My sister before the big night!

Jennifer and my mom!!

I will try to get some more pictures of the game itself up by Sunday night! You guys enjoy your Fall Break! I love yall!
Michael

Hey guys! Well, as of tomorrow we have four days off! YAY! Finally, some relaxation! Tomorrow my beautiful sister will be on homecoming court, so it's going to be awesome to see her walk out, and it's going to be good to see the Siegel Stars again! As everybody says, "Michael, why couldn't you look as good as she does?" Isn't that sad? Oh well, I guess it's true! LOL! Anyways...I wanted to actually lift up my sister for prayer. Jennifer had some blood tests come back abnormal, and I don't know the details yet, but she definitely needs prayer. She was losing weight for awhile, and we just think that something is wrong. Monday she is going to have a test that is going to make her very sick because she has to consume this chemical called barium. It makes you sick to your stomach. Also, my parents are obviously worried, and trying to keep busy so that they can avoid being worried. I appreciate your prayers for my sister and my parents! I will try to post some pictures of Jennifer's homecoming on here Monday! I love you guys!
Michael
Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know! -Jeremiah 33:3
Isn't this verse exciting? God has a plan for US!!!! Im so excited!

I said, "You are my servant, I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for 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.... -Isaiah 41:10

I was sitting in my room last night, and I had kind of a downer day, and my devotional hit this of all verses. I love the fact that even though God has led me to an area of my life in which I'm BROKEN, I can hear the comforting and loving words of God. It seems to me when I'm broken, I hear Him more clearly than when I'm busy or doing stuff. Also, this was cool but I was walking across campus, and God said, "look up." So I did what he told me to do, and a man was walking by me. His shirt said Trust Me....Wow...THEN IF THAT'S NOT ENOUGH CHECK THIS OUT!

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who put their trust in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint. -Isaiah 40:28-31

I'm one of those guys that I'm so ignorant that God has to really break me for me to understand what he wants for me. What is it going to take for you? TRUST HIM, AND CALL OUT TO HIM! Ask him to do whatever it takes so that you can truly feel the love he has for you. Then, you will find peace in his plan for your life....

Have you guys heard this song? I pray that these words would comfort you because they have for me! I heard this song when I was alone in my car and I felt like I had no one to talk to. Soak up the words...Our God is an awesome God....

Cry Out To Jesus

Words by Mac Powell / Music by Third Day

To everyone who's lost someone they love
Long before it was their time
You feel like the days you had were not enough
when you said goodbye

And to all of the people with burdens and pains
Keeping you back from your life
You believe that there's nothing and there is no one
Who can make it right

There is hope for the helpless
Rest for the weary
Love for the broken heart
There is grace and forgiveness
Mercy and healing
He'll meet you wherever you are
Cry out to Jesus, Cry out to Jesus

For the marriage that's struggling just to hang on
They lost all of their faith in love
They've done all they can to make it right again
Still it's not enough

For the ones who can't break the addictions and chains
You try to give up but you come back again
Just remember that you're not alone in your shame
And your suffering

When your lonely
And it feels like the whole world is falling on you
You just reach out, you just cry out to Jesus
Cry to Jesus

To the widow who struggles with being alone
Wiping the tears from her eyes
For the children around the world without a home
Say a prayer tonight

That was it...she was gone. Amber walked through that security gate, and she was truly in the hands of Christ. Even though I was crying like a girl, I was happy that finally we would have an opportunity to be alone with Christ. It was then that I turned around and stared at the exit door of the airport. There waiting for me outside was Jesus Christ with open arms. He was smiling even though I was crying. He said, "I've been longing for this moment for so long. It's me and you. I'm going to cleanse your wound, and I'm going to give you the plans I have for you. It may hurt at first, but in the end I will bless you beyond imagination." Now, I cried the rest of the day! LOL! But the pain I felt was a different pain. It was the pain of peace. I think so many people are afraid to enter that narrow gate with Christ because of the fear of discovering the wound that they have again. I know my wound has effected my life drastically. When I say wound I mean anything from your past that has blocked off the intentions God has for you. I can tell you though that the pain I felt yesterday was so much different. I'm starting to see Christ in places I never saw Him before. I'm lonely, but God intended for me to be right now. Sure he's put people in my life, but for once it's my Daddy who I'm leaning on. What is your wound? Are you afraid of the pain? Would you be willing to look at that wound again so that God could cleanse it? God has wonderful plans for those who recognize that Christ is worthy of every aspect of their lives even when they're lonely. Is Christ calling out to you?
Those whose hope is in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not be faint! -Isaiah 40:31
....the call of life is intimacy with our Father. The question is will we do whatever it takes to become who he promises to form us into? Will we realize what really matters? Break me Father until there's nothing but you in me. That's all I want....
-Michael

Can you feel it? The mornings are getting crisper. The leaves on campus are starting to turn a beautiful orange. Football games, Halloween, Thanksgiving...God is blessing us with a new season! Fall is here!!

History
by Matthew West
album: History (2005)
It's been a bad day
You've been looking back
And all you see is everything you wish you could take back
All your mistakes
A world of regrets
All of those moments you would rather forget
I know it's hard to believe
Let me refresh your memory

Yesterday is history
And history is miles away
So, leave it all behind you
But let it always remind you of the day
The day that love made history

You know you can't stay right where you fell
The hardest part is forgiving yourself
But let's take a walk into today
And don't let your past get in the way

Would you believe that you are history in the making, in the making?
Every choice that you are making
Every step that you are taking
Every chain that you are breaking
History is in the making
Every word that you are saying
Every prayer that you are praying
Every chain that you are breaking
History is in the making
History is in the making
History is in the making

Read the lyrics. I love the fact that God has already forgotten the things we've done. He's crying out to us the same cry he's always been crying out I died for that! Let it go, and accept the plans I have for you. We are the only obstacle in the way of what God desperately wants to show us. God wants to create history with us. Isn't he worthy of that? Can we get out of the way so that God can restore us? He's waiting right by our side, only smiling with anxiousness. He knows your life and it's potential. Let's make the history God wants us to have. Let's hold the hand of Christ forever. May we forever be embedded in the heart of God. He created us for this moment, let's make it count!

Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is. -Romans 12:2

Alright what's up guys? I haven't given a direct update in a while. How is everybody? It's so weird being in college, and knowing that a lot of your friends have moved on. It is nice to get out of class at 11:00 everyday! LOL! HAHA! By the way, I'm sorry for the people who have had my mom for teaching. I continue to hear the complaints on my mom. She does have a loving side to her which I get to live with! LOL! Guys, lately, things have never been more clear in my life. INTIMACY!! I know I talk a lot about it, but it helps me to share with people my age about my experiences in my walk. My whole life, God has been longing to tell me things about myself. He's been crying out to me with the pieces of my heart that I have selfishly thrown to the world in so many different situations. Yes, I did say that Jesus has the broken pieces of my heart. God has showed me that over time, I've given my heart to so many things, and I haven't stopped to take those things back. I've never been alone and intimate. I've never actually stopped long enough to receive the things I need to have back for an amazing future with my wife and in ministry. I think it's the same for all of you guys too. Aware or unaware, we give our heart to other things, but God never gives up on completely restoring our hearts. I know I will never get to that point here on Earth, but that doesn't mean I can't pursue that completion because it's so much better than temporary stuff. I long for the moment when I will be in heaven, and I can look at God's smile. I look forward to the moment when he opens his arms to hug me, and in that moment I become the complete man He wanted me to be. Until then, I'll keep pursuing that gentle whisper. Anticipating the moment when nothing else will matter but the Creator of Beauty and Adventure!! I know that he will never stop loving us, and I know he only wants the best for everybody! Our God is so amazing!

Have you guys listened to this song? Sometimes we just have to stop, and listen to what God has to say to understand his wonderful intentions for our lives. He loves us, and He is always there. Check out an awesome description of how God cries out to his children!!

You Know Where To Find Me by Matthew West

I saw your sky fall down today
Suddenly turn from blue to gray
'Til one by one the raindrops
Turned to tears upon your face
Wish there was something I could
Wish I could wease the pain from you
But I've never felt so helpless
It's like you're drowning right in front of me
And I'm reaching out but you can't see
There's something holding on to you so tight
So I guess this is all I'll say to you tonight

If you ever need me
You know where to find me
I will be waiting
Where I've always been
If you ever need me
You know where to find me
I have never left you
I'm where I've always been
Right by your side
Right by your side

If the whole wide world is on your back
If the strength you need is the strength you lack
If you're in a crowd but all alone
If you can't stay here but you can't go home
If you can't answer all the why's
'Cause you're too tired to reach that high
I want you to remember

If you ever need me
You know where to find me
I will be waiting
Where I've always been
If you ever need me
You know where to find me
I have never left you
I'm where I've always been
Right by your side
Right by your side

If the whole wide world is on your back
If the strength you need is the strength you lack
If you're in a crowd but all alone
If you can't stay here but you can't go home
If you can't answer all the why's
'Cause you're too tired to reach that high
I want you to
I need you to remember

If you ever need me
You know where to find me
I will be waiting
Where I've always been
If you ever need me
You know where to find me
I have never left you
I'm where I've always been
Right by your side
Right by your side

GOD YOU ARE WORTHY OF OUR LIVES!!

Yesterday was my first day of college. I already have some pretty lengthy work for some of them, but I guess I need to stop being a baby about it! LOL! It's kind of crazy to think that I am now in a new chapter of my life, but I know that it only gets better from here. God truly does have an amazing plan for me, and to be a part of that is exciting! Okay, so the good thing about college is you make your own schedule. I'm done with school everyday by 11:15! Pretty awesome! Today, I have class until 11:05, and then I'm going to work out in this hurricane! LOL! Alpha Omega is getting underway which is pretty awesome! I look forward to the beginning of that as well! A lot of friends have already split, and gone all over the place. I still have some of my close friends here in Murfreesboro which is a plus. Amber leaves for YWAM in 4 weeks which is crazy, but you guys keep her in your prayers as she travels. God is going to blow her away, and I can't help but look forward to the time she has with just God! Pretty awesome! Also pray for all of the hurricane victims, and that God will show up and become obvious in their lives. Everything does happen for a reason, and sometimes we focus too much on the negative. Well guys...I gotta go to class so I hope that all of you youth have an awesome day off, and you guys take it easy today! I love all of you very much!

Wow, God did so many amazing things for me this summer. I'm going to try to recap it all....
Graduation and the after party with my grandfather! OMG!!! LOL!
Six Flags with some high school buddies!!!
Mexico Mission Trip which was absolutely life changing!
MTSU Customs which was oh so boring! LOL!
The Matthew West and Sanctus Real concert with Amber and my sister!
No dating for a year ended!
Hawaii for a month...favorite trip of the summer by far!! LOL!
Chick Fil A and staying in the parking lot after work until 1 a.m.
Belle Aire youth group! OH SO FUN!
Mercy Me concert....rocked my socks off
Leadership Camp for MTSU
Hanging out with so many friends for the last time, and of course hanging with my best friend Amber!

It was a good summer, and now God has extended an invitation that I have finally become receptive too. For my entire life, God has been crying out to me. Michael, I want to be intimate with you....What an amazing cry. In this intimacy, God is molding me into the man he intended me to be, and that blows me away. I can't wait to see where he takes me, and where he takes all of you guys as well! So that's it...In 3 days, MTSU campus will be my new home. An old chapter has finally come to an end, and a new one has begun. Alpha Omega has become my new home, and new friendships have begun. God's going to do amazing things this year! It's time for school!! AHHHH! LOL!

I had to update because Michael Gibelu's grandfather has gotten in a motorcycle accident. Michael is such an awesome guy, and he's been an encouragement to so many people in the youth group. I believe that God wants him to know that even in his time of trial, God is right by his side. He wants to communicate that through his friends at youth, and he's already doing that. From what I heard, his grandfather is doing okay, but if you guys will lift his family up in prayer that would be great. It's awesome to know that so many people care enough about someone to encourage and be there for that person when it's really hard! Michael, we love you buddy!

Consider it pure joy my brothers whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
James 1:2

Praise God for the valley days! He only desires to see us become the men and women he wants us to be!

And we know that in all things, God works for the GOOD of those who love Him, who are called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28

I was sitting in my car one night worrying about where I was headed. Have you ever done that? Have you ever asked God for reaffirmation that he's in control of your life. I know when I'm riding with a friend, I often want to take control because I'm so insecure of his maniac driving. Guys are crazy drivers, girls you can account for that. But when are we going to stop listening to the world who tells us a walk with God is disaster? I spent half of my life ignoring God because I wanted to fit in at school and wherever I went. I tried to meet the standards of so many different people I was around, and it just brought me brokenness. When I finally discovered that I had always been acceptable in the eyes of my Creator, my life changed. Part of a surrendered life with Christ is allowing God to gradually take control of everything inside of you. Satan tells us that by doing this, we are becoming abnormal, and we are just following a road that will become a dead end. But what he doesn't want you to know is that you are on the right road. By being hand in hand with Christ, a passion is ignited in your heart that only makes you want to follow Him that much more. It feels so good, and what's amazing is that by allowing God to take control of our lives we become involved in an eternal plan far better than our temporary plans. I mean think about this...You probably desire things that last how long...2 months, 2 years, 30 years. God is crying out to us. He wants you to be with Him. He wants you to enjoy a plan that never ends. We have an amazing Creator, who created you so that you could enjoy the love he has to offer you. Allow God to share his plan with you bit by bit. Walk hand in hand with the man that will never leave your side. He only desires to see you happy, even if that means changing some uncomfortable areas of your life. Remember, that just because your plans may not be his, doesn't mean that he's not dying to give you far much better than what you want right then. Know that he loves you, and just wants to see that smile on your face. He longs for the moment when he can finally embrace you face to face...How exciting!!!

Wow....this is the first time I have updated within one day of another update! LOL! I really wanted to get on here, and just thank God for the call of intimacy he has made in my life especially with starting at Belle Aire. Guys, I grew up in another church for 12 years, but I sensed that God was calling me to Belle Aire. I was a little worried that I hadn't made the right decision, but God really has met me. God has worked in so many wonderful youth, college students, and adults to make me feel welcome there. Dean's message this morning really affirmed that leap of faith for me because for so long I felt like my parents would never respect the decision I made to leave. I told them in January that I was sensing a call to leave everything I had known to join Belle Aire. Like any loving parents would do, they tried everything to keep me where I was, but as time went on I felt like God was still tugging on my heart. When my parents finally did let God take me away, they realized like I did that God only had good intentions for me. What God showed me this morning was that when we enter that narrow gate as his disciple without any other influence, we become the person he intended for us to be. I feel like each day God is continuing to mold me into the man that he intended for me to be, and that excites me! I just want to again thank my new family at Belle Aire for just being by my side to encourage me. I realize there will be weeks when I miss being where I was, but the feeling I have by living in God's heart and his calling for my life, is a feeling that I never want to release. I'm right where I need to be. Thank you Daddy....

Matthew 7:13-14: Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a FEW find it.

Surrender All by Crosse Clay
(Take a minute and read)
I have wrestled in the darkness of this lonely pilgrim land
Raising strong and mighty fortresses that I alone command
But these castles I've constructed by the strength of my own hand
Are just temporary kingdoms on foundations made of sand
In the middle of the battle I beleive I've finally found
I'll never know the thrill of victory 'til I'm willing to lay down
All my weapons of defense and earthly strategies of war
So I'm laying down my arms and running helplessly to Yours
Chorus:
I surrender all my silent hopes and dreams
Though the price to follow costs me everything
I surrender all my human soul desires
If sacrifice requires
That all my kingdoms fall
I surrender all
If the source of my ambition is the treasure I obtain
If I measure my successes on a scale of earthly gain
If the focus of my vision is the status I attain
My accomplishments are worthless and my efforts are in vain
So I lay aside these trophies to pursue a higher crown
And should You choose somehow to use the life I willingly lay
down
I surrender all the triumph for it's only by Your grace
I relinquish all the glory, I surrender all the praise
Bridge:
Everything I am, all I've done, and all I've known
Now belongs to You, the life I live is not my own
Just as Abraham laid Isaac on the sacraficial fire
If all I have is all that You desire
I surrender all

These lyrics pretty much wrap up the point of surrendering ourselves to God. The line between becoming Christ's disciple or the world's lays at your feet everyday. God asks you to give up your plans so that he can create in us a heart that comes straight from Him. In my experiences, I've noticed that I have set up this wall of refusal in different chambers of my heart. Do you do that? What's crazy is that I set them up because I'm afraid of what it might be like after God changes them. But WHEN HAS HE EVER LED ME ASTRAY?? God only has amazing intentions for my life and for yours. We shouldn't allow our intentions to get in the way of what God has for us. Do you desire for an unquenchable passionate fire in your heart? We just need to go to the foot of the cross, and surrender the chambers of our heart. The ending result will be eternal, something our desires could never fulfill....

When I wander through the desert
And I'm longing for my home
All my dreams have gone astray
When I'm stranded in the valley
And I'm tired and all alone
It seems like I've lost my way

I go running to Your mountain
Where your mercy sets me free

(chorus)
You are my strong tower
Shelter over me
Beautiful and mighty
Everlasting King
You are my strong tower
Fortress when I'm weak
Your name is true and holy
And Your face is all I seek

In the middle of my darkness
In the midst of all my fear
You're my refuge and my hope
When the storm of life is raging
And the thunder's all I hear
You speak softly to my soul

There are so many times when I forget that God has an unbelievable plan for me! It's so easy to forget that God has this incredible life planned for us, and we want to take over because we lack in trusting God, or we don't like the direction he is taking us. In my life lately, God has been really breaking me, and taking me in a direction I'm scared of. He's bringing a storm into my life, and I'm so afraid of being broken. But what I realize even though this brokenness is headed for my heart is that I become more intimate with God and I am strengthened because of the storm. We all need to trust God with our lives because we should all remember that he orchestrates all things for our good, not our harm. Even though I'm going through a time where I don't understand things, I know the overall plan will be so incredible. Even though I remain in the dark about so much, God simply wants me to stop and listen to his still voice. I know that if I finally stop and listen to his voice he will invite me to a call of intimacy. God desperately longs for a deeper relationship with us, and if we just give Him the time of day, he will blow our minds with his loving and eternal characteristics. Remember that just because the world tells you God's intentions for your life aren't good, doesn't mean that it's true at all. God wants to be our refuge and our strength. He wants to provide a road that very few will follow, but I pray that all of us will discover that narrow road. Passionately travel it, because in the end the only road existing will be the road you and God are standing on. How exciting to know that our Father loves us that much!

Before I made you in your mother's womb, I chose you. Before you were born, I set you apart for a special work.
Jeremiah 1:9

When you think about heaven and the amazing things in store for you, doesn't that excite you? I know I often find myself thinking about Jesus smiling calling the names of his sons and daughters who accepted the gift of love that he had to offer, and beyond the gates that Jesus stands at lies the eternal praise and fellowship of the Almighty Father! Now I know that everyone has an opinion of heaven, but I just get excited at the fact that right now in heaven, those people are thinking about us down here. They know soon we will be joining them, and God is anticipating the day when we will arrive and embrace Him face to face for the first time. But I think God sits on the Almighty Throne, and consistently thinks about those who haven't accepted the gift he has to offer. Even though he is all knowing, I think he often begs us as instruments to communicate to these people. There are so many people that God loves just like you and I that won't listen because Satan distorts what God has to offer to these people. God put a hole in all of our hearts, and some of us finally came to the realization of who completed that hole. But there are still millions of people, that naturally drift to other things that can only satisfy them for a short time. I believe God has called us to be so much more than we could ever realize. God's love letter to us (bible) mentions the fact that we are all called to ministry. Ministry=the introduction of a relationship with Jesus. We have been chosen to reach out to the people who are being taken away from God, and we are to pass a message of hope to them. It doesn't matter what field he calls us to (they are all important!), we are his instruments. We shouldn't be afraid of what people say to us, because they are only confused. They don't understand the gift that God has to offer, because if they did they wouldn't act like that. WE CANNOT GIVE UP ON THE PLAN THAT GOD HAS GIVEN US BECAUSE GOD NEVER GAVE UP ON US, AND HE'S NOT GIVING UP ON THOSE OUT THERE WHO WE ONCE WERE!!! Accept the plan that God has to offer you! Begin to understand how much God loves you, and then ministry comes with pleasure!

So I'm back here in humid Tennessee! God has blown me away with his presence. I think if I just flat out shared with you everything he did, it would take me so long! Also, what God did in my heart is going to stay inside so that he can grow me into the person he wants me to be. Don't get me wrong, His works will be shared, but only to an extent. The experiences I had were specifically for me, and I love that about our Dad. He gives us all intimate moments, and for me, this is just the beginning of an eternal walk with God. He deserves my all. Check out this song...God gave me this song on the beach when I was talking to Him. God...I won't forget the eternal list of experiences you gave me. I made so many friends, and I can't wait to be worshipping you with them forever! I love you, and this is only the beginning of you and me. You know that...

Take my heart, I Lay it down
At the feet of you whose crowned
Take my life, I’m letting go
I lift it upto You who’s throned

And I will worship You, Lord
Only You, Lord
And I will bow down before You
Only You Lord

Take my fret, take my fear
All I have, I’m leaving here
Be all my hopes, be all my dreams
Be all my delights, be my everything

And It’s just you and me here now
Only you and me here now

You should see the view
When it’s only You

GOD MAY THIS BE MY DAILY CRY TO YOU. FOR YOU ARE WORTH EVERY OUNCE OF ME, AND I ONLY HOPE I CAN PAY YOU BACK IN A VERY SMALL SENSE!

Okay, I stand in awe of what God has done for me here in Hawaii. I am looking forward to telling you guys all about it soon. He has blessed me beyond imagination. There have been so many opportunities, but anyways... I have put some awesome pictures in the gallery. After much prayer, God has told me to spend the last 11 days without focusing on home, so no more updates. Know that I love you guys and that I'm praying for all of you. I will see you soon...
Your brother in Christ,
Michael

So I just got out of worship at the Ohana Court here in Hawaii, and it was so incredible! The worship here is very free, and it's really funny to watch people giving glory to God through dancing around. I couldn't help but smile at all of these people willing to give everything for God! I was standing next to a guy from South Korea. What was amazing though was that I looked over at Him while we were worshiping, and tears were flowing down his face. This man was just like me, and in some amazing way God had reached out to this guy and changed his life just as he had mine. One of the pieces of God's love that captivates me is his consistency with us. The one man that has never given up on me no matter what is God and I am blown away by that. I found myself crying out to God this morning asking Him to forgive me for turning away from Him, and going after my own plans. I can see Him with a big smile on his face saying, "I love you, and I don't care what you've done. It's history. I have so much planned for you." Isn't that exciting? To know that the plans God has for us are huge and awesome! God's love is so complex, and I love it because we can spend eternity consuming it in our hearts with unique changes everyday! I pray that each day all of you in Tennessee are consuming God's love to the extent that you are moved. I pray that we would take the boldness already given to us and proclaim his love to the nations. I pray that all of you are moved at the fact that God has simply never left your side. He loves you more than you will ever understand in this lifetime! How great is our God!!!