Perfectly Jealous

Recently in youth group, the fact that God, is a jealous God, came up. It really struck me, because I 'knew' He was a jealous God, after all, I read it a thousand thousand times. But, I really got hit with it the other day. A common question, is that how can God be a jealous God, if He commands us to avoid jealousy, and it is cast into a negative light. I was confused about this, personally, for a while, until the other night.
If someone were to take away something from another dude, when it was rightfully the dude's to begin with, would it be right for the person who was robbed of to be jealous and concerned? Even angry at the person that stole from him? Of course it would, and that anger would be justified and granted.
However, it IS wrong for a person to covet, and become jealous of something that is rightfully another's. That is were the sin lies, and what God commands against. Jealousy over other people's possessions is evil, and sinful.
Now when you look back at how God is a jealous God, it all becomes slightly clearer. God is jealous for us, when we fall in to sin. He desires that wicked awesome relationship with us, and that is slashed when we sin. That is when God becomes jealous. But the best thing is, if ya look further into it, it shows just how much God loves us. He wants a relationship with us so badly, he wants to know us and help us. Praise God for His jealousy! Makes me wonder if that's why He is so merciful to forgive us as much as He does. Just think how pitiful we as sinful creatures are, and the ruler and creator of this entire gianormous universe and all the little atoms that make it up, forgives beings like us, for ruining it all time and time again. And He perfectly restores us, making us white as snow. How awesome is He? Man, it just blows my mind.

Week 14-Squeezing Out Of Seattle

The Patriots played a game that should have been an easy swipe-through victory. Instead, they had to play a hard-fought, pad-breaking battle to barely pull out a victory, 24-21.
The Seattle Seahawks, who are out of the playoff race, has nothing really to play for, except to ruin other teams' playoff hopes. They gave the Pats are run, leading the game until the last two minutes. The Patriots struggled defensively, with older linebackers filling in, including newly signed Junior Seau, and Rosevelt Colvin. Both played without a full week of practice, which just shows how low the Pats are for depth in the linebacker field. The Pats also had to start a rookie at cornerback.
Quarterback, Matt Cassel continued to show more improvement, completing twelve passes to Wes Welker.
As far as the playoff outlook goes, the Patriots chances got a hair better. With the divisional leading Jets taking a second straight loss, the Patriots and Jets are tied at 8-5. But, however, the Dolphins have won four straight away games and have also tied with the Pats and Jets. What has resulted is a three way tie for the division, with the Bills barely alive at 6-7. Statistically, the Dolphins can take the division no matter what, if they win all their remaining games. Hopefully that does not happen and the Patriots sweep through instead. The Patriots look to have the easiest remaining schedule, but have had problems winning more than two games in a row this season.
Wildcard hopes are slim with Indianapolis and Baltimore winning, but it is still possible. Right now, the Patriots just need to focus on winning games, and see how they squeeze out in the end.

Week 13-Steel Defense

The Patriots got utterly wiped out last Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Patriots started out strong, in the first quarter, but then floundered miserably the rest of the game. It was rainy, it was wet, and slippery, and just plain bad weather. Not to use that as an excuse, as the Steelers had to play in the exact same thing, but I do think our chances may have been slightly better in good weather. But hey, we can say that in any case and it doesn't matter. What matters is it did rain, and we lost real bad. The Patriots headed into the half tied at ten. What was bad, was that the Pats missed three chances in the endzone and a field goal right before the end of the half. Once they returned at the half, the Patriots never score again. They committed five total turnovers and allowed the Steelers to rack up twenty-three unanswered points.
Though the loss was painful, the Patriots lucked out with the New York Jets losing to the Broncos at the same time. This keeps the Patriots only one game behind with four games left in the season. The Patriots need to get their act together, because their playoff chances are getting dimmer, and they can't allow another loss. They play three losing teams out of their last four, so they should easily be able to fly through and take four wins...hopefully. We still have a chance of going 11-5 as a final record, and playoffs or not, that isn't bad without Tom Brady as our quarterback. Go Pats!

Exist, I Do

Ah, the warmth is gone and the snow has fallen. Because of this, my internet usage abilities have faded fast. I used to be able to venture outside my house for a bit of wifi for me laptop, but those days have long gone since snow decided to invade, so many apologies for the lack of posting lately. I still exist and am planning on at least updating weeklyish.
Currently I am finishing up my first semester of college, cranking out research papers, giant bio exams, and pointless power-points. Fun stuff. Hopefully gonna get a car someday soon here. Ummm..... oh, I'm 19 now, woot woot! :)
Just got off an awesome Thanksgiving, where I managed to eat quite a few slices of pie, at least two of each. Gotta have lotsa pie. We only had three people over for thanksgiving this here which is unusual, but it was nice to have a smaller crow. More food for me anyway. :D
God is doing wonderful things in my life right now. He's helping me get through my school, take everything day to day, and blessing me with awesome friends and family. This month has been a month of true thanksgiving. Praise God for His blessings and mercy! His love is so incredible. I've been really digesting the fact of how much he cares about everything about us. Each tiny facet of our lives is known to Him, even the cruddy stuff, and He STILL loves us all the same. That is just so awesome. \m/
Oh and I've been able to get some nice new pics with my camera, mostly of friends and what-not. Enjoy.

Sam and Jonathan Sinclair, having a moment

Thomas Sinclair and Sam, again

Joel Being Joel

Kirstie, Sam, and me dad
Beth, in 'Hide' mode
Me and m'lady
Cool picture of the Joel
Da sky
Cool tree I found down the road from my house

Oh Spirit Send A Revival To This Nation

As hard as it is to comprehend Obama as the new president of the United States. With as little inexperience as he has, being pro-choice, and pushing to pull out of Iraq, one wonders where our once great country is headed.
But in all the suckiness I am filled with currently, I must realize that God IS in control. Wherever this nation is headed, and whatever God has planned for the future, it is the right thing. He runs the show behind the curtains, and He works His perfect plan at all times. We don't truly know what is going to happen, or how it will happen, and probably why it happens. But, nothing exceeds his reign. Nothing at all. Praise God for the people in this country that still believe in Him, and follow Him.
I am reminded of a worship song that has to be one of my favorites. It is called Breathe on Us Again. It goes as follows:

Breathe On Us Again

O Lord hear, O Lord forgive us.
We have lost the awe of You.
Have mercy, have mercy.

O Lord, cleanse
Our hearts which are divided.
Stir the faith that we once knew
We're thirsty, we're thirsty.

O Lord restore
The church that bears Your name.
O Spirit send
A revival to this nation.

Breathe on us again,
Breathe on us again.

Our country needs a revival so painfully bad. We have far from slipped over the edge, and I wonder how much God will allow the country to last as it is. Maybe this election is a turning point in some shape or form? For good or bad? Who knows, but God's people need to rise, and be the true leaders of the earth. Not those of the world. We need a revival, and we need it now.