Sunday, January 1, 2012

The year of 2011!




WOW!!!

Can't believe it is the end of another year!! If this blog ends up being used for only one post a year, I'm okay with that. Life's busy and blogging just hasn't been a priority for me. But for those who are actually interested, and more so just for personal reflection, I am in awe when I begin to think about this year in review. I just finished reading my last years review... and am reminded of how much change has actually occurred in my life again!

This has been a year of stretching, growing and many new discoveries. It has truly been the best year of my life. I don't just throw that around either. I have experienced more joy in life this year than I ever have and I know it is just the beginning. That's actually one of the things I have been praying for... is that God would lead me to live in his joy. Which really is just the fruit of living life with Jesus in the first place... it's joyful. It's not easy nor was it ever promised to be easy... in fact I expect life to get harder as I want to grow more this next year than I ever have. But back to the past...

The first, biggest and best highlight of the year was/is DATING LAURA SILLETTA! I'm still in awe of God's grace and his blessing... If you asked me two years ago if this would ever happen I would have definitely laughed and said no simply because this girl was way outta my league. But GOD had other plans and after having the biggest crush on her for 10 months during which I knew I wasn't the man of God I needed to be for someone... on April 6/11 the goodness began! I can't speak highly enough of this woman. I am by far a better person since we've been together... and that just says so much about her love for others and desire to see others blessed and benefited before herself.  She has such an incredible love for Jesus and the highest priority for the kingdom of God. Besides meeting Jesus she is the best thing that has happened to me. I could go on for a while... but I think you get the idea ;)

Then was the Band of Brothers boot camp again... This year I dragged a few friends along with me and we saw God do some flippin' MIRACLES in lives. One of my really close friends/mentors Roy, had severe, crippling back pains and had this insane supernatural healing experienced that he could only describe as "DUDE I SPOONED WITH JESUS LAST NIGHT!!!" Haha but yea... his back is still awesome. God heals. Straight up! Already looking forward to this weekend in 2012! A big of gold from last years notes:
A real man:
T: takes courage + initiative
R: resists passivity
A: accepts responsibility
P: presses on toward the goal of Gods kingdom in him and through him
S: seeks + loves God with all his heart, mind, soul and strength
S: serves + loves others with all our time, talent and treasure

Then came the craziest 4 months of my life. Me and Laura were away from each other for 8 weeks over the span of several months... obviously that sucked. I was away travelling with the City Youth team for 4 weeks at Nanoose Bay Teen Camp, Street Invaders Surrey + Saskatchewan and finally Imadene Sr. Co-Ed. These weeks were awesome. Definitely challenging being away from home for so long. But God moved in the lives of so many young people and for that I am so thankful. God also seems to have a way of blessing you more as you are blessing others... It's this sweet principle of giving. With God you always get more than you started with. Then I was incredibly blessed to be apart of my Adore's (my home church of GT) first album recording for two weeks in gastown Vancouver. I am still amazed at God's grace and so thankful to have been able to be apart of this project. God has created each of us for a purpose... that purpose can take shape in many different ways. For me it will always have something to do with worship, music, writing songs, developing worshipers/discipling and fighting/leading in worship. It's amazing how I can't run away from that call. Too often I forget, get distracted and too busy. But God always has a way of pushing you back to who he created you to be whether you want him to or not! All in all, great summer. Hard, but awesome. This next summer is definitely going to look alot different.

October-December was a time of rest and refreshment and lots of time with Laura. It's been fantastic. Definitely the best months in our relationship and God has grown me so much in the quietness of my bedroom. Adore also put on its first conference which was an awesome weekend. God blew me away all over the place. Definitely lots to look forward to next year!

God has been pushing me lots to be investing more into other people. One recent idea I had was to encourage someone everyday. Whether its a facebook mesage, a phonecall or just a short word... it's not hard. God's really working on making this just who I am.

I awoke today with two scriptures in my heart. I'm the type of person who can be extremely self-critical because I know I can live better than I am and theres so much in me that I dislike (similar to what Paul says.."I do exactly the things I dont want to and don't do what I do." But God reminded me Romans 4:5

5 But if you see that the job is too big for you, that it's something only God can do, and you trust him to do it-you could never do it for yourself no matter how hard and long you worked-well, that trusting-him-to-do-it is what gets you set right with God, by God. Sheer gift.

That he is the one who transforms and will change me to be more like him. It's not in my hard work. His command to me and you is found in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

16 Be cheerful no matter what; 17 pray all the time; 18 thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.

Live in the now. Enjoy what God has given you today. Celebrate his grace + love in your life. Be thankful.. I can truly say that every good thing in my life is a result of Jesus. Obedience to God will bring you to the most joy, fufillment, purpose-filled, fruitful life you can imagine.. 'cause he is all-good and knows what's best. Let him lead you and enjoy the beautiful adventure of 2012 :)



post signature