² Test me, O LORD, and try me,
examine my heart and my mind;

³ for your love is ever before me,
and I walk continually in your truth.

Is my heart and my mind focused on God? I know they sometimes aren’t. When the desires of the world creep into my mind, I am more than willing to put God on the back burner. I think unclean thoughts and hurtful words. Those aren’t from you God. I’m sorry. Test me Lord. Show me where I am weak and lack your likeness. Examine my heart and mind. Look deep inside me and tell me my thoughts and feelings. Wipe them from me and lets start over. I want to walk in your ways Lord because you are loving and kind. It’s just that this world gets in the way and I can’t see.

But that’s my problem. No one else’s. So I will be strong and push those things aside and look at you because you are loving and kind.

Colossians 3:2

Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.

My mind should be on things above not on the things of this earth. Lord please help me to think of heavenly things, not things that would pollute my mind. I don’t want to think of those things but my flesh does. Destroy my flesh! I don’t want it. I want you and your heavenly thoughts. I don’t want to long for the things of this earth. I want to long for you Lord. I know that if I keep pressing forward you will give me your strength. I just need to wait for it. I know your heavenly strength will help me to banish those longings and thoughts. I will be able to beat my body and make it my slave. Thats what I truly want.

Lord you are so gracious and forgiving. I never deserve all the love and mercy you show to me. Thank you Lord for you word that guides me. Without you, I don’t know where I’d be.

-Prezza 지원 Rene

Prayer Requests:

Tuition. I can’t work while I am here so I need to fundraise for the War College

Summer Assignment- That I will be preparing my heart and mind for the Summer God has for me

Future Plans- God has called me to work in ministry in South Korea. Please pray that I will have faith and trust God as the preparations are being made.

My family.

March 21, 2010

5:30 PM

The Salvation Army Blue Island Corps

2900 127th st. Blue Island, IL  60406

This is a postmodern worship service hosted by the first and second year War College students: Prezza Rene, Josh Gamble, Amber Ulery, and Erin Collins. We are so excited to be doing experiential worship as you’ve never seen. There will be fellowship with people from all over and you will meet some awesome new people as well. There will possibly be food but this will definitely be an amazing experience. Although this experience will be geared toward young adults/teens, anyone is welcome!

Just a reminder to those out there.   Sometimes the fight is not as easy as we want it to be or think it should be.  Hebrews 12 talks all about God’s discipline for those He loves.  Hebrews 12:1 encourages us to “lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely and let us run with endurance …”  Sin is heavy and painful.  It can hold us back and definitely make our fight harder the more we hold onto it.  God calls us to lay aside every weight so that the race is easier to endure.

In verse 11 …  “For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”  The War College is not supposed to be an easy, kick back year.  It’s meant to be a challenge.  It’s for those who want to deepen their relationship with the Lord and in order to do so they must give up whatever it is God asks them to give up.  These can include relationships, family, certain food and luxuries, clothes, other material things, as well as thought patterns, habits, schedules and the obvious, sin.  Sometimes people do not know they are even in sin until it is pointed out by others … we do that sometimes.  We learn how to gently correct others and hold them accountable … all out of love and concern for the others well being. Sometimes it is messy but God is here.

I know a few students (and non-students) who can testify to the ugliness of holding onto something we know which we ought to get rid of.  But once we do get rid of it the fruit is yielded and the race seems a bit lighter and we wonder why we held onto that “weight” for so long.

I exhort all believers to really take a look at their baggage.  What are you carrying with you that you should have dropped off long ago?  Why are you still holding onto it?

Let it go.  Cling closely to Christ, the author and perfecter of your faith.

R. Lewis

We believe that the Lord will triumph! Isaiah 42:13

grace and peace,

amber

Click here.

Erin Collins: Her mother has suffered two strokes and is in ICU. Please pray for a miraculous recovery, comfort and peace for the family as they fight along side of her.

Prezza Rene: A friend from high school, Paul,  commited suicide and she has gone to South Dakota. Please pray for comfort, guidance and safety as she travels. Please also pray that she would be bold and be a voice for God. That she too can bring comfort and hope as she meets with old unsaved friends and Pauls family.