Ray

There is a boy in my P.E. class who has a disorder that causes him to jerk uncontrollably every now and then. It might be cerebral palsy. But I just would ask that you lift him up in your prayers. He is very skilled and can play well in most of the sports. But I have really been struggling with talking to him about the Lord and the gospel, so if you could pray for me, that God would give me the strength and guidance to talk to him. Also, just pray that God would create a miracle in him. I know that it is possible. If you would pass this on to others: to pray for Ray, for a miracle, I would really appreciate it. I am thankful that God has put Ray into my class, so that  I could share with him. Thank you.

Spelling Story!

So today I was supposed to create spelling sentences with the spelling words I was given, and this is what I created instead. [I had no idea what I would discover when I wrote this, believe it or not] [Also, the spelling words are underlined]

Spelling Story

The guardian of the fortress of Qu stood resolutely at the bronze gate. As was his tendency, he began to pass back and forth in front of the gate, until he suddenly lurched forward with an arrow in his back. A solitary figure, dressed in black and gold, dropped silently from a nearby tree, and knelt beside the man as if he was attempting to resurrect him. With a quick glance behind him, the figure gave a leap or two and scaled the towering bronze gate with a speed that would have driven the guardian hysterical. As was his custom, he dropped to the ground with the perpetual silence of a panther. Facing three tunnels, he took the logical course and favored the middle tunnel which rapidly grew into a wide hall with a cathedral ceiling. A trumpet blared and ten guards rushed in, while the servants stood in the shadows lest the guards have need of assistance. After rolling 2 or 3 nearby barrels at the menacing guards, the figure took possession of a sword lying upon a cushion. With immense self-control he stood perfectly still, waiting for the guards that never charged. Instead another man entered the room dressed for battle; all eyes focused on this particular man as he drew his massive battle-sword and advanced. With a roar the man charged and the sounds of metal upon metal resounded throughout the hall. When the man flashed a heavy angular stroke, the figure blocked and twisted away only to trip over a shield and end up lying on the floor with a metal point on his neck. Clearly the conqueror, the man ordered his guards to drag away the prisoner to the dungeon. At the same time two heavy oak doors opened, admitting the king whose piercing gaze swept across the hall taking in everything: the broken statues, torn rugs, shattered portraits, and the guards, his son, and the prisoner. Eyes narrowed, the king had opened his mouth to incur upon the prisoner some horrible torture, when the other man, obviously his son, stepped forward and gave up his magnificient sword to the king, his father, as payment for the prisoner's life. You can ask the prisoner, today, what happened, and he will tell you the most unforgettable truth.

 And as I read this to my family I began making applications to the Christian life that I hadn't realized. For instance, in the beginning the figure (symbolizing us [the sinner]) creates a major offense, murder. And then the figure kneels next to the guardian, symbolizing our guilt when we know that we have sinned. And the figure traversing the halls symbolizes the Christian walk of faith. When the figure fights the son, it symbolizes our rebellion in pride against His holiness and perfection. When the king begins to curse the figure with torture, we see a symbol of what we as sinners deserve. And when the son interrupts the king giving up his perfection in exchange for what we look like without perfection, we see a symbol of Jesus' perfect sacrifice for our sin. Also the idea of a prince giving up his sword to his father in payment for the prisoner's life, was extremely similar to Jesus giving His perfection [except to us] in exchange for our eternal share in the glory of God in heaven. Now if you ask a Christian he should be able to tell you the most thrilling story of failure, trials, belief, redemption. And if the story of Jesus Christ doesn't leave you moved then I don't know what will. May you go on with your day with the story of our Savior resounding in our head.

Busy Times!

This school year seems a little busier, probably because we're doing a lot more with other school groups and other homeschool programs. We are doing "Speech & Debate" by Timothy Ma with HSFM. We are also doing P.E. with HSFM. That is going really well. I am enjoying making new friends among the boys in my class. Not to mention that I am almost always looking UP to them seeing as how I am the shortest guy on the team. But I am really enjoying just hanging out with these TALL boys. And I am also doing a book club with the Irvine homeschool group that the Pyles go to. That is really fun. I am enjoying meeting a bunch of new friends. And I am taking piano lessons from a new teacher who lives in our neighborhood. And although that may not seem like much I have something on almost every day. But I am rejoicing in the fact that I have been given yet more opportunities to witness the gospel to others. I would ask for prayer to see opportune times and use them for His glory.

My Blog Title

I have chosen the title "Diligent Disciple" as a reminder of my first duty to Him. I want to be surrounded by reminders of what He deserves. So for whoever follows me, do something for me, please. If I let one single blog post go by without mentioning the gospel or Him, please comment and remind me of my commitment. I will not be offended, but rather I will be grateful for your reminder. Thank you.