No doubt

You know, there were times during the summer when I was worried about transfering to CSU. Like I really would question myself thinking "Is this really where I want to be at?" The hardest thing to do was when I dropped my last class at USC and it said "Are you sure you want to drop this class because if you do you officially withdraw from the University of South Carolina?" For about 5 mins I stared at that screen thinking to myself is this really what I want to do. But then I realized it is what I have to do. I may not have wanted to but it was something that I had to do to be in the will of God. Often times the things that God wants us to do is what we may not want to do because we often have to give up things that we think are important to us. But God has to see if we are truly devoted to him and that we are willing to give up anything. I spent this summer giving up many things, things I though that I would never give up but I realize now that it had to be done.

To be honest with you not once have I questioned leaving USC while being here at CSU. It is like God intended me to be here after all, and I think that is why this transition has been so smooth. It is a great thing to have good Christian friends and a decent Christian atmosphere here at CSU. I am expecting that God is going to open more doors for me, as He already has been. I have been doing my part in walking through those doors, and I can def. tell that God is working. It is a great feeling. That is why with confidence I can say no doubt I am supposed to be here!

Big Ron

Why does God have you where you are

Do you ever wonder why God has you place where you are in your life? I know that sometimes I do. I often ponder the reasons why I am in Charleston, because I know that I alone would not have made the decision to move here and change schools. God gave me just enough to come here, and I have had many words spoken over me why it is necessary for me to be here, but I do wonder when all of the promises that have been made will come through. Now I do realize that I also have to meet God somewhere in the middle. There are many times when I pray for the direction that I need to be moving in to meet God. There are so many opportunities here in Charleston, and I just hope that the path I take is the one that will lead me closest to God. When I talk with others about things that they are facing I tell them that the most important thing is to keep God first, because if you do then you will not go wrong. So this is the time when I need to take my own advice and keep God first. I have given up things that would hinder me, and also left friends behind that can slow this process down, only to still feel like I am struggling. I know in the end that it will be fine, but sometimes the process is painful. It was shown to me a couple of weeks ago that this period of my life that I am entering will bring new struggles that I have not faced to this point in my life, and that there will be great tests. Some of these things are starting to be revealed to me, but the big picture is still not there. I know that these are just stepping stones to the major test that is coming. Posting helps me a lot, it allows me to get all of these thoughts out, and helps piece them together.

I know I have to be here, but for what I am not entirely certain as of yet. I have given up things that I would have myself pursue and taken up the things that God wants me to pursue. I know that there are people who believe that I am crazy, most of them are not believers in Christ, but its okay. One day they too will realize. Tomorrow I begin the search back at my grassroots. I will be attending a Methodist church for the first time in about five years in my own free will. I have moved away from it, but I believe that God may be calling me back and maybe bring a change to the lifestyles of some people. I know that God can def. use me there; I realize this after previously thinking that he couldn't. This could be the first part of my test. I am definately not turning away from it. I will be bringing that same passion and fire that I have with me, and that may be the second part of the first test being that God needs to see that I can keep my passion and fire in the most unlikely places that I have believed that I would not be able to take it. Will this be test number one, I honestly do not know, but I will soon find out.

Love you guys,

Big Ron

Do You Ever Wonder

So as you guys know if you read my blog, there are so many things that go on in my head. I think about alot, actually sometimes I just zone in and start processing things and forget about where I am at times. Like I will be at work, working physically, but I will also be reflecting and pondering at the same time. It is hard to describe but thats ok.

One thing I think about often is friends. Like I wonder, sometimes why I have the friends I have. Throughout Highschool my best friends were not Christians. It's that plain and simple. I often wonder what if they were, because I know they would be some jam up Christians. We choose our friends based on qualities that they have that are similar to the ones that we have. So I wonder how can they have the same qualities as me but not be Christians? That is why I say they would be great Christians. Still today they are so loyal, don't talk bad about me, and are supportive. I don't know what I would do without my best friend. He supported me with the change in school, even making the comment "Ron, I want to see what the real Pastor Ron is going to look like." That meant a lot to me, even if he did not realize it.

I have been having this feeling in my spirit. Like something big is about to happen. I don't know what it is, I do have some ideas, but only time will tell. I love this feeling though, even though I can't really express it. I can only think of those words spoken over me at the youth conference, and I am excited about it. Let's go! Get pumped! It's time for leaders in God's army to arise.

So much is going through my head right now. I move in at CSU on Tuesday. I am super stoked, ready to see how God is going to use me while I am there. I am going to be leading a Bible Study, which is going to be good. I am also thinking about joining the Christian Frat there. So much to think about, so little time. That is all for now

love you guys,

Big Ron

Revolution Youth Conference

Okay, so I just got back from the Revolution Youth Conference in Greenville South Carolina, and it was amazing. You know that feeling I had in my spirit in the last blog I wrote, well that was confirmed with the great times at the conference. So many powerful things happened. One of the biggest being this preacher who preached on Thursday night was insane. At the end of his sermon he started calling people out from the crowd. You could def. feel the Holy Spirit in the air. Then when those people came near him, the Spirit was flowing off of him and into those near him. Everyone of them fell out in the spirit. It was insane! Little kids, old people, and teenagers; all of which fell out. He brought this had to be 9 year old up there and said "repeat after me: God if this is real, let me feel your spirit" the kid repeated and fell out! It was great seeing God move in this way.

The most important thing to me was the word that I received from Pastor Tim from Redemption World Outreach Center. During a youth pastors meeting we had a time of worship and prayer at the end, and he went around laying hands on everyone in the room. When He got to me, he just took a deep breath, started speaking in tongues, and finally looked at me and told me an insane word. I was told that God had me where I am for a reason, and that I need to keep pursuing him. He also told me that the new level that I wanted in my relationship with Christ was closer than I thought, and that God is about to be putting me through a series to tests to call me to truely serve him. He told me that those tests can lasts for months, years, or even a decade; it just depeneding on if I could pass the tests. He said that God was putting a fresh and new word into my heart, and that great things are coming soon. He said that a big opportunity is coming, and that I have to be careful not to miss it. The last thing he said to me was that during the tests that I will hit a plateau in my relationship with him, but if I weather it, God will promote me.

This trip really lit my fire, excited me, and I am ready for the move to Charleston, where God has placed me to be.

Oh yeah a side note:

I miss all of my salkehatchie friends. I wish they all lived with me here in gtown, but thats why we have our family reunion every year in andrews. Most of all I miss my new favorite person Katie Holden, who I really enjoyed having on my site and getting to know. I miss you kid!

love you guys,

Big Ron

That Feeling In your Spirit

Have you ever had that feeling in your spirit that is so hard to describe? Like it is so joyful and feels so good, that it makes everything around you seem the same? I have been feeling like this for some time lately. I think it is due to this youth trip we are about to take to Redemption World Outreach in Greenville for the Revolution youth conference. I feel that this is the trip that we as a youth group have been needing to push us over this hump that we have been experiencing for some time. Another reason is because I will get to see the girl who honestly makes my life better; and just thinking about being able to see her if only for a few mins. makes me happy. We are nothing more than friends, but it is hard to ask for it to be any other way.

This conference is going to be great. I am expecting the Holy Spirit, to show up and do mighty works. It is hard to explain how I feel when that power comes over me. I pray that I am prepared to allow God to move in many ways in my life, and to take me to a new level. Spiritually I have never been at a higher level than this, but God has been preparing me to step forward and to move into this next one. I welcome new challenges that are coming my way, and I know that with God I will push through them.

With each level comes more challenges, and stuggles that physically we do not want to go through, but spiritually we need to, allowing us to grow closer with God. My life has been full of these. Everything that I have gone through has been there to prepare me for later things, most of which become revealed after the fact. I am fine with this, it is better that it happens this way.

To those who read my blogs, thank you. It means a lot knowing that people care about my thoughts, and through reading this you may better be able to understand the man that few truly know.

Big Ron