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solomon3_1
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Name: Ray
Birthday: 3/31/1986
Gender: Male
Interests: I love trying new things... I read, hang out, see movies, travel whenever I can wherever I can, and like meeting new people.
Expertise: I enjoy teaching and being taught (which makes me annoying to people who don't want to learn)...
Speaking of expertise though... there is no clergy option or anything of the sort in the industry selection... what if you're a preacher?
Occupation: Student
Industry: Other
Message: message meEmail: email me
AIM:  malachiofbbc
Member Since:
2/6/2005
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| For anyone who doesn't know what they are doing in life you might not
understand this, but I've actually come to find myself trapped within
the groove I set. I worked so hard to have all these things in my life
set just so I wouldn't have to worry about them, now I'm kind of done.
I'm set going in my direction. I've set sail, and now just have to ride
the waves and the storms until I arrive at my destination. Hhmm... I'm
content, but now I want to change a few things here and there. (sigh)
I'm hopelessly stuck being me. Always striving, always beating against
the wind, always looking for the next conquest. I'm trying to cut some
things out, to make my life a little more relaxed. I think I really
need it. I need to slow down in some ways. I need to take more time on
some things, appreciate some things more. I've decided to drop my
associates degree in music. I've taken all the important core classes,
there are just some choirs and other recitals I would have to fulfill.
I've decided I don't want to put more energy into it, I have what I
really wanted, to continue striving in this direction would just be
vanity. I'd be more or less in it for the "degree" not because it would
be of any use to ministry. There is still a lot to do, with so little
time, but I am learning to have more faith. Faith to finish what God
has begun, and faith to do what I think can't be done. I just have to
have patience before I see that what is impossible with man, is
possible with God. TTYL - Ray
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| My entry like five minutes ago was already long but I had to mention this...
There was a guy down at the square with a telescope and a tip bucket, I
didn't have anything for him, but he let me look anyways. I saw Saturn!
I could make out the planet and the rings and everything, it was
awesome! At first I was afraid it was a joke, but I've never seen this
guy before and he was just asking for a tip, he wasn't charging people.
Not only that, but I could see the planet like a star without any help,
and it did look different than other stars. From what I've read online,
there are certain times every once in a while that it is possible to
see, and I got a chance to. Anyways, I just thought that was cool.  
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| I'm not quite sure where to begin this... but for it to make sense I
guess I better give the whole context. I go out on Friday nights to the
square to pass out tracts. I did it frequently last year and have only
had the time since this semester began to do it again. I always went by
myself. My witnessing style wasn't very personal when I started, but
with time, just talking to people around the area, I became more
relaxed and open. This semester, I have made it an actual ministry
through my church, Noble Hill. It is great having other people down
there with me, doing the same thing, but I don't think everyone has the
same sort of heart for it or attitude towards it. The people down at
the square are usually the unchurched kinda people. The ones who are,
are no longer interested in hearing anything from God, especially not
while they are trying to have their fun. So the ministry is a little
rough. I've met some rude people. I've met some who were offended and
angry at my attempt at "pushing" my faith on them. I've had plenty of
drunks who have just laughed at me. It is more of a seed planting
ministry, just making people aware and getting them thinking in the
direction of eternity and of God.
It was on one of my Friday outings, tonight, that I met Dave. Dave was
with a group of friends. Dave liked to talk to people and hear
different ideas and beliefs. Dave was also Jewish, and adamantly so. I
worry because there was so much that I felt like I did "wrong" but I
must realize that it is God who is ultimately going to have to call a
person to Himself. The Holy Spirit must work to reveal truth. Dave had
a problem with love and hate. He loved the people that loved him, and
hated the ones that hated him. He is originally from New York and has
met many a "skin-head." He doesn't understand how someone can
hate someone without a cause, and admits they are doing wrong, they are
in sin. However, he also cannot understand how living your life your
own way and going down to the square and getting drunk are also wrong.
Sinners are horrible people, not everybody. The greatest thing I wanted
him to understand, that I think would lead him to such a greater
understanding of God, and so much closer to Christ, would be that God
loves all of us. The Jew, the gentile, the skin-head, and that He would
have us all in heaven. Dave couldn't understand how he could ever love
someone who hated him, and though I tried to make it clear, the idea
that we are an offense to God and He should hate and judge us, but
instead loves us, and gave Jesus for us, didn't seem to ever click to
him.
I made, maybe not mistakes, but errors in etiquette while speaking with
him. I kept bringing up the New Testament for awhile. He didn't accept
it, so it was pointless to try to base any truth off of it. So I stuck
with the Old Testament, but even then, he had a hard time accepting a
lot of things. He couldn't get past this: How could I ever love someone
who hates me? Persecution is part of his heritage as a Jew, and while I
did try to make some connection there because I am black, my people
have known hate without a cause, he still refused to accept that he
could ever do such a thing, and that I was a "better man" for being
able to do so.
Overall, I think God was glorified and I pray that someone who can give
a clearer presentation of the Gospel with the OT will come into Dave's
life. Before we left, I asked him that when the time came, that he
would love as God loved him, and not hate, just because another hated
him first. I felt so disappointed for not knowing everything I thought
I should know and not being able to win him. I know God must do His
part. I know that Dave must be willing to accept. I know that it takes
time for many people. I also know that the Hebrew people are not some
great and superior people, but the ones who God has chosen to work
through in the past. However, for all the persecution they have dealt
with and all the struggles of carrying the burden of their blessing, I
feel like I owe them as a people. True, our current situation is in a
way linked to their failure to obey God, but regardless, they are the
oracles of God. They were given the Law and the Prophets, it was
through them that Messiah came... They belong in the family of God, we
all do, and it hurt to see him reject. I pray that one day, before its
too late, he will repent. In the meantime, I will work on Jewish
evangelism, and learn more about how to lead a person to Christ,
without the New Testament for the most part. TTYL - Ray
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| Perhaps its a selfish thing, but as soon as I got out of my house, I
wanted to be a kid. So much of my childhood was spent having to grow up
fast, I guess I always felt like I was missing something. Not that
being childish is a good thing, or even all that fun... I mean, having
people dictate everything you do, having no control over anything, and
completely dependent on others, thats not exactly a great time. Not
that I have a problem being a child of God... I've never had to worry
about what choices He has made for me, I've just wondered about why
from time to time. So I get my freedom to be a child, but find that
that freedom is bondage. Perhaps my childhood wasn't as carefree as I
would have liked it to be... Perhaps I did have to grow up faster than
I really wanted to... But do I really want to make my young adulthood
more difficult than it has to be by fighting for something that has
already past? I've already learned that living outside of your stage in
life is hard, why would I long to continue living in such a way? So I
grow up. Not that it can be done overnight necessarily, but then again,
its not something foreign to me. When you grow up an "old man" its not
too hard to resort back to your old ways. So... As contrary as it may
seem, I am putting off the new boy and putting on the old man.
How this will all work out, only God knows, but I know that taking up
some of the responsibility I've tried to lay down and standing where I
know I should is something my Father expects of me. Something He gave
me the privelage of learning early and that I should take advantage of
instead of regretting. I will be 20 years old soon, but I'm probably
older than that in spirit. I will be 7 years old by my new birth, but
even there, God has allowed me to "get ahead" in life. So with all this
said, I'm going to work. There is no escaping the inevitable. I have
more responsibility now than ever, and more opportunity now than ever
before, to not only avoid what I know I shouldn't but do those things I
know I should, and see how God works through me while doing what I've
never done before... act my age.
I Corinthians 13:11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I
understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I
put away childish things.
Growing up, physically and spiritually may be hard sometimes but...
I Corinthians 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then
face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I
am known.
The older we get, the more we get to know ourselves. The more that we see His image placed on us.
I Corinthians 13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
And the more we learn what is most important in life... Not the
struggles, but the faith that overcomes them... Not the missed
opportunities and failed attempts... But the hope of something new and
better... Not the spite of not getting what we thought we wanted... But
the charity, the love, that comes from giving all we have... This is
growing up.
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You Are a Warrior Soul
You're a strong person and sometimes seen as intimidating.
You don't give up. You're committed and brave.
Truly adventuresome, you are not afraid of going to battle.
Extremely protective of loved ones, you root for the underdog.
You are picky about details and rigorous in your methods.
You also value honesty and fairness a great deal.
You can be outspoken, intimidating, headstrong, and demanding.
You're a hardliner who demands the best from themselves and others.
Souls you are most compatible with: Old Soul and Peacemaker Soul
Headstrong...
Back off I’ll take you on
Headstrong to take on anyone
I know that you are wrong
Headstrong we’re Headstrong
Back off I’ll take you on
Headstrong to take on anyone
I know that you are wrong and this is not where you belong
I can’t give everything away
I won’t give everything away
It is always a struggle to
find a place where I can lay aside arrogance and pride and depend on
God. However, when I let Him have His place in my life, I have seen
awesome things and look forward to a life full of even more marvelous
things. Edgy? Yes... I have to beware going off the deep end and
falling... Worth it? Of course... Not only is the view amazing, but
there will be a time when I will be called over the edge... and then I
will have the chance to fly...
I Peter 5:6-7 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God,
that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for
he careth for you.
Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their
strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and
not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
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