Freedom

I am finding immense freedom when I am dealing with an issue or struggling with sin, to just turn, and give it to God. No matter how big or small, and how much the issue means to me. Taking the issue and putting it in His hands, rather than struggling with it myself is absolute freedom. And as soon as I give it to God, the burden is lifted. It is awesome, knowing that it is in His hands and he can deal with things so much better than anyone else can.
Whether it is dealing with a co-worker, struggling with a sin myself, or needing motivation to do something, whatever it is, as soon as it is turned over to Him, the help arrives. And when you compare how awesome God's love is for you, with the issue or struggle you're having, the issue becomes so small and easy to surpass. Ya just need to get past yourself, and what you want or how things should be for you. Cause if you stop trusting in yourself, and start trusting in God, you can't screw up. Everything you do is for Him, and in His will. I'm seeing how God truly IS our strength for everything we do. As long as we rock for God, and only and fully for Him, then we are free from everything that tries to tear us down. Praise Him!

Even After Super Bowl Loss, Many Still Consider Pats 'The Team To Beat'

After the Pats went 18-0 last year, and then lost bitterly to a team like the Giants, you can imagine it still may sting to this day. But, thank goodness the new season is about to start. With what the NFL calls 'the easiest schedule' and with most of our deadly offensive players back this year, that Pats look like they have enough firepower to storm back to the super bowl...hopefully.
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Defensively, the Pats took a severe blow to the secondary, in losing Asante Samuel, and losing Tank Williams(a safety attained earlier this year) to injury. But Bill Belichick has stocked up on defensive players in hopes to add some depth to our shaky secondary.
As for our linebackers, Bruschi, Vrabel, and Thomas all return from last year. As well as up-and-coming Pierre Woods, and specialist Larry Izzo. Not to mention the huge boost in speed and youth with the addition of rookie linebacker Jerod Mayo. The man is a beast.
And as usual, or three linemen, Warren, Seymour, and Wilfork, will continue to barrage the opposing offenses this year. With added depth in backups, Jarvis Green, and Mike Wright, we should be fine in case of injury.

Offensively, the Pats look virtually the same as last year. With Moss, Welker, Gaffney, Faulk, Maroney, and of course Brady, the Pats seem to have that high scoring offense back. The only significant loss offensively was probably Donte Stallworth, who went to the Cleveland Browns. But in addition, Chad Jackson, who has been injured the past 2 years, looks to finally step up this year and contribute.
The running game hopefully will be more involved this year, as Maroney, Morris, and Faulk plan on increasing the ground attack. I'm hoping Maroney will show more improvement this year, and less injuries. And Morris should help especially in goal-line situations. Kevin Faulk will continue his roll of getting our offense out of tight spots and making plays.
The Quarterback situation is set with Brady as the starter. But after that, the backup quarterbacks will have to fight it out to stand behind Tom Brady. Matt Cassel is likely to be released, and rookie Kevin O'connel, and Matt Gutierez will battle for the backup spot.
The offensive line is exactly the same group from last year, with Matt light and Dan Koppen being the biggest of contributers. They need to play better than last year in the Super Bowl in order to regain some confidence, but that shouldn't be an issue.

All in all, it should be a great year. :)

Week 1-Chiefs-1 pm
Week2-@ Jets-4:15 pm
Week3-Dolphins-1 pm
Week4-Bye
Week5-@ 49ers-4:15 pm
Week6-@ Chargers-8:15 pm
Week7-Broncos-8:30 pm
Week8-Rams-1 pm
Week9-@ Colts-8:15 pm
Week 10-Bills-1 pm
Week 11-Jets-8:15 pm
Week 12-@ Dolphins-1 pm
Week 13-Steelers-4:15 pm
Week 14-@ Seahawks-8:30 pm
Week 15-@ Raiders-4:15 pm
Week 16-Cardinals-1 pm
Week 17-@ Bills-1 pm

Pizza, Trunks, and Feds

Well, last night was more interesting than expected.
Got a call around 11pm from my brother, asking if I was hungry and wanted pizza. Apparently he and my friend, James, had been out, driving around N.H. and were getting pizza on the way home. Naturally, I agreed for some, and I hung up da phone. After around 20 min. of waiting on my front steps, they finally showed up with the cheesy goodness. While eating some, I was told of a video that him and my brother had made on there journey and how amazing it is and that I must see it. But, James, being the crazy, obsessed dude that he is, declared that, "We must go and watch it online, and not just off of my laptop! For the effect of it being online." So, because we don't get wi-fi at our house, we went over to the catholic church up the road, where there usually is a good wi-fi signal. We got there, finished the pizza, and started to get his laptop out.
But then, it hit James...he can turn his car into a bed if he needs too! So, therefore, we had to do it! It actually was very interesting how all the seats bend and curve until you get the finished product.

So, anyway, after about another half hour of playing with his car, we finally thought about this awesome video that they had made. We got in the car, and James busted out his laptop. To our disappointment, the wi-fi did not work because his, 'better than pc' Mac could not pick up the signal. (Sorry James, it's true, Mac sucks. :p)
Right then, a cop car comes flying around the corner, pulls into the parking lot we are in, and points it's lights at us. Now, the way me and James were sitting, in his trunk with the trunk door shut, I can understand how suspicious it may have looked, us being in his trunk around 1 in the morning, handing each other pizza boxes and whipping the camera out blinding each other with the flash. Luckily, however, Sam, my brother, was outside the car because he had ventured down to the house to get drinks. So he got the fun responsibility of answering to the cop while me and James just kinda sat in his trunk smiling and waving.
He pretty much asked why we were there, and what the camera flashing was all about, and after Sam told him the cold hard truth, we wanted to watch the video online, had pizza, played with his car, had fun with a camera, and got stuck in his trunk. The amazing part was, the cop was totally cool with it! And he got in his car and drove off.
Needless to say, it left our good buddy James feeling uneasy about staying there and he put everything away. After that, I got to walk home and said goodnight to the rather toned down James at this point, but it was a fun venture. Even though we never actually got to see this amazing video. Finally watched it this morning, and it was kinda a waste of time, but at least I saw it. I think this pic might as well sum up the night pretty well though...

Reviewing the House Centipede

While hanging in 'my nook' (A cool little part of church structure that I chill in sometimes that has wi-fi.) with my brother and a couple friends, we found and awesome bug known as a house centipede.
It's a really weird looking thing. It is real slender and has 15 pairs of hair-like legs. Let me tell ya, they are super fast runners. They like damp/dark places, and as there name suggests, commonly dwell in houses. You don't see 'em too often, but the are there.
Unlike the common bronze-colored typical centipede, the house centipede doesn't have much of a painful bite. Although they do have venom, they rarely can even break human skin with their small jaws. But they are effective at what they can bite. As strange and weird as they look, they are great for controlling other unwanted insects. They even can take out spiders.
So, them being real hard to find, one will make an awesome addition to my collection. And thanks to my bro, I got one. :D

Reflecting on Soulfest-Part 2

One of the best things about Soulfest is the prayer tent. It is basically a place where you can go, alone or as a group, and ask for prayer for specific or general issues you are dealing with. One of the things that the prayer people do occasionally, is prophecy over you. And they are very humble about it, and honest. Seriously. A few of my friends have there doubts about the prophetic words that they tell, and it is understandable. But, I have really seen proof over the years, that God really has spoken through these people in this prayer tent. And many times, they have clarified that they are trusting in God in the things they prophecy about. They say that if nothing they say is true or of God, then they let it fall away, and pray for wisdom and guidance to continue. So, what I want to make clear, is these dudes are die-hard for Christ and they try to hear God if they can, while in prayer. And they are completely honest about it.
And this leads me to one of the biggest reasons this year was special at Soulfest.
My uncle, is an awesome dude. He is funny, awesome to be around, and strives to grow in Christ. He suffers from depression, however, and feels lonely a lot of the time, even though he has a lot of people that are there for him. It can be real rough for him sometimes. So, on the last day of Soulfest, he and me went into this prayer tent together. After they prayed with me, they asked my uncle what they could pray for, for him. And my uncle asked for prayer for his depression and loneliness. Once we went to prayer, the prayer dudes actually were having a hard time to figure my uncle out. They where trying to help him in prophecy and prayer and were coming up blank. The most they got was that there was a struggle in him, between the spiritual side of him, and the sinner in him. And that he had suffered a heavy loss in his past.
After we left, he was rather disappointed. He had kinda had hoped he would have gotten more help from the prayer dudes, and possibly more answers for his life. I encouraged him to examine himself and try to hack through his sinful self and just give it to God.
Later that day, Skillet was getting ready to play and my uncle went to go see them. He was off to the side in the crowd and was waiting for them to start. And a dude came up to him. He told my uncle that he was a real hardcore Third Day fan(They were playing in the opposite stage) and that he really felt compelled to come to see Skillet for some reason. And after a bit of chatting, they began to talk about there time at Soulfest and my uncle found out that this dude suffered from similar things like depression and loneliness. And I guess they were really able to help each other out and had a great time watching Skillet together. It was real enlightening for my uncle. And he left with a greater sense of awareness I think, and realization that God was indeed looking out for him. He seemed to be doing a whole lot better when we left Soulfest that night. And it was really encouraging to see him go from being wicked disappointed at the prayer tent, to being shocked at the amazing night he had, and how God had clearly used this dude that showed up at the Skillet concert to help him. I think none of it would of been possible if he had gotten the things he felt he needed at the prayer tent, but it was an important piece to the puzzle that he didn't hear what he thought he needed. God really does work in mysterious ways.Pretty sweet.

Reflecting on Soulfest-Part 1

Ahhh, Soulfest is over, and my body is still stiff and achy two days later. Gotta love it. :)
It was an awesome time this year. The question is, where do I begin?
Well, I got to see some awesome bands play, including: Kiros, Flyleaf, Stellar Kart, and Skillet.
Another big treat for me was meeting Reese Roper. He is the lead singer of former band Five Iron Frenzy. Definitely one of my favorite bands. I even got a picture with him!


As I mentioned before, the atmosphere there is amazing. You can really feel God's presence there. With so many fellow believers there, it really is incredible. Haha, it probably is the only place you can go and write "Free Hugs" across your chest without getting disturbing glances.
But, more than once I had random people come up to me and my friends and simply ask if we needed prayer. It was great! Praise God for a place to go, where that can be a regular thing to have and be a part of. It is inspiring, and I wonder how awesome it could be, if we brought that attitude from Soulfest, out into the world more often. How many people could be saved?
But, it isn't only the people at Soulfest that are truly awesome for God, the bands that play there, are die-hard for God as well. I've been to Soulfest and have been encouraged when bands have actually stopped there performance, and just simply have a time of prayer with the crowd. It's incredible. To see someone, or a group of people who we tend to regard as better or above us, come down and pray with you, and for the same reasons. It shows how much they need Christ just like us. Praise God.
There will be more to follow on my time at Soulfest as soon as I can post it. My laptop battery is just about out. :p

For my Soulfest slide-shows, visit http://www.youtube.com/NewEnglandPats