Day 11

Another day in the books and another day towards the end of life. God is still great and I am thankful for the opportunity that I got to go through the day and for every breath that I was given. It has been an adventure over the past few days. School seems a little overwhelming but I think I will be able to handle it and baseball is headed for the grind of the season and I could not be happier. Coming to North Central was definitely a humbling experience and I have not enjoyed every moment of my time here but I know that things are continuing to get better and I know I will miss this place when I leave. Sure, the school is small and has it's own drama and everybody is involved in their neighbor's business but I think it can be helpful if utilized correctly. We need people to look out for us and restore us, not destroy us and push us to the point of falling apart. Our brothers and sisters are supposed to come along side us and walk the journey with us. I wish I had more people that would do that. I have no one asking me if I am struggling or if I am walking tall and I feel like it leads me to keep my own record however I want to and nobody will know if it is the right one or not (except God). Sometimes it feels like nobody cares about what you are doing or how you are coping with things, they just come into contact with you everyday and assume that you are okay. I just want someone to look out for me and be there for me when I need them the most, I cannot do it on my own.

One thing I like about Proverbs is that it is very practical. I am a very practical person and so it all makes sense to me and I can apply it rather quickly. Proverbs 19:16 states, "He who obeys instruction guards his life, but he who is contemptuous of his ways will die." When I think of this, I do not just think of instruction such as just reading The Bible and praying, I think of the instruction we receive in chapel as well as when we attend church. If God is truly speaking through the people giving the message (discernment), then we should be applying what they teach and chasing after God with every passing lesson or sermon. If we try to pass something off as not applicable to us, then we are missing the point and putting ourselves in a vulnerable position. If we dissect a message enough, then we can find something that is applicable to our walk and it will strengthen us with every passing day. If we do not get anything out of church then why do we go? We would do much better sitting at home and reading our Bible and then mediating on it. We have been given an opportunity, a chance in this great nation to follow our religious beliefs without persecution and yet so many of us fail to exercise that right on a daily or weekly basis. Let us cling to the instruction that we receive and utilize it fully so that we do not fall way from the one who is drawing us near to him. You will not go wrong as long as you follow his path for your life and his map should be what you are following on a daily basis as it will be the only thing that leads you to your destination.

I hope you all had a great day, God is doing amazing things and I know his hand is over in Japan. Please keep me in your prayers as well as Japan, it is very important that we do not forget them in this time of need.

God Bless,

Joseph Robinson