So I was up in Johnson City this past week, and I walked into an Old Navy with my cousin. As I walked in, I looked around the store and it was the craziest thing I've ever seen! There were moms everywhere knocking each other over! Clothes were spread out and some were even on the floor. The dressing rooms were backed up to the door, and so were the lines to get out. I just had to stop and laugh because of how silly people get during the holidays! All I know is, I'm waiting until December 23rd! LOL! Happy Holidays!
Michael

P.S. Thank you for your prayers for Jennifer! She is still awaiting her test results in regards to Cystic Fibrosis! There are so many people interceding for our family, and I just want to thank you guys! God, thank you for working through Jennifer to bring so many people to Christ through this! We have an awesome God who knows what he's doing! I will let you guys know when I find out the results! Pray for healing over Jennifer! She's already getting better! Thanks!

Thanksgiving is upon us, and do you know what that means? It means gaining that extra five pounds before you get ready to work off doing Christmas shopping! It means seeing that annoying grandmother who pinches your cheeks until your face falls off! For guys it means watching football! For girls, it means playing games in the living room becoming violent at times because this is the tradition of Thanksgiving! LOL! I hope you guys have an awesome Thanksgiving! I'm headed to Johnson City until Saturday! Don't forget to give thanks to God for all of the blessings in your life! We are so fortunate to have everything that we do in America! Most of the world is not as fortunate as we are! I love you guys!

Always give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ -Ephesians 5:20

Give thanks to the Lord for he is good! His faithful love endures forever
-Psalm 118:29

"If you want to burn every single calorie you gained from Thanksgiving, you would have to run 20 miles."     -Anonymous

This is just a thought....

Imagine yourself walking down a road. You look out in front of you, and you see that the road ahead of you comes to an end, but at the end of the road is one MILLION other roads. You can choose any road you want to, and as you focus on God you realize something! No matter what road you choose to travel down, God has carefully thought out each road.

We have an awesome God who is so big that this lifetime will only cover a dot of who he is. God has an awesome future for us, and it's been well thought out! So no matter what is going on in your life, know that if you surrender to God, you are surrendering to an infinite Mind. Someone who isn't going to steer you in the wrong direction, because before time began, he was thinking of carrying out part of his mission through YOU!

Here are a couple of really random quotes that got my attention this week!

Obey God in the thing he shows you, and instantly the next thing is opened up. God will never reveal more truth about himself until you have obeyed what you know already...This chapter brings out the delight of real friendship with God.
-Oswald Chambers

Michael: So, Amber, what's going on at YWAM?
Amber: God is doing amazing things, but let me tell you! Someone stole my pop tart!

LOL! It was so random, but I thought it was pretty funny when she said it. Anyways how is everybody? I hope that your obedience to God will bring you a few steps closer to Him this week! I love you guys!

Michael

So what's up with the 80 degree weather? LOL! Oh well God has been gracious enough to remind us of summer! Hey guys, Jennifer still needs prayer! Do you know how I said she had pancreatitis, well they think she has something else along with that now. (I will let you know when we definitely know what it is) Thank you for your continued prayers! I know I can feel God speaking words of peace to my family, and unifying us! So...yestereday I was in my car, and God gave me an awesome illustration. I was in the desert walking. I had sweat pouring down my face. I was on the narrow road that Jesus talks about. Satan was yelling in my ears, but Jesus was leading me farther and farther into the desert, telling me to stay focused on his eyes. When I got to a certain point, I saw a cross ahead. I said, "God, why is there a cross, I thought Jesus sacrificed enough already." God said to me, "Of course He did, but you have to die to yourself before you can take up the mission I have for you." I realize that in a disciple's walk, God will lead that person on a narrow road that leads straight into brokenness. This brokenness leads to the strengthening of our hearts, and the actual reality of who we are. We get so tired, but Jesus continues to inspire us with his words. Satan is there trying to get us to turn around and pursue a life of self righteousness. But if we overcome the sweat and the tears, if we overcome the trials of life, we find a call of the cross in our own lives. We die to ourselves, so that Christ becomes the ultimate hand throughout our lives. He desires to carry out part of his mission through you. Will you die to yourself?

This is what the Lord God says:
he who created the heavens and stretched them out
who spread out the earth and that comes out of it,
who gives breath to its people and life to those who walk on it, I the Lord have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your right hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison, and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.                               -Isaiah 42:5-7

Well Jennifer has pancreatitis which is definitely better than cancer. It could have various effects on her so we are praying that she will endure, and that God will give her the strength! I was listening to a song today! Check this out! It's so awesome because to grow into the heart of God, we have to first be broken of ourselves! Remember that even if the road is tough, know that Christ has an awesome future in store for you!
Third Day "Mountain of God"

Thought that I was all alone
Broken and afraid
But You were there with me
Yes, You were there with me

And I didn't even know
That I had lost my way
But You were there with me
Yes, You were there with me

'Til You opened up my eyes
I never knew
That I couldn't ever make it
Without You

Even though the journey's long
And I know the road is hard
Well, the One who's gone before me
He will help me carry on
After all that I've been through
Now I realize the truth
That I must go through the valley
To stand upon the mountain of God

As I travel on the road
That You have lead me down
You are here with me
Yes, You are here with me
I have need for nothing more
Oh, now that I have found
That You are here with me
Yes, You are here with me

I confess from time to time
I lose my way
But You are always there
To bring me back again

Sometimes I think of where it is I've come from
And the things I've left behind
But of all I've had, what I possessed
Nothing can quite compare
With what's in front of me
With what's in front of me

Please pray for my sister tonight and tomorrow morning. She is having exploratory surgery on her pancreas to see what's wrong. Her surgery is 6 a.m. Friday morning at Vanderbilt Hospital. God is going to move in mighty ways, and we believe that he will heal Jennifer. Thank you guys for keeping my family in your prayers...

Wow....I can't believe my birthday is here! Well God thank you for giving me everything you have in my life! This past year was absolutely amazing, and I will never forget it! You have changed my life! Bring on a new chapter in my life!

I came out this morning, and the sun was hitting the leaves. It was a crisp morning, and I could smell chimney smoke. It's crazy to think not only Fall is here, but Halloween is tomorrow! What are you guys going to be? I think a bunch of us are going to crash party city tomorrow afternoon! I'm actually going to be off for Halloween so we are totally going trick or treating! No matter what you do tomorrow, I pray that you would give God glory during this holiday. Even though we think of this holiday as dark, remember that Christ desires to reach out every single day! You never know what kind of door God will open! You guys have fun! I love you!

Michael

Update on Jennifer: They thought she had cancer because they detected lumps on her pancreas, but they have pretty much ruled that out. They still don't know exactly what's going on, but they know her pancreas is inflamed. Thank you for your continued prayers! God is doing amazing things in Jennifer's life, and she's taking everything pretty well right now!

Hey guys! So Sarah and I had to go to the Discovery House for this Halloween Bash thing. We took prizes and the dreaded cow suit! So when my turn came, I had to put on this cow suit right? Well it was like 110 degrees in there, and so Sarah takes me out, and of course the little kids wanted hugs so that was awesome! Well, I decided after 30 minutes that I was roasting! I was drenched in sweat! So I go back to the room to change, and I realize that I can't take this cow suit off by myself or can I?? So I start fighting and wrestling with this thing. Finally I get this hole in the back of the cow. So I stick my face through the hole and I start laughing. If a kid were to come in at that moment, he would be terrified at that sight. It would seriously look like the Chick Fil A cow was giving berth to a big hot stud! LOL! But I made it safely out of the cow, only to see Sarah standing at the door dying with laughter because my poor hair was in every direction! LOL! Good times! Guys, it was so awesome to be in that cow suit and see the look on kid's faces. It was like looking in the eyes of Christ tonight! I didn't want to let go of those kids, and I caught a glimpse of how Christ feels about us. He never wants to let us go, and we don't have to! Remember that today! Christ loves you! Don't leave his arms....trust me he's happy to hold you!

Michael

I FINALLY GOT A CELL PHONE! 691-2903!

Miguel

Well last night was awesome! I got baptized, and I would like to thank friends and family for coming out and supporting what God has done in my life. But I wanted to share what I saw later that night. I was in worship with this group of people, and I closed my eyes. I thought back on my baptism, and I saw Jesus baptizing me. It wasn't Chris Madison, it was Christ. Before I was "dunked" I envisioned Christ smiling and saying, "Do you accept the plan I have for you releasing your own plans so that I can give you what I want for you? Do you love me enough to fulfill my calling for your life?" I said, "I do." When I came up out of the water Christ was smiling and he simply said, "I love you...You are MY MESSENGER...Malachi."

Hey guys! This is just an announcement to everybody! I'm getting baptized Sunday at 6 p.m. at Belle Aire! Dillon is becoming Baptist! LOL! I would love it if you guys came out and supported me! Also, still no news on my sister! I will let you guys know what's going on when I hear something! I love ya'll!

Michael

I know I know...update within one day but I was reading this in my devotional, "Wild at Heart," and it hit me hard. I was reading a portion of my workbook, and it mentioned in Daniel 10 that it took an angel 3 weeks to get to Daniel because of spiritual warfare. WOW...Sometimes I think I forget the magnitude of the fight going on right now. Yes it's a battle between Satan and God, but it's also a battle for your heart...WOW...I think I have forgotten so many times that God is FIGHTING for me! He's fighting for you too. The battle we face is extreme! Satan knows that you are dangerous if you consume yourselves in God's heart. When we edge closer and closer to God's intentions for our lives, we are being built up to resist and fight the devil. HOLY COW! Doesn't that get you excited? There is a bigger story at hand here. It's so important to consume yourself in the heart of God. Not only does he long to reveal himself to you/a plan for your life, but he desires to equip you for battle. He wants to get us ready for a fight which determines the destination of thousands of people a day. People are dying every second, and it's up to Christians all over the world to take a stand. Are we going to fight for the cause of Christ? Will we project the love of Christ globally? Will we become the body of Christ for the lost in this world? God is calling you by name....Will you answer? Will you rise up?

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.  -1 Peter 5: 8-9

Hey guys! How is everybody? Well I just wanted to update everyone on my sister's status. First off, I just want to thank everybody for your prayers! It's awesome to know that there are people praying for Jennifer all over the world. She took her test yesterday, and now we are just waiting on the results. My sister seemed to have survived her test okay. I was a little worried about the chemicals she had to take. I will update when I know what is going on with Jennifer. Until then, I hope you would continue to pray for her, and that whatever is wrong with her would be minor if it's in God's will! So what's up in my life? God is continuing to rock my world with intimacy. I definitely have been leaning on Him, and I am blown away by what he's showing me as a result. School is busy, but I still am having time to hang out with people which is good. I can't believe I'm going to be 19 in TWO WEEKS! I don't know if you guys think like I do, but it's also a step closer to being a Daddy and a Husband! Holy cow! I was just sitting in the 5th grade, and now I'm in college! Soon I will be standing in front of God saying what happened! LOL! Anyways I love you guys! I hope you're doing well! God loves you so much, and I pray you would continue to understand that in a deeper way each day! -Michael

-I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go... Genesis 28:15

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!