Who yielded His life an atonement for sin,
And opened the life gate that all may go in.

O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood,
To every believer the promise of God;
The vilest offender who truly believes,
That moment from Jesus a pardon receives.

Great things He has taught us, great things He has done,
And great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son;
But purer, and higher, and greater will be
Our wonder, our transport, when Jesus we see.

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the earth hear His voice!
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the people rejoice!
O come to the Father, through Jesus the Son,
And give Him the glory, great things He has done.

Just in case you are wondering, I managed to make it through the entire piece without harming myself or others! YAY! As I was setting up to play Bro. Randall made some announcement, then he got off the platform, guess he was a little bit nervous! He's got a nice red bump on his head! Poor guy! I do feel really bad, but I also think it is really funny! I guess I can't believe it happened. Sometime last semester, I can't remember if it was in a sermon that he preached, or if it was in a Sunday School lesson, he said that some students come and go and nobody really remembers them. Other come and leave a mark, some good and some bad. At the time that he said that I wondered if I'd leave a mark, well now I know! I wasn't planning on leaving a bad mark, but I sure managed to do leave one quite well! I'm sure he won't be forgetting me for a long time, although he will probably want to forget me. :) :)

I have lots of studying to do today. I have 2 tests and 2 quizzes tomorrow! YIKES!! Pray for me! I normally work on Tuesdays, so I would've been really pressed for time, but tomorrow night is the Valentine's banquet, and I'm not going, but one of the other girls is, and she normally works Wednesdays, but not Tuesdays so she asked to switch days with me. I was more than happy to swap!