i know that no one reads this... probably because i never write in it... but just in case, please pray for me this week as i will be in india! school missions trip... real last minute.
so yeah, please pray for me! and go see the dark knight! 'cause it's real good.
-ms-
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Thursday, June 19, 2008
top 6 (most recent) emotionally stimulating songs
1) you and i -- future of forestry
2) aluminum union -- strike anywhere
3) the crowing -- coheed and cambria
4) gone gone gone -- the gravity show
5) killing in the name -- rage against the machine
6) grave -- nodes of ranvier
listen to these songs. they're awesome.
2) aluminum union -- strike anywhere
3) the crowing -- coheed and cambria
4) gone gone gone -- the gravity show
5) killing in the name -- rage against the machine
6) grave -- nodes of ranvier
listen to these songs. they're awesome.
Friday, April 4, 2008
truth be told...
this has been one of those weeks where God has had a lot to say to me and a lot to teach me. i have been doing a lot of thinking and praying lately about my relationship with Jesus and my devotion to holiness. the closer i come to knowing Him the more i come to realize how little i know Him. it is like walking towards your shadow with a bright light behind you. at first it may seem like each step you take brings you closer but it keeps getting larger and larger and further and further away. it is important to understand that all analogies are (by definition) flawed and this one is no exception, it just helps me kind of understand it. the more progress i make in knowing Jesus and the more i develop my relationship with Him the more i come to understand how little i know of Him. also, the more i come to know Him the more i come to see how full of wickedness and evil i am. lately the Holy Spirit has been convicting me of the things i spend my time on and the excuses i make for sin in my life. it's so easy when you are in sin to rationalize and justify your actions but the closer you come to the truth that is Christ you find yourself completely at a loss for excuses.
today in chapel we had Cody Pelham share the Word with us today. it is so refreshing to sit in a service where Scripture is presented faithfully and given room to speak on its own. Mr. Pelham was fantastically faithful to read to us the Word of God and allow it to minister to us itself. as he spoke i could understand in the Scripture the journey of revelation that God has been leading me through.
he started in Jeremiah 2:13 which says "My people have committed two sins: they have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water..." in this chapter, God is speaking through Jeremiah in "the hearing" of the city of Jerusalem, and He is recounting how Israel has forsaken Him. the story of the early nation of Israel is replete with failure and sin and wickedness. it is interesting to note that of all the things that the nation has done that were evil, God boils down the failures into "two sins." there are two things that have been done by this people. they have "forsaken me," and they have "dug their own cisterns." what it all comes down to in the sin of the nation of israel is this... they have turned away from God and sought their satisfaction elsewhere. everything they have done that was wicked was a direct result of those two sins.
mr. Pelham went on to share a New Testament example of this scenario for us. the picture he used was that of Jesus and the samaritan woman in John 4. here Jesus begins a dialogue with this woman and talks about "living water." eventually when he comes to the climax of his conversation with this woman he declares to her the situation in which she has been living. she has been married 5 times and is currently living in sin with someone who is not her husband. this woman has dug for herself her own cistern and she has sought to fill it again and again but for some reason, it will not hold any water for her. it drains and she moves on to fill it again somewhere else. Jesus identifies this problem of hers and speaks to her heart. in verse 25 she believes in the Messiah who is coming and who will make things clear to them and in verse 26 Jesus offers her the answer to her problems when he says "I who speak to you am he." what an overwhelming statement.
these stories reflect the struggles of my own heart. how i have rejected God and dug my own cisterns and sought to have them full but how they constantly let me down. as i have come closer to Christ (by His grace in drawing me to Himself) i have begun to fill my broken cistern with His living water. now i have been convicted by the Holy Spirit and it is my duty to repair the broken cistern so that i will be able to retain the water that Jesus pours into my life.
i am not sure i even understand anything that i just wrote but God is working in my heart and in my mind. i hope that maybe this made sense to some of you. hopefully i will come to understand it better myself soon. be blessed my friends.
marksantistevan.
today in chapel we had Cody Pelham share the Word with us today. it is so refreshing to sit in a service where Scripture is presented faithfully and given room to speak on its own. Mr. Pelham was fantastically faithful to read to us the Word of God and allow it to minister to us itself. as he spoke i could understand in the Scripture the journey of revelation that God has been leading me through.
he started in Jeremiah 2:13 which says "My people have committed two sins: they have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water..." in this chapter, God is speaking through Jeremiah in "the hearing" of the city of Jerusalem, and He is recounting how Israel has forsaken Him. the story of the early nation of Israel is replete with failure and sin and wickedness. it is interesting to note that of all the things that the nation has done that were evil, God boils down the failures into "two sins." there are two things that have been done by this people. they have "forsaken me," and they have "dug their own cisterns." what it all comes down to in the sin of the nation of israel is this... they have turned away from God and sought their satisfaction elsewhere. everything they have done that was wicked was a direct result of those two sins.
mr. Pelham went on to share a New Testament example of this scenario for us. the picture he used was that of Jesus and the samaritan woman in John 4. here Jesus begins a dialogue with this woman and talks about "living water." eventually when he comes to the climax of his conversation with this woman he declares to her the situation in which she has been living. she has been married 5 times and is currently living in sin with someone who is not her husband. this woman has dug for herself her own cistern and she has sought to fill it again and again but for some reason, it will not hold any water for her. it drains and she moves on to fill it again somewhere else. Jesus identifies this problem of hers and speaks to her heart. in verse 25 she believes in the Messiah who is coming and who will make things clear to them and in verse 26 Jesus offers her the answer to her problems when he says "I who speak to you am he." what an overwhelming statement.
these stories reflect the struggles of my own heart. how i have rejected God and dug my own cisterns and sought to have them full but how they constantly let me down. as i have come closer to Christ (by His grace in drawing me to Himself) i have begun to fill my broken cistern with His living water. now i have been convicted by the Holy Spirit and it is my duty to repair the broken cistern so that i will be able to retain the water that Jesus pours into my life.
i am not sure i even understand anything that i just wrote but God is working in my heart and in my mind. i hope that maybe this made sense to some of you. hopefully i will come to understand it better myself soon. be blessed my friends.
marksantistevan.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
brainerd reflection 1 - preface:profile.
sorry i haven't posted in a while (although i doubt there are very many people who actually read this or miss it [hi mom]), i've been trying to think of profound things to say on here but i'm not really coming up with much.
God has been pouring into my life a lot lately and i haven't been doing much other than taking it in and being grateful. it's hard to explain in much detail the things i've been learning or understanding because i haven't finished learning or understanding them yet. anyways, i'll get to that stuff later.
i figured the best thing to do would be to write down some thoughts on a book i've been reading. these posts are purely selfish and just help me to organize and understand. if you think it's interesting or insightful you should get and read the book because it's awesome.
one of the most difficult things for me in reading is that i often read too much at a time and don't give my brain enough time to process it. hopefully these posts will help me with that. lately i've been reading the the life and diary of David Brainerd edited by Jonathan Edwards. both of these men are heroes of mine in discipline, insight, passion, and writing. i've gotten through the first section of the diary but today i just want to reflect on the preface which is the section written by Edwards.
David Brainerd (1718-1747) was a puritan missionary to the native americans. his diary expresses some fantastic insights into his spiritual journey and his understanding of true religion and relationship with God. it is fascinating and deeply inspiring to me.
Edwards begins by saying "there are two ways of representing and recommending true religion and virtue to the world; the one, by doctrine and precept; the other, by instance and example." he goes on to explain that both of these are used extensively in Scripture. within Scripture the grounds, nature, design, and importance of religion are clearly visible in the docrines, but we also have many outstanding examples of religion (both "power and practice") in the old and new testaments. in David Brainerd we are given yet another demonstration of this second principle.
there are two issues that become clearly evident as flaws in the person of David Brainerd. oh how i wish i could relate to these instead of their opposite extremes! first, he was "by his constitution, and natural temper, so prone to melancholy and dejection of spirit." he was, as is evident in the pages that follow, a very depressed person. most often his depression was based on his disgust with his own wickedness and lack of passion for holiness. second, "was his being excessive in his labors, not taking due care in proportion to his fatigues to his strength." he worked himself beyond what his body was capable of. he was constantly falling ill due to fatigue and this was certainly one of the primary reasons for his death at the age of 29!
immediately hearing these things i am inspired. were someone to list the faults that i have they could probably fill this entire book just on naming them. the descriptions could fill an encyclopedia. we could name it "human nature britannica" and have 26 volumes, one for each letter of the alphabet. but all that Edwards could find to list for David Brainerd is that he was so zealous for purity and holiness that he was utterly depressed at his own wickedness and this drove him ill. also that he was so passionate for the name of Christ to be made known he worked far beyond what his body could handle. amazing.
well, i am tired and it's dinnertime. hopefully you are blessed. i will proceed with these posts later. be blessed.
marks.
God has been pouring into my life a lot lately and i haven't been doing much other than taking it in and being grateful. it's hard to explain in much detail the things i've been learning or understanding because i haven't finished learning or understanding them yet. anyways, i'll get to that stuff later.
i figured the best thing to do would be to write down some thoughts on a book i've been reading. these posts are purely selfish and just help me to organize and understand. if you think it's interesting or insightful you should get and read the book because it's awesome.
one of the most difficult things for me in reading is that i often read too much at a time and don't give my brain enough time to process it. hopefully these posts will help me with that. lately i've been reading the the life and diary of David Brainerd edited by Jonathan Edwards. both of these men are heroes of mine in discipline, insight, passion, and writing. i've gotten through the first section of the diary but today i just want to reflect on the preface which is the section written by Edwards.
David Brainerd (1718-1747) was a puritan missionary to the native americans. his diary expresses some fantastic insights into his spiritual journey and his understanding of true religion and relationship with God. it is fascinating and deeply inspiring to me.
Edwards begins by saying "there are two ways of representing and recommending true religion and virtue to the world; the one, by doctrine and precept; the other, by instance and example." he goes on to explain that both of these are used extensively in Scripture. within Scripture the grounds, nature, design, and importance of religion are clearly visible in the docrines, but we also have many outstanding examples of religion (both "power and practice") in the old and new testaments. in David Brainerd we are given yet another demonstration of this second principle.
there are two issues that become clearly evident as flaws in the person of David Brainerd. oh how i wish i could relate to these instead of their opposite extremes! first, he was "by his constitution, and natural temper, so prone to melancholy and dejection of spirit." he was, as is evident in the pages that follow, a very depressed person. most often his depression was based on his disgust with his own wickedness and lack of passion for holiness. second, "was his being excessive in his labors, not taking due care in proportion to his fatigues to his strength." he worked himself beyond what his body was capable of. he was constantly falling ill due to fatigue and this was certainly one of the primary reasons for his death at the age of 29!
immediately hearing these things i am inspired. were someone to list the faults that i have they could probably fill this entire book just on naming them. the descriptions could fill an encyclopedia. we could name it "human nature britannica" and have 26 volumes, one for each letter of the alphabet. but all that Edwards could find to list for David Brainerd is that he was so zealous for purity and holiness that he was utterly depressed at his own wickedness and this drove him ill. also that he was so passionate for the name of Christ to be made known he worked far beyond what his body could handle. amazing.
well, i am tired and it's dinnertime. hopefully you are blessed. i will proceed with these posts later. be blessed.
marks.
Friday, February 22, 2008
into the desert.
there was a boy who grew up in a small canadian town. as part of a tightly-knit, working-class german subculture, his family taught him early to believe in work - it's necessity, its moral value, and its rewards. leisure and rest were rarely mentioned or modeled. the boy came to view all of life through the window of work. everything, including his self-image, derived its worth from its relationship to work. "working for God" became the premise that shaped his spiritual life. believing that God was always asking him to do more by way of service, his lifestyle became one of highly extroverted, Christian activism. he evaluated spiritual success in terms of quantity of work and productivity - the only criteria he knew.
years passed. "workaholism" remained the reigning pattern of his life. during graduate studies, an interest in Christian history led him to explore Christian origins in the middle east. a series of dialogues with monks who lived in the deserts of egypt and israel arrested him. he was intrigued by the motivations of a particular monk who had lived on the side of the mount of temptation outside of jericho for over forty years. amused by the monks eccentricity and convinced of the irrelevance of his life, the young man engaged the monk in dialogue. he asked, "how does your life fulfill the great commission?" with equal directness, the monk retorted, "how do you follow Jesus into the desert?"
elements of a Christian worldview, compiled and edited by michael d. palmer, general editor stanley m. horton.
how do we follow Jesus into the desert?
marksantistevan.
years passed. "workaholism" remained the reigning pattern of his life. during graduate studies, an interest in Christian history led him to explore Christian origins in the middle east. a series of dialogues with monks who lived in the deserts of egypt and israel arrested him. he was intrigued by the motivations of a particular monk who had lived on the side of the mount of temptation outside of jericho for over forty years. amused by the monks eccentricity and convinced of the irrelevance of his life, the young man engaged the monk in dialogue. he asked, "how does your life fulfill the great commission?" with equal directness, the monk retorted, "how do you follow Jesus into the desert?"
elements of a Christian worldview, compiled and edited by michael d. palmer, general editor stanley m. horton.
how do we follow Jesus into the desert?
marksantistevan.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
an ocean between us.
last week or so i purchased as i lay dying's latest album an ocean between us. i have always liked aild's music for a more easy-listening heavy metal sound. they've never really impressed me with excessive creativity or ground-breaking material but they've consistently put solid metal albums together that satisfactorily scratched my itch for heavy distortion, double-bass pedals, grunge vocals (if you can call it vocals), and loads of energy.
an ocean between us did not deviate from this simple message of pure metal. once again a solid expression of heaviness that i can listen to while i drive or whatever. there isn't a whole lot there to sit down and pick apart with critical listening, nothing creative whatsoever in fact. there isn't really anything to complain though. aild did not disappoint or change course at all. there is more of what the current music industrial paradigm would classify as "singing" in this album, which adds a more melodic theme to some of the songs while keeping the energy which i thought was cool.
comparing it with their past two albums i think that an ocean between us is a little bit more musically advanced and talented than frail words collapse but moves on to a less pure, less youthful, less rebellious sound (which gives this genre its beauty) and onto a more sophisticated and refined sound (which is good as well, it's all in what you prefer). shadows are security was my companion for a long time and so i have a personal bias towards it as the best. it is my favorite but an ocean between us did not deviate far from that sound. all three are very similar, but still, some of the best in their style.
so, if you're looking for another easy-listening solid metal album, look no further than an ocean between us. whenever i just feel like putting on some heaviness while i do something, not really paying a whole lot of attention to what i'm hearing as i lay dying is the band (does that sound like an odd compliment? these bands are necessary! and aild IS good!). haste the day or killswitch engage or war of ages also fit that mold well. each one is a little different but good.
anyways, check out an ocean between us if you like that stuff. or even if you don't. 'cause it's good.
blessings.
marks.
an ocean between us did not deviate from this simple message of pure metal. once again a solid expression of heaviness that i can listen to while i drive or whatever. there isn't a whole lot there to sit down and pick apart with critical listening, nothing creative whatsoever in fact. there isn't really anything to complain though. aild did not disappoint or change course at all. there is more of what the current music industrial paradigm would classify as "singing" in this album, which adds a more melodic theme to some of the songs while keeping the energy which i thought was cool.
comparing it with their past two albums i think that an ocean between us is a little bit more musically advanced and talented than frail words collapse but moves on to a less pure, less youthful, less rebellious sound (which gives this genre its beauty) and onto a more sophisticated and refined sound (which is good as well, it's all in what you prefer). shadows are security was my companion for a long time and so i have a personal bias towards it as the best. it is my favorite but an ocean between us did not deviate far from that sound. all three are very similar, but still, some of the best in their style.
so, if you're looking for another easy-listening solid metal album, look no further than an ocean between us. whenever i just feel like putting on some heaviness while i do something, not really paying a whole lot of attention to what i'm hearing as i lay dying is the band (does that sound like an odd compliment? these bands are necessary! and aild IS good!). haste the day or killswitch engage or war of ages also fit that mold well. each one is a little different but good.
anyways, check out an ocean between us if you like that stuff. or even if you don't. 'cause it's good.
blessings.
marks.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
why do i not weep every time i take communion?
this morning i had communion at spring valley christian church. communion has always been a regular part of my church-going life but for some reason i was struck today with some interesting and sobering thoughts...
why is it that i do not weep every time i take communion? i don't mean loud, attention attracting crying (soren kierkegaard said that anyone whose tongue runs easily over the course of their own troubles has not tasted true suffering [training in Christianity], meaning, people who talk and talk about all their problems don't really know what it is like to truly suffer; i think he's right. that doesn't really have much to do with this post... my bad.), but expressing the heart-broken emotion in sincere and quiet weeping. has the essence of communion become so trivialized in our mindset that it no longer affects us when we do it? should not i walk away from each of these experiences where i recall the pool of blood beneath the cross and the cries of agony from Christ as he is beaten and disgraced by his own creation... different? i mean... what the crap? so there's a once a month schedule where the church, in its typical weekly gathering, will go out of its way to pull out some grape juice, break up some crackers and put it all in some elaborate dish so we can remember the very essence and center of all that brings us together?!
something is awry.
maybe something is just wrong with me and not everyone feels this way. thoughts anyone? differing opinions? help me out here.
marksantistevan.
why is it that i do not weep every time i take communion? i don't mean loud, attention attracting crying (soren kierkegaard said that anyone whose tongue runs easily over the course of their own troubles has not tasted true suffering [training in Christianity], meaning, people who talk and talk about all their problems don't really know what it is like to truly suffer; i think he's right. that doesn't really have much to do with this post... my bad.), but expressing the heart-broken emotion in sincere and quiet weeping. has the essence of communion become so trivialized in our mindset that it no longer affects us when we do it? should not i walk away from each of these experiences where i recall the pool of blood beneath the cross and the cries of agony from Christ as he is beaten and disgraced by his own creation... different? i mean... what the crap? so there's a once a month schedule where the church, in its typical weekly gathering, will go out of its way to pull out some grape juice, break up some crackers and put it all in some elaborate dish so we can remember the very essence and center of all that brings us together?!
something is awry.
maybe something is just wrong with me and not everyone feels this way. thoughts anyone? differing opinions? help me out here.
marksantistevan.
Monday, January 21, 2008
today we all are called to be disciples.
yesterday i went to westminster presbyterian church... *gasp* "mark, how could you?!" i know, i'm a faithless miscreant whose loyalty is ridiculously given to the cross instead of a denomination but i hope you will accept me...
anyway, this week we went to the traditional service (which i found to be much more interesting than the contemporary service that we went to last week... can someone enlighten me as to the purpose for a contemporary presbyterian service?) and there were a lot of interesting differences between their service and ours (ours being an a/g service as i am used to). both have many things i like and dislike and many things i find helpful and many things i find distracting. this post isn't going to go into all that stuff though, instead, there was a specific hymn that stood out to me that i wanted to write down and talk about.
the hymn was called "today we all are called to be disciples."
today we are called to be disciples of the Lord,
to help to set the captives free, to make plow-share out of sword.
to feed the hungry, quench their thirst, make love and peace our fast,
to serve the poor and homeless first, our ease and comfort last.
God made the world and at its birth ordained our human race,
to live as stewards of the earth, responding to God's grace.
but we are vain and sadly proud, we sow not peace but strife,
our discord spreads a deadly cloud that threatens all of life.
pray justice may come rolling down as in a mighty stream,
with righteousness in field and town to cleanse us and redeem.
for God is longing to restore an earth where conflicts cease,
a world that was created for a harmony of peace.
may we in service to our God act out the living word,
and walk the road the saints have trod till all have seen and heard.
as stewards of the earth may we give thanks in one accord,
to God who calls us all to be disciples of the Lord.
i don't know anything about the history of this hymn. the author was h. kenn carmichael and that's about all i know about him. i was very impressed though by this song.
i like the opening word "today." this expresses the urgency of the idea being expressed. today, now. it is to be lived out in the present. not a goal for the future. not an ideal of the past. today, now.
i am also impressed by the focus of the first verse, the beginning definition of "disciple" here is one who sets the "captives" free and serves the "poor and homeless" before themselves. i think this is a wonderful insight that would change the nature of the church if we could get that into our heads...
the second verse expresses the frailty and weakness of the human race who have failed as stewards of this planet. instead we threaten it with our selfish ambitions.
verse three expresses the desire for God to bring his justice and redeem the world that we corrupted through restoring us to righteousness in Him.
the final verse is a prayer for us whom He has called to be faithful disciples.
i found this hymn to be very interesting and inspiring, i had never heard it before.
thoughts anyone?
marksantistevan.
anyway, this week we went to the traditional service (which i found to be much more interesting than the contemporary service that we went to last week... can someone enlighten me as to the purpose for a contemporary presbyterian service?) and there were a lot of interesting differences between their service and ours (ours being an a/g service as i am used to). both have many things i like and dislike and many things i find helpful and many things i find distracting. this post isn't going to go into all that stuff though, instead, there was a specific hymn that stood out to me that i wanted to write down and talk about.
the hymn was called "today we all are called to be disciples."
today we are called to be disciples of the Lord,
to help to set the captives free, to make plow-share out of sword.
to feed the hungry, quench their thirst, make love and peace our fast,
to serve the poor and homeless first, our ease and comfort last.
God made the world and at its birth ordained our human race,
to live as stewards of the earth, responding to God's grace.
but we are vain and sadly proud, we sow not peace but strife,
our discord spreads a deadly cloud that threatens all of life.
pray justice may come rolling down as in a mighty stream,
with righteousness in field and town to cleanse us and redeem.
for God is longing to restore an earth where conflicts cease,
a world that was created for a harmony of peace.
may we in service to our God act out the living word,
and walk the road the saints have trod till all have seen and heard.
as stewards of the earth may we give thanks in one accord,
to God who calls us all to be disciples of the Lord.
i don't know anything about the history of this hymn. the author was h. kenn carmichael and that's about all i know about him. i was very impressed though by this song.
i like the opening word "today." this expresses the urgency of the idea being expressed. today, now. it is to be lived out in the present. not a goal for the future. not an ideal of the past. today, now.
i am also impressed by the focus of the first verse, the beginning definition of "disciple" here is one who sets the "captives" free and serves the "poor and homeless" before themselves. i think this is a wonderful insight that would change the nature of the church if we could get that into our heads...
the second verse expresses the frailty and weakness of the human race who have failed as stewards of this planet. instead we threaten it with our selfish ambitions.
verse three expresses the desire for God to bring his justice and redeem the world that we corrupted through restoring us to righteousness in Him.
the final verse is a prayer for us whom He has called to be faithful disciples.
i found this hymn to be very interesting and inspiring, i had never heard it before.
thoughts anyone?
marksantistevan.
Friday, January 18, 2008
welcome.
welcome to my blog. because this whole thing is new to both you and me i think the best thing for a first post would be to talk a little more about me and where i am and where i come from.
there is a a very general description of who/where i am in the "about me" section of this blog thing. for the sake of nothing else to put up for a first post i will give a short history of mark santistevan...
i grew up in a wonderful home with a wonderful family. faithful people who instilled in me good virtues. my parents are fantastic people who still amaze and inspire me with how they live their lives every day. my two elder brothers are my best friends and greatest inspirations. they have been the most excellent examples of righteousness. my younger sister is a great friend and has always been around for me if i needed her. my little sister is the most adorable girl in the world (i am not biased on this at all) and she always brings a smile to my face. the newest edition to the family, wilson (aka curious), is very little and very funny and very smelly. but i love him.
i am currently dating a cool girl named maribeth. it's a really long story. she's a great encouragement to me and it is truly a blessing to have her in my life. the rest of that story remains to be written...
the assemblies of God has been my church all my life. i have learned a lot in the churches and youth group in which i was a part. i am grateful for where God had me placed in the early stages of my life. great churches with sincere and devoted ministers of the Gospel of Christ.
as for my theology... if i wanted i could write paragraphs and paragraphs and thousands of words to express the simple fact that i don't really know anything. my theology consists of hundreds of questions and very very few answers. hopefully that will change as honesty and patience permits. for now it is sufficient for me to know Christ. His sacrifice for the sake of my utterly despicable wickedness to redeem me to His righteousness according to His good pleasure. i believe that, and my life is built on understanding this mystery and devoted to glorifying the one who chose me.
or at least i wish it was.
thank you for visiting. come back sometime. i promise it will be interesting. maybe.
be blessed.
marksantistevan.
there is a a very general description of who/where i am in the "about me" section of this blog thing. for the sake of nothing else to put up for a first post i will give a short history of mark santistevan...
i grew up in a wonderful home with a wonderful family. faithful people who instilled in me good virtues. my parents are fantastic people who still amaze and inspire me with how they live their lives every day. my two elder brothers are my best friends and greatest inspirations. they have been the most excellent examples of righteousness. my younger sister is a great friend and has always been around for me if i needed her. my little sister is the most adorable girl in the world (i am not biased on this at all) and she always brings a smile to my face. the newest edition to the family, wilson (aka curious), is very little and very funny and very smelly. but i love him.
i am currently dating a cool girl named maribeth. it's a really long story. she's a great encouragement to me and it is truly a blessing to have her in my life. the rest of that story remains to be written...
the assemblies of God has been my church all my life. i have learned a lot in the churches and youth group in which i was a part. i am grateful for where God had me placed in the early stages of my life. great churches with sincere and devoted ministers of the Gospel of Christ.
as for my theology... if i wanted i could write paragraphs and paragraphs and thousands of words to express the simple fact that i don't really know anything. my theology consists of hundreds of questions and very very few answers. hopefully that will change as honesty and patience permits. for now it is sufficient for me to know Christ. His sacrifice for the sake of my utterly despicable wickedness to redeem me to His righteousness according to His good pleasure. i believe that, and my life is built on understanding this mystery and devoted to glorifying the one who chose me.
or at least i wish it was.
thank you for visiting. come back sometime. i promise it will be interesting. maybe.
be blessed.
marksantistevan.
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