glad to be back!!!

You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone. ~Exodus 18:18

So i apologize for not being on in a few months...school heavily got in the way, but God is showing me a easier way to approach things. A big life lesson currently is he never gives me more than I can handle, I just choose sometimes to TAKE more than I need. Yeah fourteen credit hours was an mistake. Especially when it included Anatomy and an Lab, which two weeks ago I dropped.

After I looked over my advising guide and looking at University of South Florida prerequisites, it looks like I won't have to take Anatomy after all. Hallelujah!!! I will admit all of this is just a blessing, and I have a lot more peace.

I'm really excited for the rest of this year...I pray God, will show me different opportunities to serve. With this load off, now I can actaully spend more time with him, which i'm so relieved because I really really really missed my full-time with my adonai.

Anyways I hope all is well. I will post again soon.

What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8

..back to reality

Wow, i can't believe the summer is almost over. God, I thank you sooooooooooooo much for the past 6 weeks to server as a teacher, and counselur to all those kids. It's such a gut good feeling, when I see kids on fire for their savior, and just growing in the spirit. I pray I will get to do it again next summer. God definitly went beyond my expectations. Seeing God use me as a comfort, wisdom and just a friend to these kids was just so touching to my soul.

Its weird coming home I will admit, alot it happening, but I'm so steadfast in my faith and haha I am going no where ;)

Yes Lord!!!

It's been a pretty sweet experience. These recent two weeks have been such a privilege, that I just don't know how to thank him enough. It's kind-of hard to type at 8:00am while the past two weeks you live on 5 hours of sleep max each night. I love what I'm doing, and he hasn't given me a situation I can't handle. These kids are a blessing in my life. Senior camp I really got to open up and counsel boys that I honestly thought couldn't learn a single thing from me.

I've learned God can use your gift, and your testimony to glorify him in different ways. He's even deepened my passion for the lost, and lonely. If we say we wanna help save the world, that means everybody needs the chance to learn God's salvation. If we won't give our neighbor/classmate the time of time, we are hindering them the kingdom. Jesus didn't just die for one set of people, but the Jews and Gentiles..EVVVEEERRRRYYYYOONNNEEE!!!! It's time to put away all childish insecurities. Anyways, I will be back on later, i'm going back to sleep lol.

Off to Camp..

I honestly don't know what to expect!!! I've never been to camp before. I have faith that anything is possible to result. God is faithful as well, and I believe 1 corinthians 2:9..No eye has seen, no ears have heard of what he has planned for those who love him. It just excites me!!! Keep my mind focused on the kingdom, and everything else will fall into place!!! Here we go!!! I will be back on next weekend!

Deliverance..Thank You!

Psalms 32:7 You are my hiding place;
you will protect me from trouble
and surround me with songs of deliverance.

the pathway of a Christian is a calling of sacrifice, giving up your life to serve so much more beautiful and bigger than you've ever imagined. The verse "tho there is pain in the offering blessed be your name"..just came to my mind today. God forgives us everyday, and every second. In 1 Peter it says "take delight in the suffering you will endure because it glorifies the father". This could me physically, emotionally etc. For me recently I've witnessed how deep this forgiveness touches. Though I'm facing consequences from my past I really don't care because it's only the world. Only a fool lets anything stand in the way of the father. I'm not afraid anymore, i am victorious in his name.

He carried the cross, so I can stand on and move mountains, how great is that? lol. I've been forgiven, he has forgotten my sins and that is all that matters so its time to glorify this incredible savior who has delivered us. Prepare your shield, sharpen your sword...the battles we face may seem horrible but with God..haha..its kids play ;)..!!!

oh how he takes delight in his servants!!!

Okay I had no idea what to call this post, so don't be shocked if it looks like the title has nothing to do with the rest. Today I just had a lot on my mind. About relationships, and I had a little devotion today about feeling useless. If I remember correctly its either Corinthians or Galatians, "be enthusiastic serving the Lord" "when the time comes for a harvest the reaping will be a blessing" something along that line. This was a big devotion in the scorching sun lol. It was a very big encouragement. I still struggle with that sometimes but we need to remember we can serve God in multiples ways, as long and we are surrendering out hearts. Praise be to the father, that watches over us and understands our hearts better than we do ;)...

..4th of July & Thoughts...

Happy 4th of July Everybody! I pray everyone keeps this nation in your prayers, we need continuous revival. I salute all those who have served, are serving, and are soon to serve. It's been a beautiful weekend even with the rain. My challenge for everyone is to sit down and just realize how much freedom we have in this country called United States of America. What's more incredible is the outstanding freedom we have in the name of Jesus. It puts everything in a new perspective.

Off to see Toy Story 3 with the family, then heading to Livewire. Those who don't know livewire is the student ministries at my Dover Advent Church! Have a great day!

Devotion and Prayer!!!

God is comforting, and faithful!!! Can I get a AMEN!...

Though times are hard, and it seems like just as you get out of a challenge, you fall into another one. There is hope. The deeper your relationship with Christ is, the easier it is to pull through..i guarantee it :).

My game plan for this week is to focus on my individual devotion harder than anything else and prepare for my three weeks of camp. Working on devotions for my cabin, and work on strengthening my confidence while applying all I learned these past three weeks.

I hope everybody is doing well, I'm kinda on the DL while I'm at home..aiming to be the least distracted from my game plan as much as I can. It's kinda nerve wracking while preparing for camp. I've never been to camp before, and obviously never been a counselor. I have faith in my king that I can do anything and here we go haha..geez i'm excited!!!

I ask you still be in prayer for my family(we are dealing with some circumstances but we are keeping the faith), and just energy to get the move on lol.

before i head into a breakweek..

These past three weeks have zoomed by like nothing else. I've met many people, and seen different smiles of the most beautiful kids. Dover week finished off well. Beachville(O'Brian, FL) and McAlphin has been going splendid. It's interesting going back to a church that is a little like the ones I grew up at. The biggest "high tech" thing they own is a laptop and projector. The kid's I have met are like no other. The humbleness, and eagarness to learn about God has been remarkable. Just to see that results in just a few days is such a praise to me. Teaching kids how to memorize verses, and how to extend their relasionship with Christ. I don't think I've met such mature elemetary school-aged kids in a long time. God is without a doubt showering over these sprouts haha! Well, tomorrow is my last day up here in Liveoak then I'm heading home for a week of devotion, sleep and family-bonding. Getting preped for 3weeks of Camp Suawnee as well will take alot of energy, so its time to get going. I'm anxious for it to start already, but I need to be patient and pray for more spiritual preperation.

Pictures will be up soon!
-Brother in Christ
Christian Keith

God Word is Comforting!!

Psalms 119:50.. My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.

It's true, Life isn't perfect. I'm excited we have a perfect friend in Jesus. It's as close as we can get. It's been getting me through a few rough spots recently. I'm going to continue to stay strong!!!

God is Amazing..

things are starting to grow and the spirit is starting to spread...things change, thoughts mature but God you remain the same!!!

VBS dover begins..

tomorrow evening, we are half-way done setting up..i'm excitied..if you knew my passion for kids, you would be too. God is has something special planned I can feel it.

I'm glad I got to share my testimony with the youth group tonight...it took alot of strength but God took that fear away ;)...Praise him who gives me the words to say, you are faithful Lord.

Had fun late night errand run with my girls niki and steph. Keep stephanie in your prayers, still having some cough/respiratory problems..and I think she is starting to loose her voice. Pray for rest and comfort!

Thanks guys!!

Unity!!!

I pray for major unity in the our team, let us focus on Christ and nothing else. Put aside all differences, and build each other up ;)...Galatians 6:2 i believe!!!

I have faith in this team and more importantly in the strength that God provides. We are a team, we are family and most importantly friends. I pray also this prayer spreads like a wildfire!!!

Camp Dixie...and moving foward!!!

This past week has been absolutly fantastic, God has been introducing to some new meanings of teamwork(unity/claming your role) and being fulling present in the spirit. As you know I was at Camp Dixie in the beautiful North Carolina. A really interesting facility!!! The main focus of the week was focusing on building our personal time in the word, team building(communication, trust, honesty and strategy), planning and a couple other suprises along the way.

During planning for the FL team, we got to sit down as a group and discuss our testimonies and our ways to witness. It's amazing how different we can be, have our own passions but still be united. I believe God has a way of bringinh people with not many things in common together its beautiful.

Some nights we got to experience walk-thrus simular to the Holy of Hollies, the final communion/the cups of passover and even the walk of the isrealites. Its hard to explain the feeling in the blog, but just to try and reenact close to the real thing was awesome.

The whole week again was just phenomenal, such friendly brothers and sisters in Christ I got to meet. I pray that I won't loose track of what I learned. I kept a little journal but left it in my car. I will post those thoughts soon.

Leaving for Dover, FL Dover AC Church VBS tomorrow afternoon for a week. Love ya all
-Christian Keith

Prayer!!

Hey brothers and sisters...would you guys please pray for me...my nerves are all over the place at the moment..just pray for focus, and calmness. Thanks :)

Well..Here We Go

Leavin my buddies here in Gainsville pretty soon...headin to stay the night in Jacksonville, then heading to North Carolina/Camp Dixie for my team building/spiritual leadership training!
God open my ears, eyes and heart in all directions, prepare me for the whatever may come my way..I'm excited to serve, and live for you heavenly father...

I won't be back online till next weekend, where I will share my experience and what God has been teaching me from N.C.

Love, Pray and Live a little bit more ;)
-Keith

great way to get it started...

Ezekiel 34:11: Thus says the Lord God: "Indeed I myself will search for my sheep and seek them out!"

How glorious, and faithful our God is, this scripture hit me hard tonight. I went to a worship/prayer service while visiting some friends here in Gainesville. (Probably one of the coolest nights of this summer without a doubt.) All I can say is the worship was incredible, the spirit was moving my body, literally..dancing, singing, shouting scripture, and praying. Seeing all ages of adults moving out of their comfort zone, into the presence of the Father.

It's been awesome to see my friends Phillip, and Dan again, and inherit some new brother Chad & Moses. They really represent what it means to be a brother in Christ..Galatians 6:2...and it's important to stand by our fellow brothers, and sisters. They've challenged me, and its exciting.

My challenge for you guys is if you have the opportunity to go beyond i'm sorry...take some time and pray, and don't let that be the end..ask God how you can go beyond and help a friend in need.

;) till the next time
-keith
PS: Shakes from Steak N Shake, as our finale..God your amazing lol..

Heading Out!!!

Well, this is the start of something new. I'm anxious to get started, but I will be patient for the Lord to work. I thought it would be cool to keep a blog, and keep you guys posted alongside this journey. To sum up exactly what I am doing, I will be taking part of the Summer Ministry Team for the Florida Conference. This is a exciting feeling, and it will be a big chance to build my ability to administer to others, especially youth(which over the past year God has started to install that passion in my heart).

The first week (June 13-18th) we will be heading to Camp Dixie(located in eastern sandhills of North Carolina. This is where the main training will take place, and I will be greatly challenged mentally, physically, emotionally and more importantly spiritually. (http://www.campdixie.com/home/index.aspx)

This is just the start as this week ends, we will head back down to Dover, FL(June 19th-26th) and McAlpin and Beachville, Florida (June 27th-July3rd) where we will join three churches in leading Vacation Bible School. Each of us will be serving in different areas.( I will inform you exactly what that will be, when it gets closer.)

I do have a week break the week of July 4th, and I will spending that time continuing my studies and spending time with family, and a few missed friends.

July 11th -31st..we will become Camp Counselors at Camp Suwanee(http://www.suwanneeconference.net/campsuwannee.html)..located on the Sthe suwannee river..near Liveoak/Lake City, FL.

This is just a little breakdown of the where a bouts I will be over the next 7 weeks. I'm so blessed, to receive this opportunity. I thank God for all he has done, and all he will do through this team. Please keep our team in your prayers..my teammates are Stephanie P, Niki P, Jordan S, Patrick P...I have a feeling this experience is gonna be like nothing else I've gone through. I will try to give a up date once or twice a week, along with pictures on Facebook or on here if I can!!!..I recently posted a quote on my status that challenges me...

If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all. -Isaiah 7:9