Hey everyone, I hope your holiday weekend is going alright.  It has been pretty relaxing for me so far.  I got to hang out with a friend last night I haven't seen since grade school, so it was exciting to get to catch up with him.  Today, I got up this morning, got into the Word and then got ready for the day.  I had lunch with my parents and aunt today, which was cool.  I haven't seen Aunt Joan in a while, so it was good to see her again.  Then, my family and I spent most of the day cleaning the house for the graduation party this saturday.  We already have all of the tables set up and everything, so that's exciting.  I then went to church at 5:00 this evening and that was nice, as always.  Right now, I am just trying to take it easy and relax.  I start work on Monday and I have 36 hours next week at Schnucks.  That is the most hours I have ever gotten in a week there, so it should be a new and exciting experience.

You know, I got to thinking about things.  In fact, I have been thinking about so many different things this past month.  I have really been thinking about my relationship with the Lord and how I feel He is bringing me closer to Him.  One thing that I am really trying to work with is surrendering to God.  I know that He wants me to not conform to worldly views but to renew my mind.  I know that if I do that, The Lord will really work in my life and give me the desires of my heart.  He is an amazing God and He is always with us.  I have also been thinking about the word "hate".  I really don't like that word.  Even when someone hurts me, and there have been some who have done that to me in the past and recently, I try not to hate them.  Honestly, I don't hate anybody.  There might be some I have trouble getting along with, but I don't hate anybody.  Hate is such a strong word and I would encourage everyone not to resort to hate, because that is such a cruel word and we don't need people being cruel to each other.  That is one thing I am sooo tired of seeing.  I think Proverb 3:30 is a good verse to go by.  I have that is this evening's list of verses.  A few days ago, I finished reading the Psalms and now I am reading the Proverbs.  I must say, these are wonderful.  "He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin" (Proverb 13:3).  That is something I will leave everyone with and I hope you can something out of that.  I am not preaching here because I have struggles of my own.  We all do, if we didn't, then we wouldn't be human.  Please, don't me or anybody you know.  I was judged so much by someone last semester and it is a shame that this person let those judgements overcome them.  That is why I am telling you now, don't let your own judgements of someone get in the way of your love for them.  That is my explanation for tonight.  Have a wonderful evening.

Psalm 147

(11) The Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.

Psalm 150

(6) Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

Proverb 3

(5) Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

(6)In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

(30) Do not accuse a man for no reason, when he has done you no harm.

Proverb 4

(23) Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

Proverb 8

(17) I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.

(35) For whoever find me finds life and receives favor from the Lord.

Proverb 11

(25) A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.

Proverb 12

(16) A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.

(20) There is deceit in the hearts of those who plot evil, but joy for those who promote peace

(25) An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind heart cheers him up.

(26) A righteous man is cautious in friendship, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

(28) In the way of righteousness, there is life; along that path is immortality.

It is week two of summer vacation and it has been somewhat relaxing.  Still trying to deal with some things and just spend time with my friends and family.  I have been doing so much thinking lately about so many things, and reading my Bible has been so wonderful.  I have been spending time with the Lord every night and it has been great.  I also like to get into the Word in the morning and afternoon.  I start working next week at Schnucks which should be good.  I can start getting into a routine, which I think will be helpful.  Today, I got to hang out with my dad.  We went and saw "Mission: Impossible III", which was cool.  I have seen it before, but my dad wanted to see it, so I figured I would go with him and see it again.  It was even better the second time.  I hope everyone is having a wonderful summer so far.  Here are some more Psalms.  Have a wonderful evening.

Psalm 100

(5) For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Psalm 101

(7) No one who practices deceit will dwell in my house.  No one who speaks falsely will stand in my presence.

Psalm 102

(25) In the beginning, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.

Psalm 107

(6) Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.

Psalm 108

(5) Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, and let your glory be all over the earth.

(6) Save us and help us with your right hand, that those you love may be delivered.

Psalm 111

(2) Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them.

(3) Glorious and majestic are his deeds, and his righteousness endures forever.

Psalm 117

(1) Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples.

(2) For great is his love toward us, and faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.

Psalm 118

(1) Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, his love endures forever.

(5) In my anguish I cried to the Lord and he answered by setting me free.

(6) The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

(8) It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.

(9) It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.

Psalm 119

(76) May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant.

Psalm 121

(1) I lift up my eyes to the hills, where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.

Psalm 125

(1) Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever.

Psalm 128

(1) Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in his ways.

(2) You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours.

(3) Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your sons will be like olive shoots around your table.

(4) Thus is the man blessed who fears the Lord.

Psalm 130

(5) I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope.

Psalm 136

(26) Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever.

Psalm 139

(14) I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

(23) Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.

Psalm 142

(5) I cry to you, O Lord, I saw "You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living".

Hey everyone, he is another update for you.  I know, I have been so much better about updating.  That is so awesome.  I hope everyone's summer has been going alright.  It has been pretty relaxing so far.  I am just hanging out with family and some wonderful friends.  I miss a lot of people from McKendree too.  I am wondering how everyone is doing, especially a certain McKendree student.  That is another story.  Anyways, I got my grades today and I must say, they were pretty good.  I did a good job this semester.  I got a C+ in Physics II, which is good because that class was really tough.  I got a B in Experimental Psychology and a B in Clinical and Counseling Psychology.  I also got an A- in Introduction to Statistics Software and an A in Child and Adolescent Psychology.  The teacher for Child and Adolescent Psychology is really tough and doesn't give many A's at all, so that was really exciting for me.  I got a 110% overall in that class, which was even more exciting.  My semester GPA was a 3.136 and my GPA for my college career overall was a 3.208, so I finished college on a good note.  I have also been continuing to get closer to the Lord, which has been wonderful for me.  I have some more really good Bible verses from Psalms that I would like to share with you.  Here they are.  I hope you enjoy them and I hope they have an impact on you too.

Psalm 62

(1) My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him

(2) He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.

(7) My salvation and my honor depend on God, he is my might rock, my refuge.

(8) Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.

Psalm 68

(19) Praise be to the Lord, to God our savior who daily bears our burdens.

Psalm 69

(29) I am in pain and distress; may your salvation, O God, protect me.

Psalm 72

(17) May his name endure forever; may it continue as long as the sun. All nations will be blessed through him, and they will call him blessed.

(18) Praise be to the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds.

(19) Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory.  Amen and Amen.

Psalm 73

(26) My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Psalm 79

(9) Help us, O God our Savior, for the glory of your name.  Deliver us and forgive our sins for your name's sake.

Psalm 80

(3) Restore us, O God; make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved.

Psalm 84

(12) O Lord Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you.

Psalm 85

(10) Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other

(11) Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven.

Psalm 91

(1) He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the almighty.

(2) I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in who I trust".

(14) "Because he loves me" says the Lord, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name

(15) He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.

(16) With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation."

Psalm 92

(15) The Lord is upright; he is my rock, and there is no wickedness in him.

Psalm 94

(18) When I said, "My foot is slipping", your love, O Lord, supported me.

(19) When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.

Have a wonderful evening!!!!

Hey everyone, well I officially graduated from college.  We had the Commencement ceremony on Saturday and it went very well.  It was very nice and my family came to see it too.  I got many pictures with my close McKendree friends, so that was nice.  After the ceremony, my family and I went to lunch at Lone Star and then got everything out of my apartment.  Now I am at home and it has been relaxing the past two days.

"There is hope for the helpless, rest for the weary and love for the broken heart"              --Third Day "Cry Out to Jesus"

The quote from the song above relates to me quite well right now.  As of right now, I am still picking up the pieces of my broken heart.  Along with everything with school and graduation, I have been going through a rough time.  It is tough when someone you love so deary breaks your heart and I have been feeling so many emotions lately.  I pray to the Lord for healing and for His will to be done in my life.  I am getting closer to the Lord and He is helping me through it.  I am trying to work through these struggles of emotions that I have.  I have been reading Psalms in the morning, afternoon and evening and at night, I like to make some time for the Lord.  In the afternoon is when I write in my notebook some quotes from Psalms that impact me the most.  Here is a list of what I have so far.

Psalm 37

Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.   Psalm 37:4

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him.   Psalm 37:7

Refrain from anger and turn from wrath, do not fret, it leads only to evil.   Psalm 37:8

Those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.   Psalm 37:9

The righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever.   Psalm 37:29

Psalm 40

I waited patiently for the Lord, he turned to me and heard my cry.   Psalm 40:1

He lifted me out of my slimy pit, out of the mud and mire, he set my feet on a rock and gave a firm place to stand.   Psalm 40:2

Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust.   Psalm 40:4

May all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you.   Psalm 40:16

Yet I am poor and needy, may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer, O my God, do not delay.   Psalm 40:17

Psalm 41

Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the Lord delivers him in times of trouble, The Lord will protect him and preserve his life.   Psalm 41:1-2

Psalm 55

Cast your cares on the Lord, and he will sustain you. He will never let the righteous fall.   Psalm 55:22

Psalm 56

When I am afraid, I will trust in you.   Psalm 56:3

In God, whose word I praise, In God I trust, I will not be afraid.   Psalm 56:4

This is something I am wanting to do everyday this summer.  I hope to keep updating on here what is in my notebook too.  Also, I plan on hanging out with friends, working at some job, not sure right now if I want to work at Hollywood Video or Schnucks again.  I will go where the Lord leads me.  Then on September 26, I will be going over to Cincinnati Ohio for the Health Care Program.  More on that later.  I hope to write more on here this summer now that I have more time, I apologize that I took so long.  Please keep me in your prayers and I will keep you in my prayers always.  I love you all and have a wonderful evening.