Easter

With Easter coming up, Jesus has been on my mind more then usual. Can you imagine what it would be like to go back in time and be there when Jesus was hung on the cross? What would you do? If you were asked to take up a cross next to him and die at His side would you? I think about this quite a bit and there are times where I feel as if the world is falling down on me then I remember Matthew 16:24 "Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me."  God doesn't just ask us to give part of ourselves to Him. God wants us to follow Him with everything we do and own. God wants us to take up our own crosses and follow him. No matter what your going through, no matter what your dealing with. NOTHING is impossible when you believe in Jesus. So as you prepare to celebrate Easter with family and friends take a moment to pray and remember that God gave his son so that we may live.
Toby

Spring Break

Spring break a time of having fun and celebrating the hopeful end of winter. Schools let out, and families plan trips. As many want to enjoy every day of their break. Everything is beautiful. Then the week begins to end, the vacation wrapping up. Students begin to remember they have exams. Adults have work to finish spring has come to end.

Friends and Wisdom from it all

Friends

I never did understand why we gain friends and lose friends. Why sometimes the best things in life end up being the worst things in life. Even why bad things happen to good people. There is so many questions I want to ask friends I have lost, family that have past away, or even loved ones whom are no longer loved. Like what happened, or if I could change anything that would make a difference what would it be?

While everyone reminds me that given time life will change its hard to believe. Yet when I reflect on all that has happened in my life I seem to always come back to one conclusion. Even though I have been through many tough situations there has always been someone there to help. Even though I have lost a lot and made many mistakes (Yes I am human after all) I have also gained a lot. I have gained knowledge and something recently made obvious to me I have gained wisdom. You see everything I have been through all the mistakes and all the achievements. I have gained experience that I can share with others, things such as in relationships sometimes the best thing is time. And in life things will change, just keep moving forward and life will get better. These things I have learned not from someone else but from my own mistakes. achievements and life experience.

Yet almost all this the best wisdom is not the wisdom I can give others nor the wisdom others gives me but the wisdom that only God has and can give if we only listen. Years down the road I hope to be able to look back and share my experiences with my children hoping that they will not make the same mistakes I did and will learn from my own wisdom. I also hope that those reading this will think twice about what elders tell you. Sometimes the best source of advice comes from those that have been there.

Martin Luther King Jr Day (and my opinion on LGBT)

Today we celebrate a man whom had a dream, a dream where all people would be created equal, where no matter what your color, you can still have a equal job, a safe house, and even shared restrooms. Yet if we break this down even further Martin Luther King Jr. believed in everyone being treated equal. I personally have many friend whom in Martin Luther King Jr's day would be arrested just for talking with me let alone sitting by me. I thank God that this has happened. Yet with everyone talking about the LGBT community let me also say I believe in everyone being treated EQUAL. Now this doesn't mean I agree with the life choices of the LGBT community, in fact I believe it should be a man and a woman only. BUT I do believe that everyone should be treated fairly. I also believe in treated all with respect no matter their race, religion or preference. In the bible Jesus didn't "hang" around the pastors, the kings etc He hung around those in need. The sinners, the hurt, the deaf, the blind.

Mark 2:16-17

16 And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 17 And when Jesus heard it, he said to them,“Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Mark 2:16-17

So as a christian I feel called to help all. to show compassion no matter their race, religion, gender, preference etc. Am I right? I don't know I am not God but I believe based on what I have read that this is what God wants. Not for us to say that something such as LGBT is right but to accept them no matter whom they are and to show compassion and kindness.

Sincerely
Toby

Note: All things here are of my personal opinion and in no way reflect anything or anyone else. If you have questions or arguments feel free to leave a comment but please keep it civil. I will not respond to useless debates of religion because someone wants attention. I will however respond to people using their brains and supporting themselves with facts. Thanks

Paths

There are many paths in life and these paths twist and turn but to which path do we take a path isn't always lit up or marked sometimes a path is covered in roots and cracks. Some paths have hills some have road bumps but when we come to a road bump how do we proceed do we slow down and go across carefully or do we keep flying and go over it doing damage that isn’t repairable. Life is the same way life is full of ups and downs its full of cracks and bumps but we need to slow down when nearing a bump or crack, if we do not then damage is done. And unlike a car damage done in life is something that you cannot reverse life is a one way road there is no reverse , there is no time machine.

All Poetry is created by me please do not share without permission or without properly citing me.

(Old Poetry) Easter

When you think of Easter what do you think of? Do you think of the Easter Bunny? Maybe you think of Easter egg's and basket's. But have you ever thought about what Easter actually celebrates?  Well I have, the true reason of Easter is the resurrection of God's Son Jesus Christ who paid the ultimate sacrifice by dieing on the cross for our sin's that’s right He died for you and me and whoever else shall believe in Him.

All Poetry is created by me, please do not share without permission or without proper citing me.
Thanks,
Toby


Notes: A giant thanks go's out to my family and friends whom have encouraged me to continue with my poetry and whom have given me great idea's and suggestions to help me in my progress.

Forgiveness

Forgiveness

Our pastor at my church yesterday talk about the power of forgiveness. And how sometimes we may forgive others but its hard to not want to still hurt them or to do things that go against that forgiveness. We need to trust God , we are broken and are body's dont always agree with what are soul wants. One of the things I am going to work on is forgiving more, and praying when that forgiveness is hard to do. For God gave the ultimate price and showed us the ultimate forgiveness when He sent His Son down to die on the cross for our sins. I look at forgiveness as if our father is willing to sacrifice his one and only son so that we may have eternal life then whom am I to hold a grudge? If GOD can forgive all my wrong doings than why shouldn't I forgive others no matter what they have done? I heard a song awhile back that hit home called "Forgiveness" By Matthew West (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9J6xOT3Ldw ) This song really hit's home and I encourage all to watch it if you are struggling with someone that has hurt you.

Also this blog will be a source of various things including bible posts and my own poetry feel free to give your opinion but please keep it civil.

Sincerely
Toby