I am 20..... WHAT?

                It has been a long time since I last posted and I am so sorry for that. I have been slammed packed with all kinds of things going on. Get ready, buckle up, and enjoy this long post.

                So exactly a week ago today marked the kick-off and ending of 180 weekend. This year I was blessed to have 6^th grade boys. Now you’re probably thinking why would he want 6^th grade boys? Well it wasn’t my first choice but it was God’s way of teaching me something incredible. Over the weekend we had loads of fun skits and even Justin Bieber came!!!! GASP! Ok… fine it was me. It was such a great time! The most important thing I learned over the weekend was patience and God taught me that I just have to be patient and wait on His timing and all He had in store for me. (Jeremiah 29:11) I was blessed with an incredible host home, and incredible students. I loved working with students because they have hearts that are ready to learn about Christ and always are interested in hearing new things each and every single day. The coolest thing that happened all weekend was on Sunday. We had a lot of great group time but on Sunday during the worship service I was given the opportunity to lead the song “Our God.” That song was song all weekend and to see over 130 middle school students singing their hearts out I really can’t explain. All I can say is I got to see God move in a unique way over the weekend and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. God is using the students of 180 weekend and its awesome! Not to mention the 40 day fast was incredible and I wouldn’t trade the time with the Lord for anything.

                Last Wednesday I called The University of Mobile to ask them a simple question about the Fall 2011 semester and when it began. As I spoke to my advisor I asked a few questions and then he said, “Aaron congratulations you have been accepted!” All that was rushing through my head was…. WHAT???? God taught me at 180 to be patient and the whole week I wasn’t worrying about the school and God just made everything work out. I am so excited for what God has planned for my life and I can barely hold back my excitement. Now I am fully trusting He will provide all the funding that I need to go to the school. It is so awesome to see how God works in His timing. It may seem stressful at times but if we fully rely and depend on Him then we wouldn’t be stressing or getting worried about the simple things.

                January 22^nd 1991 the day I was born at midnight in the middle of a blizzard. Saturday was my 20^th birthday. Little did I know that my friends, family, and church family had something up there sleeve. Paige, Hillery and Beverly  took me to eat at Chick-Fil-A. Then we went and ran some errands and ended back at the church. Now all week I have been asking my parents what we were doing for my birthday and didn’t get a single reply so it was kind of interesting to me. We got to the church and I saw the cars of a lot of people I knew. We walked into the gym and everyone screamed surprise! I didn’t know what to do… I was surprised even though it seemed like I knew I was surprised. Not only was it a great birthday it was greatest of all. I got to spend my birthday with friends, family, and my church family. What a blessing! I owe a big thank you to everyone that had something to do with the party. I also want to thank my parents and family that I love very much. I am so richly blessed to have a great church family at RidgeCrest and words can’t even begin to thank them all.

                As I leave behind my teenage years and move to adulthood I look back and think of all the incredible things God taught me. That also excites me to think about all that he is going to teach me here in the near future. I can't wait to look back again 20 years from now and just be amazed at how awesome and wonderful our God is and all that he continues to teach me.

                My prayer for this week is that God will continue to use me at RidgeCrest and that I will fully rely on Him and not stress and worry about the simple things because he is fully in control. I challenge everyone this week to spend 20 minutes just singing out praises to the Lord. If that means singing that you’re thankful for the food you have so be it. It is really cool to see how God can speak to us through the little things.

Have a great week! 

SNOW!!!!

                So as most of you I am sure have heard Mississippi pretty much shut down this past weekend for a winter storm. Now when I say winter storm your thinking like a foot or two of snow people stuck inside…… Yea that didn’t happen here. It makes me smile to think we all freak out over the little things. Snow is such a beautiful thing and yes it can be very dangerous but it also can be just a simple beautiful thing. I will say the one plus to the winter storm was no school on Monday the downfall is we cancelled church and I really enjoy being with my church family on Sunday’s, so that was much missed.

                180 weekend is this week and I am so pumped to see all that God has in store for the students here at the church. So I ask one thing of you this week and that is to pray for what God has planned for this weekend and that we will follow the Lord and His direction for us.

                I heard something today that really caught my attention. A child’s dad here at our church was telling me about his son opening his Bible one day and saying, “Dad there sure is a lot of blood in this Bible.” Now you’re probably thinking…. WHAT? He was talking about the verses in bold read but I was thinking to myself that is so beautiful because it is true. God sent His son to die on the cross for us and we are to live by His word. In my opinion God’s blood is all over the book because its His guideline for us and what he wants for us to do with our lives. I know the next time I see bold red words in my Bible I am going to thank God for all that he has done for me and rejoice that He has saved me from all of my sins.

                Finally I want to leave you with this question for today. Do you speak about God and all he has done instead of just thanking him all the time? 

Thank you Lord!

                Last Friday I drove to Kentucky to meet my family there to see my Pappaw because he was doing really badly. I was walked in the door of their house and saw how small and weak he had gotten it broke my heart. I needed a second to just break down and cry so I did so. We returned back here late Sunday night in hopes that my Pappaw would get to the end of next week. Yesterday morning we received the call that he passed. I am so blessed to have been able to see him a few days before and tell him how much I loved him and got to see my entire family which was great. May God be praised for the 89 years that my Pappaw lived on this earth and all he meant to my family, the community of Grayson Kentucky, and for fighting for our freedom during the war. I love you Pappaw and I am proud to be your grandson. (Jim Collier 1921-2011)

 

                180 weekend is just one week away and I am so excited for all that God has in store. As it approaches the fast is slowly coming to an end and yet I am not really looking forward to that because it has been so great to spend all this extra time in prayer. I plan to continue a fast but in a unique way and that is praising and thanking God every time I see Him working and for all that He has done for me. For He alone deserves all of the praise.

 

                I started my spring semester at Holmes on Wednesday and I am so excited for the classes I have and the teachers that I have this semester they are all so nice and I am just really blessed. It has been so incredible all that God has taught me during this time at Holmes Community College and all of the great friends I have made as well as people I have been able to share the word with. My prayer for this semester is that God will continue to use me at the school and that many will come to know him.

 

                I woke up at 5 am this morning from a dream that I received an acceptance letter from UOM( I have not received this yet waiting on god’s timing). I never wake up that early as well rested as I did today and I now see why. So as I walked to my car outside at 6:15 to head to school that early I was wondering to myself what in the world am I doing? I went and picked up some breakfast and got to class and as I listened in class all that was going through my head was overflowing thoughts of worship and leading worship. It was as if God was giving me a glimpse of what He has planned for me to do. I can’t even express the excitement that I felt. I feel like I am experiencing living a life of worship to an extreme or seeing a glimpse of it and I long for that. Now as my day progressed I got to work and just felt joy running through my veins until all the sudden I received a phone call and a message from a dear friend. Both of which were very discouraging and it is as if the devil was so mad at what I was feeling that he took a ton of bricks and hit me with them. All that God was showing me the devil hated and so he distracted me. A friend called me to pray with me and that was just such and encouragement. I then decided to go home spend some time with some friends of mine that are pretty much family. During that time of reflection, laughter, and prayer God just took that ton of bricks that was distracting me and discouraging me and lifted it. God was there for me to help lift me up when I was down. He is always there and it just amazes me. Now that I look back at those things that were distracting me I see just road blocks that I can go around and work through because God has a plan. God has a plan for me and my life and I am excited to see and know what that is but I have to be patient that God will bring it at His timing. While I wait I plan to continue to lift and praise up the name of Jesus. The devil doesn’t like it when we are close to God and this week the devil has been trying to attack me but I am putting on the armor. I pray each morning for the shield of faith to repel all fiery darts that come my way, for the breast plate of righteousness to protect and guard my heart and leak his glory to all who I come in contact with. God be with me, mold me, and use me in however you see best fit Lord.

                As I close this rather long post I just want to Praise the name of Jesus for who He is and will always be. I am glad to be saved by the grace of Jesus Christ and it is through Him that I make it through each and every day. PRAISE GOD!

 

Today Lord I stand

                What a blessing it is to be able to celebrate Christmas with my family. To all be together under one roof laughing, loving, and sharing good times together. Yesterday was Maria’s first Christmas since she has been home from China and it is always a fun time to have 3 little girls so excited about the gifts under the tree. The coolest thing I heard from my sister Laura was when she made a song. Her song wasn’t something that rhymed or even sounded great but it was something that had true meaning to it. She sang about how we get gifts on Christmas but how the real gift is Jesus and how she loved Him with all of her heart. This took me back for a second to see my little 7 year old sister worshipping God in her own way and I found it so beautiful. After opening all the gifts and eating a wonderfully prepared meal by my parents we sat and listened to Andrew (my oldest brother) read the Christmas story. It was such a wonderful day with the family and for celebrating the true meaning of CHRISTmas which is our Lord Jesus Christ.

                All week I have been preparing for today’s worship service and felt that God was bringing one song into my head every single day. That song, which is Glory in the Highest, has such beautiful/ wonderful lyrics. So I added the song and trusted that God would have complete control of it and help all the things to fall together. As I woke up this morning refreshed and ready to lead in worship I felt such a peace in my heart and all around me, a love and comfort that I have never experienced before of God just holding me up on stage and using me to lead His congregation is worship. As I looked out all I saw was the glory and majesty of Christ which made me smile and rejoice the whole time. As I walked off the stage and Bro. Phil came to preach I had a feeling that is hard to explain on where God wanted me. I have known for almost 2 years now that he has been calling me into ministry but I had no firm answer where he wanted me to be, to do, to go. I have been pursuing Worship Ministry because thats where I feel God has gifted me and was waiting on God to direct me to where he wanted me.This morning I received a confirmation from the Lord and I know for sure that God has called me to be a Worship Leader and to lead His church in worship. If He tells me to move I shall. I will follow you God!  Where you tell me to go I will go, where you tell me to stand I will stand, and whoever you tell me to love I will love Lord. Be praying for me as I continue to follow God’s direction and live my life for His glory until the end of my days.

                This is day 39 of no soft drinks, and day 20 of fasting for 180 weekend. I love the question that the devotional asked yesterday.  Are you growing or are you stuck because you are blind and nearsighted? As Christians I feel we should always be growing and never be satisfied with where we are. How many times though do we actually do a check-up on ourselves to see how we are doing, or having someone keeping us accountable? Do we challenge ourselves in the word or just challenge others? We are going to suffer as Christians and it says so in the Bible. It won’t be an easy path but the word promises that it is a path worth taking. I love what it says in 1 Peter 3:17-18; “For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.” He died for us so why don’t we serve Him and follow His commands for our life. I can honestly say that without God it would be impossible for me to make it through fasting. He is greatly helping me get through it each and every day.

                Finally something that I know is true to the word is that prayer works and if we call on the name of the Lord He will answer us in His timing. I wanted to end this post with saying that I am praying for everyone who reads this post. I may not know who you are but God does and that He will speak to you in an incredible way this week.

                 Here is a song I wrote that I feel God put on my heart to share.

Verse:

I serve the Lord, I serve the King of glory now,

In this time of desperation Lord I’ll praise you in this nation.

I speak the truth, all I truly need is you.

Chorus:

Today Lord we stand, here in your hand

Help our eyes to see all your making us to be,

God we sing your our everything. 

Praise HIM!

          What an incredible week it has been. I can truly say that we serve a beautiful God. I love him so much.

            I have felt led this past month to give to different organizations. Now this may seem easy but when there isn’t the funding its kind of hard. But I still gave anyways knowing that God was going to provide all my needs. Now remember me saying the funding wasn’t there well God provided the funding that I needed as well as a bit more. How incredible! Our God supplies all of our needs and He is so beautiful.

            I am still waiting for an acceptance letter from The University Of Mobile, which I know if God wants me there He will be opening that door. The other night I had a dream that I received an acceptance letter. Now I am not saying I believe that dreams tell what is in store but I am saying that I think and know that God gives us signs in many different ways which is really cool. So I will just continue to wait on that letter with my head held high.

            Last week I was given the opportunity to hangout with the senior adult ministry and what a treat it was. I really enjoy so much hearing their incredible stories on what God has been teaching them as well as all that God has done in their lifetime. I also was able to go caroling with the Adult Choir, how incredible! It was awesome to get to just share the joy of Christ and Christmas to those who are unable to get out. It was such a great surprise for them as well as us. 

            Christmas is such an incredible time of year. A time of giving….. GIVING….. Speaking of Giving God gave the greatest gift of all, His son. What an incredible thing our Savior gave His son on the cross for our sins. So why don’t we thank Him this Christmas and worship our King with all of our heart and soul and adore Him.

            Finally… Day 33 of no soft drinks and Day 14 of fasting for 180 weekend. Like I said before fasting so far has been an incredible journey and I have really enjoyed all of the extra time with the Lord. This Sunday I have been asked to lead Sunday morning worship. I am so excited and can’t wait to see what God has in store. Praise Him from whom all blessings flow. 

Stay Amazed

                Christmas break is here! What an incredible week it has been for many reasons. Sunday was the Christmas program here at RidgeCrest. After months of preparing, praying, and learning music it was here. It is incredible to see how God just makes everything work out and how nothing is in our control. Just seeing the ballet dancers worship and our choir sing with all they had to the Lord and be a part of it was incredible. Giving our everything in a way of showing God how amazing He truly is. Words truly can’t describe how awesome it was. I know for me it was just refreshing to be able to be with my family of believers and worship. TRUE WORSHIP!

                As we tore the stage down yesterday and put everything back in its place where it was all back to normal I looked out at all the seats in the sanctuary and just cried tears of joy. Tears flowing from my face just amazed on how wonderful our God truly is. The one that never ever ceases to amaze Abba Father our creator. The one that never fails or leaves me. I just want to pour out my love for Him and just dance and sing in utter love for you Lord.

                I am still waiting to hear something from The University of Mobile. I normally would be worried and stressed about it but God has just given me a peace that he is in control and that He has a great plan for me.

                I really enjoy being able to get to know family’s that I haven’t talked to before because everyone has a unique story and from each of those stories I learn something new. I am so blessed to be able to get to know all kinds of new students as well.

                Finally….. Day 27 of no soft drinks and Day 8 fasting for 180 weekend. Fasting is more than just giving up something but spending that time with the Lord. I am enjoying spending much more time in the word and in prayer with my savior. 

December 7th

This marks day 20 of no soft drinks as well as day 2 of fasting from Chick-Fil-A, Television, and Sweets for 40 days leading up to 180 weekend.  I am so excited to be spending more time in the word and getting back in shape which is going to be really cool. This 40 day journey may be difficult at times but I know I can do it with Christ.

                So this past weekend was very busy but I enjoyed every minute of it. On Friday I was able to go to see Christ Tomlin, Christy Nockles,  & Louie Giglio with a few friends. It was one of those things that I have always wanted to be able to do because not only are they incredible worship leaders but they are incredible speakers as well. It was a good night of praise and worship, a night I won’t forget. Saturday was the Madison parade which I have not been in one parade since I have lived in Mississippi so it was a great experience. Sunday the Student Choir went caroling at Baptist Hospital. What an incredible afternoon it was to be able to go and pray for the sick, encourage, and show the love of Christ.

                This Sunday is the Christmas program at RidgeCrest which we have been praying for months about. I know God is going to do some awesome things and I can’t wait to see all that he does through the worship ministry.

             
                I am so thankful for all the encouragement I have gotten this week. It amazes me how when I am having an awful day and feel let down God just send someone to help just encourage and lift me up. He is such a great master and I love Him with all my heart.