I pulled out a piece of paper from my Bible today that was from about a year ago. It was notes scribbled from Sunday School at Denver First Church entitled "7 secrets about attitude". Hmm, what perfect timing. I thought I'd share with y'all.

"As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he."


1. Your attitude is more important than anything else. i.e. past, fact, education. It is your character. Proverbs 23:7 "For he is the kind of man always thinking about the cost."


2. Attitudes always become ACTIONS or REACTIONS. Your attitude will always be louder than the words you speak. 


3. Your attitude is always your choice.


4, Your attitude determines the success or failure of every relationship. "You can never trust yourself with a bad attitude."


5. Jesus came to give us a positive attitude. 


6. Look for the good and you will find it. If you look for faults you will be dissatisfied. 


7. Discipline. Philipians 4:8 "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- is anything is excellent or praiseworthy,-think about such things. " Fix: take action. 


**Whatever you are feeling will come out in your words.**


Ephesians 3:20 "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us"


Isaiah 41:10 "So do not fear, I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."



In His love.

My dwelling.

Man, it has been a long time since I have posted, or even thought about posting in here. Seems like a better time than ever to let my creative juices flow and let the many thoughts and daily happenings translate into tangible words that can be shared with those who care.

My dwelling: University of Colorado Hospital. This has been my special little home for a week and three days. Friends, I tell you now don't be alarmed if this is news to you. I am here to feel my very best. Every now and then I need a little boost to feel spectacular and this is the time. It's actually a blessing that I GET to take vacations in the hospital because not many people get a chance to share such a strong sense of hope in a seemingly scary, and hopeless situation. I encounter about 10 people a day, hey that's 9 more reasons and opportunities than I need. 

As far as how I'm doing. . . great. And when I say that, I mean it. Although I am prisoner in my own room, I am getting by. This time around my motivation might be that this visit feels a bit different. See, usually with time my lungs should decrease in function. Scary? Maybe. Not really for me. In the past year since coming to Denver my lungs have increased. And this time, we believe and hope for another 5% increase. This may sound impossible, or silly, but I serve a God who shows off in the face of impossible. So my motivation through all this is that I will get to be a living witness of an ongoing miracle. 

My current roommate is a stationary bike. His name is Xu875. I hate him most of the time, and can't wait to get home and ride my own bike. Nonetheless, I am thankful that he's my exercise buddy, he deals with a lot. 

It's real easy to get lazy here. I have realized how much I have become sucked in to this life of depending on entertainment. I have been complaining because there are 7.4 cable channels and a VHS collection that  consists of movies made before I was born. I only half kid when I say the hospital needs to invest in things that actually matter, like updated DVD collections ;). 

God has really been challenging me in this time of silence, boredom, and stillness. I believe, or believed, that there aren't any reasons to be sad when living in the fullness, and joyful life that He offers us. Yes, because of our broken world, and human nature we are sad, depressed, and doubtful. I had a day this week where I was just upset. I was sad, I couldn't shake it. Maybe I was feeling bad for myself,  can't really say what it was. I couldn't even muster up energy to ask God for strength. I have learned from this day that God's love for me, for you, is so greater than I can even understand. It's a power that we will never grasp. He provided people in my life to intercede on my behalf, He provided people to encourage, uplift, and speak truth to me. He didn't give up on me because I doubted Him or needed even more reasons to just be content, satisfied, and tranquil in His presence. I didn't deserve any of the blessings I received but He knows how weak and sinful I am and loves me enough to not leave me there. I can't remain dry eyed even thinking about that. Wow. 

I am ever so thankful for my time here, my caring father, huge-hearted brother, my church family support, my friends who text, skype, call and visit, ravishing flowers, and my very present, close God. 

In His love. 

Journal Entry 6- Sabbath

Sabbath. Taking time for me. Having quiet time with God. I feel like our culture has taken the importance of these away from us. Leaving us feeling that any moment not spent doing something, being busy is a moment wasted. I feel guilty whenever I take time for myself to rest, to be alone with God.. why? I shouldn't. God did not intend us to be busy beings all the time. He made a commandment that specifically addresses this. Is it ok to murder? Of course, not. Keeping the Sabbath I believe is just as important as any of the other commandments.

The hardest thing that I have with finding time to rest is the guilt, or laziness I feel. I feel as if I'm not purposeful because society has expectations of humans.

When I do get the chance to take sabbath, I feel so filled and encouraged. I feel closer and more intimate with God. I feel as if I'm in right with His perfect plan.

In His love.

Journal Entry 5- Rule of Life.

A rule of life is, in theory, a great idea. It sets boundaries and expectations of a way to live in specific manner. Spiritually a rule of life would be one that directs one's life to glorify and honor God the most. I think a rule of life is valuable because it can narrow down all your goals into one that highlights and strengthens the big goal. I think a rule of life should be developed on it's own. I think that you should examine your life and identify what you do well, and what fills you the most in your efforts to glorify God and mold a rule out of that. I believe, if you create a rule out of guilt, or need to follow the law then you just make it a legalistic matter and forget the bigger picture, why you are doing it, or why you have a rule of life.

Journal Entry 4- Holy Communion

Communion. Eucharist. One of the first of the two sacraments in the Church. The bread and the wine taken as the body and blood of Christ, our Savior, is one of the most important and powerful things we will experience in our lives. It is because Jesus died we are saved from our sins and all victories are won in His  name, and the action of communion is accepting and reminding of that truth.

1. Participating in the Lord's Supper for me is a sober yet celebratory experience. I believe that it is a real reminder of the pain and suffering Christ went through and the ultimate sacrifice he had to give: his body and blood, but it's also a reminder of how much love he had for us, for me that He did make this sacrifice and that all my sins are wiped clean by His powerful blood, and any battles are already won in His name.

2. At the Lord's table I hope to receive forgiveness, LIFE, and the promises fulfilled, all in the presence of community.



In His love.

Journal Entry 3- Gratitude

I think gratitude is one of the most important, essential parts to our relationship with God. It is our reaction, our reciprocal to the workings and love from Him in our lives. It is such a great reminder that gratitude isn't just about being thankful but it is a factor that binds us together. Thanksgiving is so important during times of joy and celebration, but also suffering and when in the valleys. I think being able to give thanks in any situation allows us to conform more to the person and being that Jesus was.

When I look back at situations where I could have been grateful and wasn't it makes me more alert and aware of the present so that I can take every chance to give thanks. Looking back I missed out on great opportunities to show my love, and gratitude and ultimately grow closer to God.

When I am feeling low, and "towards the bottom of the food chain" I just reflect on the hardships and sufferings Jesus went through. Nothing I face today is equivalent or even near the suffering He dealt with and regardless of what I'm facing, I can always be thankful for that. I also relish in the beauty of the world around me. I am so thankful for the beautiful creation God has done for me!


In love.

Journal Entry 2- Celebration

Celebration.  The definition according to The New Oxford American Dictionary of celebration is the action of marking one's pleasure at an important event or occasionby engaging in enjoyable, typically social, activity. I think a better definition that the entry points out is in essence experiencing the joy of heaven. I think that by celebrating God we are receiving joy, joy that is found in eternal life. Celebrating God doesn't mean rejoicing in the good things he does, but for having a thankful heart for the great and wonderful things God does. It is entering in a spirit of worship, praise and thanksgiving no matter the circumstances. 


I love celebrating God at any chance I have. I especially love celebrating with others, as His word says where there is two or more gathered He is present and I think there is an overwhelming power and feeling when a group of people are worshipping and praising our precious Father together. I also have found celebrating God in times that aren't great, or in times of suffering are most rewarding. I think being able to stop and be reminded of His great love, power, and the works He's doing in my life when I don't necessarily feel that reinstates a feeling of joy and can make all the difference.