But God..

- "you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good" Genesis 50:20
- "my flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever" Psalm 73:26
- "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful" 1 Corinthians 10:13
- "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" Romans 5:8
- "But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ" Ephesians 2:4-5



there was a student today during devotions time that kept asking really good questions. Sometimes i am just reminded that the Gospel isn't about having to do a bunch of stuff to earn God's love and acceptance.  Sometimes i get so down thinking i don't do enough. I dont read my bible or pray enough. And then im reminded that God loves me anyway, regardless. And even if i did a bunch of good works, that doesn't make God love me any more or any less. Even if i sucked and wasted the rest of my life, God's grace would still embrace me. Sometimes i forget how much God loves me. Even when i don't sense him, even when i feel down, even when life seems crazy.. God is still sovereign, holy, perfect, faithful and good. He is love. And i forget how awesome he is.

I started going to a new church called grace bible church. There's over a thousand something young adults. Ive never seen so many young people worshiping God passionately during worship. It's like a big party, with people seeking to walk closer to God. And even if im the new guy, i think God is drawing me to invest my life with these people. I know what hurt, pain and loneliness is like. I want to be able to reach out and help those who are struggling. But first i think God wants me to make sure im spiritually healthy first. There's these "grace groups" where it's jus 6 other ppl of your gender where you meet and hangout once a week. I think i could really use some solid christian brothers. The christian life is impossible without true friends.

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jus finished the series finale of HIMYM. There we're some unexpected twist. but it felt right. i called it a long time ago. Anyways i dont wanna ruin it. But it made me think a lot about friendships. ppl pursue different careers, start a family or move away as you get older. It seems like most of my friends all took off in different directions.It makes me reminisce times of laughter, or jus hanging out enjoying youth.

Towards the end of himym, they realized that they can't jus hangout and do stupid things anymore. They have other important responsibilities in life. Im afraid of friendships just fading away. Who really just wants to spend their life working? What happens when years fly by like days. For some reason i believe true friendships can endure even the most difficult of trials.

I think himym captured a part of friendships that was realistic. Things don't always go well. There's pain, conflict, heartache, and tears with close friendships. Sometimes friendships aren't as easy to maintain and people grow apart. But even after years of not talking, sometimes friends can still be friends without hanging out often.