Heart & Mind

In Jonathan Edwards “Religious Affections”, he writes that “wherever true religion is, there is a will that moves that person to spiritual exercises.” His thoughts echo scripture as it informs us to “be fervent in spirit, serving the Lord” (Romans 12:11).  As I am studying religion at ETBU, I think about the ways in which my spiritual passion for Christ is impacting me, which is in the way that I interact with others and live my life. My spiritual passion for Christ is what motivates me in the decisions that I make beginning with my first thought when I rise up. Regarding my studies, even though it might be school work, and I am getting a grade for it, I view it as an opportunity to drawing nearer to God, and for that reason I attempt to give forth my best effort. My spiritual life is not the best; there are things that are constantly requesting my attention and passion. I am hoping for growth and a spiritual passion for Christ that is tough-minded and tenderhearted.

-Kingsley

Be Still!

"In time we come to see that the really important action occurs in solitude."- Richard Foster

Joy & Strength

"God perceives the imperfections within us, and because of his love for us, urges us to grow up, his love is not content to leave us in our weakness.. no soul will ever grow deep in the spiritual life unless God works passively in that soul.." - John of the Cross

Helpful & Insightful Words

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28 

The Enemy's One Great Fear!

"No wild beast on earth is more fierce than the enemy as he pursues his evil intention with ever increasing malice."- Ignatius of Loyola

You are my desire!

"Therefore we may ask from our Lover to have all of him that we desire. For it is our nature to long for him, and it is his nature to long for us. In this life we can never stop loving him" - Julian of Norwich

Three things that I desire most from God is first, God himself. I state this mainly because all I truly need is God and I believe I will never reach the end of him. To desire God is to take part on an endless journey that only gets sweeter and more glorious. God is enough, and in him there is goodness, there is mercy, there is love, there is forgiveness, there is joy, there is strength. I agree with Julian as she writes in her Revelations of Divine Love that God’s “goodness is full and complete, and in it there is lacking nothing.” My second desire from God is holiness, not so that I would attain faultlessness but instead that I would be faithful in everything that I do. My third desire from God is a heart of rejoicing. I desire this because many times I am overwhelmed by this world and all of its troubles and problems that it brings and I forget the great joy that Christ offers.

-Kingsley

Oh how he loves us!

“Give praise to the Lord for he is good, not because he is good to me, but because he is good.”

Following Jesus

 Jesus commands in Matthew 5

10 commands in Matthew 5

Jesus sitting down on a mountainside teaching his disciples.

Making "little Christs"

C. S. Lewis  writes, ‘In the same way the Church exists for nothing else but to draw men into Christ, to make them little Christs.  If they are not doing that, all the cathedrals, clergy, missions, sermons, even the Bible itself, are simply a waste of time.’  

In Southlake, there is a church called Metro Bible Church. Every summer in the month of June, teenagers from around the area high schools join together for Antioch Summer Institute hosted by Metro Bible Church. During the month, the high schoolers dissect a book in the New Testament, learning, memorizing, and applying it to their lives. I had the opportunity to take part in this program for three years as I attended high school, and God used it to dramatically mold my spiritual life and others around me. The past summer I served as student teacher and witnessed the work of God in the students willingness to take time out of their summer to learn more about God. The students that finish the class are equipped to teach, share the gospel, disciple friends and know how to have a personal discipline in devotions by the direction of the Holy Spirit. God is using this program to make "little Christs" for his kingdom who will in turn make "little Christs" and so on. 

-Kingsley

I Surrender All

"Those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples" Luke 14:33