Obligations are broken, cirumstances keeping getting worse, tommorow can determine so much. But through these past couple weeks of a car accident studying for a final that might determine how much longer I am in college, and even a living situation being in turmoil DOES not keep me worrying. Well yes it does but no matter how many times I turn to God he follows through. No matter how many situations or circumstances might weigh me down....I KEEP GETTING THROUGH. It amazes me how God's love and power can get us through anything. I mean look in the bible Elijah was fed by ravens, when nailed to a cross and sent to hell God's son was risen from the dead. God's love and promice always follows through for those who are obident in his teachings.

I can no longer live a life worrying everyday how things might line up. It seems the darts and shots keep getting thrown at me. This semester especially but SO MANY God things have been lined up for me. Yet the world or enemy wants to illustrate the bad things. But I keep writing and telling myself "Eric if you did not have God you would be a warrior who can get through the things of this world." Either you would be a quiter worrier. I AM NOT ANY OF THOSE ANYMORE I AM A WARRIOR WITH THE POWER OF JESUS CHRIST THAT CAN CONQUER ANY MOUNTAIN. If I have to climb 5 mountains in one week then so be it. It is not how we start the race it is how we finish it. I pray that I can end up victorious in these next coming weeks.

Just driving from breakfast to class on the day before Thanksgiving, I can feel all of the stress uncertainity and tension that the holidays bring is gone. I know what I need to do because God has not only been there for me in the past but he will continue to be there. As long as I call onto him he will show me great and mighty things. He will get you through days even weeks of uncertainity. No longer will I walk this earth in worry. Because nor height or depth, nor any human or thing of this world can seperate you from the love of Jesus Christ.

In order to recieve the blessings of the all powerful and loving God, you have to obey and have a realtionship with his Son. It is not one judged by actions words, but mainly the status of your heart. The heart is the sole center piece of the human body. It runs everything even our thought process. Some of us often get discouraged when our actions can not align with our heart. Have u ever "man I want go to serve but....why bother?" God sees the iniative and effort that means your heart is being transformed. And when that happens through Jesus Christ "he wants to give you a high five or big hug." Through prayer time and surrounding yourself by the right things, that mental effort will turn into action. And the people of this world will wonder "of all people how in the heck is he serving with such a strong bold heart?" Only because of Jesus Christ.

Fight the Good Fight

To fight the good fight of faith requires a special type of person. It requires a handful of individuals who are willing to do anything to share the gospel to a lost generation. For me this semester has been full of ups and downs. It has not been your typical college semester for some of the stuff that I have experienced and went through. But honestly I am not holding these things against myself or God. Instead I glorify him because he got me through some of those "hiccups" in the context of some.

But my friend there is still work to be done. I wish honestly some who profess they believe in Jesus Christ would get out of their Christian social click Would get off their rear end, get their hands dirty, and help out. Not in a creepy way, not in a condemning way. But for Pete sake's if you see someone next to you struggling share them the gospel! Take them out to lunch coffee or even invite them to church and be like "hey man I know life is rough but I want you to know I am here for you no matter what and that I am praying for you." Therse a start. When non believers get saved they will not remember an awesome church sermon or pastor, they will remember a friend stranger or co worker taking time out of their schedule to share them the love and story of Jesus Christ. Because once they know he provides a life of purpose comfort and direction, the things of this world will lose their grip. Sounds easier than it is especially when you are working 25 hours, going to church, internship, family, fraternity, etc. Oh yeah and some might reject you. But never lose heart friend.

Through life and the business about graduating, God has pulled me away from some things that used to help me build up my walk with him. This is including spending a heck of a lot less time with spiritual friends who were men. Grant it right now if I ever needed prayer I could call from 3-5 of my brothers or spiritual friends and they would drop everything and be there for me. However some guys who were there with me everyday we have other occupations. But the enenmy has gotten into my head to think "those friendships are gone because you'll do not hang out." Well the fact is when you get a full time job, get married, and start having other life occupations as a young adult, they will eventually fade away. The bond of brotherhood and friendship will be there as God's blessing. DO NOT EVER FORGET THAT FRIEND.

I guess maybe right now with only 6 to 7 weeks left in the semester, there is still much to be done. I honestly feel that God is working in many of my brothers heart however someone or somebody needs to show them how to change their heart and walk in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. Somebody needs to show them what the power of Jesus Christ can do. Somebody needs to offer hope and prosperity of the gospel. Somebody needs to be that beaken of light in the dark. Somebody needs to show them even when the outside world of this campus is caving in....they NEVER LOSE HEART.

What does not need to be shown is someone who brings his own brother down. Someone who is not bold. Someone who has the potential to do great things all in the name of God but does not follow through. 6 months later 60 years later this mission field will not be here. This mission field I think is unique because my words and lasting impressions can set the fire of Jesus Christ in someones heart and last them an entire lifetime. Someone who has never seen God can see God through me, AND THATS IT. That is all they might need. It is time to stop get rid of the excuses, its time to get rid of the arrogantness. Jesus I pray for repentance. I pray that as the broken man I thank you for allowing me to serve you. I thank you for giving me the purpose and believing, even when I have given up on myself.

TFM

A website that is a blog and twitter for fraternity men is really consuming a lot of my brothers life. It is ok to be arrogant, it is ok to haze, it is ok to get drunk, it is ok to be a rich elitist. Being "fratty" by the way you act and dress is the norm in my fraternity. Being so consumed and surrounded by this, it has rubbed on me. I am honestly guilty of all of these things above. For this season unlike Costa Rica FUSE or Celebration Church this is my mission field. Out of all of them it has been the hardest even when I have a great relationship with many of my brothers. I pray to Jesus Christ that I can break this stereotype. I am not a fratdaddy I am not a elitist rather I am a unstoppable worshipper and follower of Jesus Christ. We are often judged by our actions words facebook statuses and by the way we dress. Do not be something or somebody that God has not called you to be.

I pray to God almighty that I can get back to what has been such a strong point of progression in my life. Prayer fasting and serving like the character of Jesus Christ. My friend if a man can do that the traits words and actions that illustrates someone will replicate someone who above all else walks in the light of God. When I preach to by brother "lets be humble and kind in all of our relationships both inside and outside this fraternity." Then next minute I am at Applebees talking crap another fraternity guy......wow that's showing character.

Honestly last week was the hardest week for me I can remember in years. It was a battle to make it day by day hour by hour but I got through it I conquered another mountain. It was because Jesus Christ is so in me I can conquer any mountain. One of my brothers who I went to church was involved in a DUI homicide. My dog died and I missed work because my truck stalled on me. Everything that could go wrong went wrong. But I never gave up because I had amazing people surrounded by me to pick me up. God has blessed me with so many spiritual folks on fire for Jesus to help guide me and lift me through tough times. IO Alan Marsh Josh Turner Kyle Johnson Tyler Young John Jordan my girlfriend the list goes on.

The situation with my brother is rough. I have never dealt with any sort of situation like this before. But I know that god will prevail through my friend's life. I know that if my friend and brother continues to pray and stay strong God will come into his heart. He is looking at a lengthy trial and time in jail, which I could not go through myself.

I started asking myself that could of been me. All of those time I drove home drunk I could of been in that boat. I could of killed somebody and and been in jail for 10-15 years of my life. Last week I was in tears everyday. Last week I could barely walk to class and function as a human. But the best way to overcome this from a friend's perspective is to move on. Let God take care of the situation and pray for healing and strength in my friend. I WILL NEVER LOSE HEART I WILL NEVER EVER GIVE UP ON HIM I WILL BE AT THE TRIAL I WILL KEEP IN CONTACT WITH HIM I WILL PRAY FOR HIM AND FOR HIS FAMILY EVEN IF HE IS FAR AWAY I WILL VISIT HIM. I WILL NEVER EVER GIVE UP ON MY FRIEND BECAUSE JESUS CHRIST NEVER GAVE UP ON ME.

This is not about me, this is about Jesus Christ and the hope grace and refuge we can find in them. I just pray I can find ways and words to say to help grieve with my friend and fellow brothers. Thank you Josh Turner for giving me the words to say. Thank you for believing. Thank you for pouring your heart out to this college student. Thank you for talking to me after SUB30 and making things line up.