So I'm checking out the YWAM website, and lookie at what Mikey found...

I miss her! LOL! It's good to see that God is moving in mighty ways through her and others though! Stay strong Amber! I think all of Murfreesboro is excited to see you again!

Hey guys! Wow it's 2006? That means all the fun times I had senior year are just gone? Craziness I tell ya! It seems like just a few weeks ago I was watching the ball drop thinking of what in the world I was going to do for prom! LOL! So...how has the new year been for everybody? I gotta tell you guys, Passion 06 was so awesome! God spoke to me in so many ways, and praise God for what he did there. I know he stirred so many hearts through so many wonderful leaders! God showed me that suffering is necessary as a Christian. Whether I experience it now or 20 years from now, it happens. As I was driving home from the movies, it dawned on me. We suffer in this life yet our eternal reward awaits us. It's like we are totally in the world, but our focus isn't on the temporary stuff! That helped me so much because God has helped me prepare for times of trial! For instance, a couple of nights ago I went to my buddy's apartment, and I parked in someone's parking spot by accident. They stuck a yellow boot on my wheel which kept my vehicle from moving, and they charged me 95 dollars! Guess what? I had to call my mom! AHH! LOL! It was midnight so you can imagine. God worked it out, but the whole thing was crazy. I didn't have to pay my mom back just vacuum the house! LOL! I know that's a small example, and I am fully aware of other circumstances. Jennifer has been diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis yet she continues to let God shine through her! God is working in amazing ways through her life, and it's so awesome to see God stirring other's hearts through her testimony! No matter what you are going through, know that suffering is temporary, and if you focus on the cross and the promise that was made, you will find a fulfilling satisfaction in your heart that will get you through anything! I love ya'll! Stay strong!

(THIS GIRL IS GETTING MARRIED IN 5 MONTHS! AHH! LOL! You know you like the look I got! HEYY)

Pictures from Passion 06

GOD WENT FROM....

TO....

Our eternal reaction to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ is quickly approaching...We are about to come face to face with the ultimate example of love.....

ARE YOU READY???

Do you ever take some time to look back at a time in your life when you were totally on fire for God, and find yourself asking, "What happened?" I'm not saying I totally fell off the edge or anything, but I took a trip this past week to Johnson City to see my grandfather. It was just God and me. I'm not going to talk about my every experience, but I realized that I had not been only leaning on other people for guidance, but I was not giving God all praise and glory for putting those people in my life. Man I felt so selfish! How could I focus more on the people in my life instead of the person who planted them there in the first place? As I was driving down the road, I found myself saying, "I'm sorry Daddy, I love you." You wanna know the amazing thing? He simply said, "Michael, I love you....I just wanna be with you forever. I'm so proud of you...." No matter where you have been or what you've done, or who you've praised, remember God is right there simply waiting on you to extend your hand to Him. He wants forever with YOU!

FATHER....I'm sorry.....I love you and want forever with you too....

Hey guys! Sorry it has been so long! How is everybody doing? So I have a funny story to share...I was running late for a class about a week or so ago, and I was jetting for class. People watched as I darted past them eventually ending up in class. When I got to class I realized my pants were halfway down. Those poor students I ran past got mooned by the hottest guy ever! LOL! I wish one of those guys would have had a camera to capture the hilarious site. Michael the dork at your service! Anyways Christmas break is 2 exams away for me! AHH Christmas break means...

Chick Fil A

Nice pose (LOL)

Christmas with my family


Road trip to see my grandfather

The legend! Nuff said!

AND FINALLY in 19 days...

God is so graciously giving 15000 plus college students the chance to experience his glorification.

Passion 06! Will you guys lift up this conference in your prayers at some point during the break? Yes, God is going to be glorified, but the prayer of our hearts should be that he captivates students who are searching. The time for eternal worship is approaching quickly, and God wishes to work through us to captivate all nations! Exciting stuff! I hope you guys have an awesome Christmas break! Oh and I almost forgot! (LOL!)

Two beautiful girls who will definitely be needing our prayers the next couple of months! Jennifer (being tested STILL! AHH), and Amber (she's leaving for Thailand Fri. Dec 23-Feb. 19)

God bless you guys!

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