And if one sins...

And if one sins, we have before the Father, an advocate- Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. (my translation)

Why does John call him the Righteous One? How fitting would it have been if he said the Lamb of God or another name that was used before? My take is that it qualifies him to be the wrath-bearer for our sins. The assurance that we have in him as our advocate is based on the righteous life that he lived. What grace it is to have the Righteous One as our advocate!

The Preacher of Peace

Ephesians 2:17 says that "He preached peace to you who were far off and to those who were near." Who is he? Scroll up a few verses and see that the preacher of peace is none other than Christ himself. King Jesus Christ, who has all authority in heaven and on earth, went out of his way to preach to us who were hostile to him. But verse 14 says that he broke down that dividing wall to waive the banner of peace. He could have pressed his thumb on our heads and squashed us like bugs but God, being rich in mercy, made us fellow citizen of heaven.

Praise God for peace with him.

Happy Birthday to me!

I praise God for another year in my life. 26 years old is closer to the big 3-0 than 25. There are years that you don't feel older but I felt 26. I praise God for what he did for me in my 25th year in Christ. I love Jesus more than I did than when I was 24 going to 25. He is a fountain of blessing and pouring out an abundant stream of grace. Everyday there is new grace for me to partake in and I am indebted to Christ for that. How do you repay someone that you owe an eternal amount? You can't! To Christ, I raise my cup and ask for more grace and more blessing because he graciously reward those who seek him. For my 26th year, I will seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness that all of "these" things may be added to me. What are these these things? God knows... and he gives gifts that are good and perfect.

God has blessed me so far with friends out here. It was a good birthday! Here are some shots that I took of the God's blessing in my life:

Johnny and Angie, graciously made me a Pizookie!

listened to Thabiti on "racial" harmony

Back for the next semester

I am excited for this coming semester. I had a great break in California and gained 10 pounds. I wish I was able to hang out with more people but I was glad to hang out with many of you. Thanks for a great time in Cali and please pray that God will continue to reveal himself to me. Pray that I would be faithful in studying God's word and balance it by not making it a textbook. Pray that I would be changed by the knowledge that he gives me through his word. See you guys in May.

Wiffleball with John Piper

A couple weeks ago, the TBI guys hung out with Pastor John. The first part of the day we had a Q&A with him and he shared with us a few things that were on his heart. We shared our testimonies over a delicious lunch and then we played wiffleball. The first year TBI guys (Primal Truth) beat the second year/everyone else there (Textual Variants) for the second time after the first time at the retreat. They beat us 2/3 in frisbee at the retreat though. Here are a few pictures from our Day with Pastor John...

Pastor John spreading the passion

Tony Romo (Marshall), one of my closest friends out here

Ben, another close buddy wearing some high shorts!

Johnny, a close friend that should stick to skating.

BEAST!!!

Rick Melson, our Theology of Worship prof. and South Campus Pastor

Tom Steller, My favorite person here at Bethlehem (funniest prof)

See Pastor John's joy in all things through Jesus Christ!

"Intense in all things"

Dudi, a man whose mind is always set on things above.

There are many picture that I would like to show because these are all brothers I love and would love to take back to California with me in ministry. Hopefully, I can snag a few :)

The JLA (Jen, Lou, Art) Visit to Minneapolis

I am almost convinced that I don't want visitors here in Minnesota. It's emotionally easier when I visit over there. I think if anyone I know visits me here it will end with me in tears. I was weeping for Joy when my Jennifer, Lou, and Art left today. I was amazed at the love of God that he would give such great friends. It is such a blessing to laugh like I used to when I was back home. I didn't wash my dishes once because these guys were all over it. I miss them already. I can still hear their voices around here, but it's only in my head. I got home after dropping them off and the room was totally silent. I can't stand that. God used my friends to show me the glory in his Love. In return, I worshiped him all the more!

Anyway, here are some pictures of the homies and our grace-filled weekend:

This was @ the scruptuous Famous Dave's in the Mall of America

Us waiting in the front of the line for the doors of the conference to open.

Walking around the city on our Lunch break.


(what is Art looking at?)


On Sunday evening we went out and watched an awesome concert at the Varsity Theater

At the conference, we also saw Pastor Alex and Tita Carol! That was blessing too because I don't think that I have seen them for the past year or so. Anyway, all this to say I had a great time this weekend.

TBI classes

I am back in the groove of school again but these classes are super intense. I love how much I am learning right now. God is much more glorious that I can imagine! I have a pretty wild imagination but God is Super Duper Amazing!!! I believe the angels call it Holy, Holy Holy! He is in a category of his own. I am not a great reader or a fast reader but the richness of what I am reading makes me want to read all day long. I understand why these scholars do it now. To know God more. To know the word more is the aim of my life. Please brothers and sisters, seek God in the Word knowing that is the all-satisfying mission in life.

John Wesley said this way: "I have thought I am a creature of a day, passing through life as an arrow through the air. I am a spirit come from God, and returning to God, just hovering over the great gulf, till a few moments hence, I am no more seen; I drop into an unchangeable eternity! I want to know one thing-the way to heaven, how to land safe on that happy shore. God himself has condescended to teach the way; for this very end he came from heaven. He has written it down in a book. O give me that Book at any price, give me the book of God."