Day 33: Smoke

So I just got back from work and so many things happened tonight I just don't know exactly how I'm gonna process it all. So the other day in school we were watching part of a movie called "Smoke". It was a movie about so many coincidences that led to other minor events that changed people's lives. It was pretty cool. Today I worked and they taught me how to work the headset. Coincidentally I had called Caroline and she came to see me at work along with Hudson, Anna Wood, Rebecca Wesson, Maggie Chadwick, Rachel Conry, Doug Wright. I was crazy learning headset. How to clean up the Drive Thru, etc. It was intense. Then, when cleaning I find that Caroline and Anna and Rebecca and Maggie got in a car accident.

I was so shocked when I heard the news. I called them and ran out to see the ordeal because it happened two hundred yards down the road and right after they had come to visit me. I (despite the fact I know it is pretty much irrelevant) could not help but feel like if they hadn't come to visit me it might now have happened. All I can say though is praise the Lord that they are OK. I am so glad, so thankful, that I was able to see them. It was so stressful. But praise His name! Praise Him for He is so wonderful. SO glorious. Amazing.

---- The Walking Man

Day 31: Why Write?

This morning was accountability group, and since Hudson had some sort of bug, Leo and I had some nice discussion time. I love the sunrise from Briarwood. I gotta say it looks nice and so I was disappointed when I realized that I didn't have my camera. I had my phone so this is what I took. I like being able to write next to the picture, but if you look down there you can see Leo's jeep. We took it out this morning after accountability group and found a few little trails down off Old Rocky Ridge Road, a little mud, a few, bumps, and we had a bit of fun. Like I said I wish I had my camera, but I guess I'll remember to not go places without it anymore.

So what shall I tell you today? What little seed shall I plant in your mind? Cause that's really all I do. Just express my thoughts and thus plant a few in your mind. I guess I want to let you see how I think. Its funny cause we are going over in English why this guy started writing. He said he met some famous baseball player, but couldn't get his autograph cause he didn't have a pencil at the time. He carried a pencil with him all the time from that moment on and then began writing. I will say I'm not like that, but I feel that way with my camera I just don't take it everywhere. But my line of thinking is so strange, so weird, that even I don't understand why I do half of what I do. I get obnoxiously stupid most of the time, and get overwhelmed with my own thoughts sometimes and there really isn't anywhere to deposit them.

I will say, though, lifting up all I've got to God is one of the most difficult I do. Giving Him control over everything is almost impossible. I think I've posted about this before, but I don't know how to say it. I just get at this point where I want to give it up so badly, but I just can't. It fills me up with helplessness, but I want to give it to Him. I want to want to do it. I want to want to. But I just don't want to. The idea of abandoning my problems and leaving them in His hands. Its just difficult. "To have faith is to be sure of what we hope for; to be certain of what we cannot see." Hebrews 11:1. Take up your cross daily and follow him.
---- The Walking Man

Day 29: The Fishin Song

Brad Paisley's Fishing Song is pretty awesome, so is the Cigar Song. A Guy had to choose between his wife and fishing and he went fishing ha. Great right? I love Brad Paisley! But Saturday, before my soccer game, I went fishin with Scottie which was pretty awesome. Here's what it looked like. Fishing is pretty awesome, especially when I've been like 4 or 5 times ever ha. Anyways. We didn't catch anything cause it was a little rinky dink pond that had diseased fish and stuff, but the weather was great and it looked amazing outside! Really beautiful that day.

What's up next? I don't know. I've spent alot of the past week or two being confused on life. Just what I'm doing and what I want to do is just beyond me. I kinda go with it, but what I hate is taking directions from others. Its so difficult for me. Listening to other people tell me how to do something is ok. Unless they are doing it when I'm supposed to do it. I prefer for people to say ok you take a right here then left on this street then up down backflip 360. Not, ok take a right... NOW! NOW LEFT! STOOOOP!... It just kills my focus and I freak out. I like to have an idea of what I'm doing instead of just going into it blind.

Its something in my life that makes my sole reliance on God very difficult. Its one of those things I have to focus on every single day. I need to remember that He is in control. Otherwise I lose sight of the right mentality. Instead of saying, "Ok God, tell me what's happening today." I need to say, "Ok I can't do this, God, lead me. Let me trust that You will give me the strength to get through it all." Cause that's what the Bible says. God doesn't necessarily save you. He gives you the strength, the ability, to take salvation. So its like you save yourself, but you can't do it without God. "He will not allow you to be tempted beyond your power to remain firm. He will give you the strength to endure it." he doesn't pull you out of the hole, he gives you the strength to come out of it. He will place you on the solid rock so that you can lift yourself up, and He will lift you up, but only so that you can stand strong for Him.
---- The Walking Man

Day 26: Rachael Luther

I'm not sure if she reads my blog, but rachael luther is a girl from South Carolina on the BYG missions trip to New York. Her and Amber Sweeney and Meredith Jones are like BFF's from South Carolina haha. But I wanted to talk a little about Rachael cause I've just been talking to her recently about her move. She is moving to GREECE! That's right land of the greeks, home of pita bread, mythology, and exotic men and women, but mostly women. Anyways her parents are missionaries and they are going to Greece once they sell their house. I forget how long they will be there but its definitely a long term trip! Keep them in your prayers! I would love that, just saying. Despite having to leave all my friends and everything, going to a new country sounds pretttty awesome ha.

Anyways, I have an Economics test next period and two soccer games tonight and its very possible that my very own McCoy Evans will be in town to have lunch with me later! Exciting! Anyways, I need a little prayer for tonight as well. Just a little prayer to tame my pride. Playing soccer makes me prideful because I've always been good at it and so when I don't play I get frustrated and big-headed. I start talking people down, I start making excuses or talking about my coach negatively and its wrong. Also, I get really caught up in the game, I sometimes forget to give that glory to God. I do my best to recognize Him for every great play I make, but sometimes you just forget. It's pretty difficult. Anyways, just pray for me with that.

Pride is just one of those sins you can't see. One of those sins that takes it all away from you before you realize that you've brought it all on yourself, because pride makes you blame others. You can't see the problem inside of you because Pride is so good at blocking itself from your view. You must seek it out. You must remember that you are worthy of absolutely nothing but to writhe and grovel at the feet of God. Probably not even worthy of that. Every Gift you have is from Him.  "Every good gift and every perfect gift comes down from above, from the Father of Lights with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning." James 1:14?
---- The Walking Man

Day 23: Jabberwocky

“’Twas brillig, and the slithy toves/ Did gyre and gimble in the wabe:/ All mimsy were the borogoves,/ and the mome raths outgrabe.” So does anyone know what that means? I don't but I did a poetry analysis on it just now. It was weird. But  anyways, this is what my mom got me for valentines day cause I couldn't have candy. She always fixes heart shaped pancakes the saturday before valentines day and then gives us candy on valentines day, but she got me cookie shaped hearts instead! I was very happy ha.

Anyways for those of you that want to get daily bible verses sent to your phone text uncover to 31452 and you get one everyday around 10:30. They are free and totally awesome! So I'm going through memorizing James still and its going pretty well. I'm on chapter 2 verse 13.

So where is your mind right now? What are you thinking of? The vorpal blade? The snicker-snack? I have a soccer game tonight and I'm struggling with remembering Him throughout the game so pray for me in those regards. Taking the time to say hello. To say thank you. My mind is sort of fluttering right now. What can you do but follow it? I let my mind roam and I see stocks I see calculus I see solid modeling.  If  I  double  space  these  words  then  it  gets easier  for you  to read. I  think. What's going on with you? Do you need prayer? Do you have a beautiful moment you experienced today? If so I want to hear it. Email me at sportnak@gmail.com I spend so much time talking about myself I just want to spend the next 2-3 posts reporting what you guys have to say. About something wonderful you've seen, a problem you have encountered, or a great verse you would like to share. So comment or email me and if you email me I can keep it confidential or I can share your name just let me know. I just want to share you.
---- The Walking Man

Day 22: Valentines Day

So you know what's beautiful? I mean absolutely amazing? 15,000 people in the same room praising God with all they've got. Praising the Lord, the maker of the Universe. Winter Jame 2011 was so amazing, so wonderful, so beautiful that I felt so ridiculous for everything that had gone on before then. I had been a little angry over the directions and parking and such, but it was so trivial. Satan was attacking me, trying to keep me from worshipping. Fortunately, God overcame this and helped me see where I was going and allowed me to praise His name with all that I had. It was so amazing. I can't even think of any other words to describe it.

God showed me something beautiful. Today, however, is valentines day and I do not have a valentine, but I did have fun yesterday with little Matthew in special connections making valentines cards for everyone. He had so much fun and enjoyed giving them out haha. Anyways, I hope you all have a great day, don't get discouraged easily, and stand up strong for your God. And now in the words of Freddy the Pope, Hasta La Bomba.

---- The Walking Man

Day 19: Dealing with Anger

So. Yesterday Haylee posted on her blog how I helped her out so I think I'm gonna tell you guys my little remedy for anger. So here's what you do:
Step1: Think about your anger really really reallly harrd.
Step2: Slap yourself in the face.
Step3: Realize the trivial insignificance of your behavior.
Step4: Move on.

So through this we can see that your anger is stupid! Move on! Ha no I'm kidding, kinda. I get hung up on being angry with people all the time, but its wrong. ²⁶ “In your anger do not sin”^[a]: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, Ephesians 4:26 
We get so angry all the time sometimes is hard for us to realize that this anger distracts us from God. We need to give it up to Him. Cast away our stupid insignificant problems. Some of you may say,"My problems are NOT insignificant!" but I tell you it really is. Look at them again for me. But hey you know what my favorite songs are when I realize I'm really stressed out and angry at everyone? Never Let Go by David Crowder, God will always be with you, even when you turn your back on Him, and your anger just shows your lack of caring about your relationship with God. The more focused you get on your anger, the less you focus on God. Praise You In This Storm by Casting Crowns, I will praise you Lord no matter. And Satisfy by Tenth Avenue North, I don't want to focus on my anger. Have fun dealing with your anger this was your segment of Dr. Nakayama!
---- The Walking Man

Day 18: Is it springtime yet?

So it snowed last night. BYG was cancelled and I'm convinced satan and some of his evil little demons just didn't want us to have a prayer and praise night. Well I'm gonna have a prayer and praise day. Who wants to join me??? Plug in my ipod and listen to praise and worship songs all day. Nothing but 93.7 on the radio and rejoice constantly in our Lord. Who can fathom His greatness? If the devil wants to fight and try and keep me from worshipping? I say LAY ON DEMON! Ha (Macbeth quote).

But the snow is not all bad. I got to sleep for a full twelve hours last night, aside from the two times I woke up, 12 and 3, because I'm just not used to being able to sleep that long. But its all good. I'm refreshed and rejuvenated and I can see the wonderful white blanket of snow that has covered the filthy ground, the same way Jesus has covered our filthy sins. The snow is so wonderful, it is a colder version of the oh so amazing rain I posted about a few days ago. Anyways the verse for the day is the one I finished memorizing last night, 1 Thessalonians 5:14-24:



"Now we exhort you Brethren, warn the unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.

Do not render evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.

Rejoice always,

Pray without ceasing,

In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Do not quench the spirit.

Do not despise prophecies.

Test all things. Hold fast to what is good.

Abstain from every form of evil

Now let the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit, mind, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of Christ Jesus.

---- The Walking Man

Day 17: What are we coming to?

So today I don't have a picture for you because I wanted to share something with you. There is this girl. I don't know her well, but she is in 8th grade. She's had sex several times. I met her yesterday and just talking to her I could tell she was someone who wanted attention. The other 8th graders around her were not particularly uplifting, and at some points even demeaning. They made some comment on how she has sex and her response was, "well guyyys I use condomsss." Honestly, I was shocked and disgusted. But at the same time, I felt a twinge of sympathy. Something had to have happened to cause her to be like this, and I don't know why but the sadness that I felt was from a desire to reach out to her. She seemed unloved. It seemed like she knew she was missing something and she didn't know what to fill it with. She was a generally happy and outgoing person, but I couldn't shake the feeling that she wasn't that at all. I asked my sister about their attitude towards this girl and all she did was shrug her shoulders. What are we coming to, when 8th graders are having sex and being blatantly open about it and not caring who knows? This girl even asked me if people at the high school had heard about her. She was excited to hear that a few people had. This world is completely losing control of itself. But there is good news. I'm gonna try and get Jordan to invite her to church, but yall just pray for her. But the good news is the endpoint. Where is this world spiraling downwards to? Jesus. The second coming. The world thinks they are running as far and as fast as possible in the opposite direction when He is right there waiting to deal judgement. The world is coming to Jesus. I just hope this little girl has changed her heart by then.
---- The Walking Man

Day 16: Applications

You know what I absolutely dread? Applications. Applications for colleges, scholarships, clubs, etc. They just bug me to death. I can't stand entering in every bit of my education for the past 14 years. I think college should be FREE! Not really, because then teachers wouldn't get paid and I can't have that. But I don't like this. Sending in my resume to people and places is just annoying. What does your resume look like? Not your physical one, but your spiritual one. Does God see you as one standing out for him? Casting Crowns has the song "Lifesong" that I love to listen to.

Empty Hands held high

Such Small sacrifice

If not joined with my life

I sing in vain tonight

May the words I say

And the things I do 

Make my lifesong sing

Bring a smile to you

Chorus:

Let my lifesong sing to You

Let my lifesong sing to You

I want to sign your name

to the end of this day

Knowing that my heart was true

Let my lifesong sing to You

LORD, I give my life

A Living sacrifice

To reach a world in need

To be your hands and feet

So may the words I say

And the things I do

Make my lifesong sing

Bring a smile to You

Chorus

Hallelujah, Hallelujah,

Let my lifesong sing to You (x3)

Chorus (x2)

I want my lifesong to sing to Him. To sing praises to His name, to speak wonders of His glory. He is so unimaginably great that I cannot possibly hate sending my resume to Him. I do, however, cower at the idea of sending it to the Great God on high. Because I am a sinner. I have a blemished record. The great part is, I don't have to show it. God sees the resume of his Son. His wonderful glorious perfect Son. "For those He forknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, So that He would be the firstborn among many brothers." Romans 8:29. God has predetermined that we would be in the image of Christ. I like that resume ha.

---- The Walking Man

Day 15: The Wall

So Today I thought I would share with you something I've been working on and is still a work in progress. Its my wall. Actually its half wall half ceiling cause I live in the loft so its like the same thing, but either way this is it. I've pinned up something from all the things I've done for senior year. From World Cup, to Chick-fil-a, to New York, to Acceptance Letters. Not Quite everything I know, but I get as much as I can up there from the year that I can remember to take with me. The wall will be filled by the end of the year, but I just don't know quite yet what it will be filled with. It's exciting to look forward and wonder what the Lord has in store.

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11

The Lord looks out for our future. Everything He does He does for a purpose and it is to prosper us. To grow us closer to Him. We will always be growing closer to Him. Yes we fall from time to time and turn our backs on Him out of ignorance, but we come back and when He pulls us through the tribulation we come closer. Its great to see what God has in store for you, but worrying about it does nothing but cause stress and disappointment.

---- The Walking Man

Day 13

So sorry I missed yesterday, I had to work so I didn't have access to a computer cause during school I had like four papers to type all during yesterday. But it was raining yesterday and for some reason I like talking about rain when it does because all I hear is people complaining about it. I find it to be a omnipresent reminder of how dirty I get. I get so consumed and caught up in my sin I lost sight of what I really need. And God brings it all back to me with that rain. He reminds me. And brings me back to my humble position. "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind, let each hold the esteem of others better than himself" Philippians 2:3b. This verse is a constant reminder of how humble we should be, always ALWAYS valuing others above ourselves. It doesn't mean put ourselves down, it just means always build each other up. God has made you a wonderful creation, and He places wonderful reminders around us telling us how wonderful His creations are.

---- The Walking Man

Day 11

So today I found out I can insert my SD card directly into my computer instead of looking for the cable that would connect my camera to the computer. So I found all these pictures from the summer. We had so many great pictures showing the wonderful beauty of God that I just couldn't choose one. But I decided to add this one. New York was so great I really wanna go back. I miss it and God showed me so much when I was there that I just want to experience it all again. I can't wait for summer!!
---- The Walking Man

Day 10

So I gave up texting for a week so for the next week you won't get any pictures because I have to take them with my phone and then send them to my email. Since I can't text I can't send the pictures and I don't have my camera on me at the moment. But on the other side of this equation its a pretty interesting experience. First off I don't feel the need to check my phone every five minutes because even if someone did text me then it wouldn't matter cause I can't respond. Second I have to constrain myself when I do get a text message not to respond even though I really really want to. I have to hold my thumbs back and just close the text message, hoping I don't offend any texters. But I think this experience will be worthwhile, but it can definitely turn into a longer experience.

So I will paint a wonderful picture of God's beauty today with words. Just kinda talk about what I see. So my memory verse of the week is Philippians 2:1-5, which reads:

¹ Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, ² then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. ³ Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, ⁴ not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

 ⁵ In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

The verse speaks about having humility. Refraining from having pride in all situations. We must control our tongue and be open minded of others. "Rather, humility value others above yourselves," I don't think anyone can do that with everyone. Its so difficult to hold every person I see above myself regardless of who they are. So that is my challenge. Talk to you later!

---- The Walking Man

Day 9

So today I don't have a visual picture to present to you because I wanted to paint you a picture of words. All I can think about is summer. Summer time, summer nights, beer in mexico, chicken fried, where the boat leaves from, so much country music playing that you can't help but relax. I wake up and the sun is shining brightly through the window, you can step outside and feel the summer morning feel, nothing to worry about doing, but just to chill. You can feel the relaxation in the air
 and it feels so wonderful. So amazing. Drive down to the river meet up
 with my best friends and we go down to chill. We walk
 down set down our stuff and turn on the
country music. Summer Nights by Rascal Flatts. Flying through the
 air on the rope swing in slow motion. Crashing into the water and feeling the calm relaxing cool
just wash over you. Swim down a bit and just lay on
 a giant rock and feel the sun bake you dry. Just chill.
Feel amazing. Forget the cold, forget school, forget all you worries and just relax. All I can think about is that feeling when you are baking dry. When you are just relaxing. It feels so good I just want to be in summer time now so I can run outside and relax. RELAX. Summer. Summer. Summer. Summer.
 Summer. Summer. Summer. I'm so ready. I just want to chill so badly. I need warmth
and freedom.

²⁸ Do you not know? 
   Have you not heard? 
The LORD is the everlasting God, 
   the Creator of the ends of the earth. 
He will not grow tired or weary, 
   and his understanding no one can fathom. 
²⁹ He gives strength to the weary 
   and increases the power of the weak. 
³⁰ Even youths grow tired and weary, 
   and young men stumble and fall; 
³¹ but those who hope in the LORD 
   will renew their strength. 
They will soar on wings like eagles; 
   they will run and not grow weary, 
   they will walk and not be faint.


God is so amazing. Even though we grow weary. Even though I grow weary 
and want to relax in summertime, I must know that He will protect me. 
He will love me, and He will give me strength
. Do you know know? How can you possibly not know about Him? He is all around You. He gives you strength every single day. Take His love and share it with the world!
---- The Walking Man