In HIS hands...

Mann, have I been busy these last few days, My college career is almost over, well, for now, good friends will go back home for a while, and I'll be left behind, granted I'll get to visit some of my friends over the summer, but it will be difficult not to see them a few times a week....

People always say that this in the beginning for you, and I hope it is it just seems as though maybe a huge part of my life will be coming to an end. My world has been completely turned around thanks to my friends and teachers, when I began my life was an utter mess, and over the past three years it just seems like God has totally moved in my life, I've been through much pain and much more happiness, the roads been long and a lot of work, and you'd think I'd be glad that it was about to end, but there is a part of me that has no clue where the next step of my life will take me...

I wonder often what is Gods plan for my life and I have always thought I knew exactly what it was, and still do to a certain extent, but God could pull me any way he wants to pull be and in many ways that is kind of scary. I know though deep in my heart that he is in control of all aspect of my life. I know that HIS plan is best. There is a song that speaks of this and many who read this will know exactly what it is...

I'm in his hands, I'm in his hands, what ever the future holds, I'm in his hands, the days I cannot see, have all been planned for me, his way is best, You see, I'm in his hands

Stanley Dittmer- Phil Laeger

You see even though I have no clue where my life will end up someday, I know I'm in Gods hands, He has a plan for my life and I shouldn't be afraid of what he has for me to take on in life, where many of the great friends I have come to find will be going home, I don't have to fear that they will be lost forever, where I fear that I will not know what is next, God will...

It's really rather simple, I can find Joy in the fact that what ever happens next in my life I know I have a Savior that will always carry me in his hands...

Where were U?

Today seems as though it is going to be one of those days that I simply enjoy to the best of my ability, I woke up completely refreshed and even before my alarm went of, those are the mornings that simply just say, "Matt today's going to be a great day so don't let Satan get the best of you." This typically means one of two things, today is going to be a day where Satan is either going to work on your buttons today or God is going to do something simply amazing. I'm not sure what today will have for me but I know God is with me through what ever it is...

As I thought about this while laying in my bed this morning I began to think upon the other times I'm had morning that seemed just fantastical as well as moments that seemed dreadful. I began to ask God the questions "Where were you in each of these moments?" and low and behold God answered my question as they were given to him, I saw things I had not seen before as well as receiving understanding I had not received before. God has a way of sharing things with us in the midst of the good and bad times in life, this just goes to show just how amazing our God truly is, when we have a God who remains with us even in the dreadful times of our life, we have a God that loves us more than words can simply describe...

Blessings & Shalom,

M.E.

Peaceful MindSet

Do you ever have those days when you just so at peace with the world that you just feel like doing nothing but enjoying the wonders that God has anointed for us to see?

Today was one of those days, and I'm really not sure why...

I woke up today with a very peaceful mind set and it just never left me the rest of the day. Of course I was a bit tired but I still felt as though I was being held up all day long by some crazy energy that I have not felt for quite some time. It reminded me of a quote that I often refer to to help me in troubled times "Walk boldly and Wisely, there is a hand above guiding you every step of the way" -Unknown

What a wonderful promise to us all, it reminds me that what ever is thrown your way to work through that there is always someone up there guiding you every step of the way. What peace that brings to my heart. My day wasn't the best of days and there were points when I simply wanted nothing to do with the world, but I was at peace with the fact that someone above is watching out for me today...

Take and eat of this wonderful promise God has given us, I promise you won't regret it...

Blessings & Shalom,

M.E.
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Beautiful Magnificence

What an interesting Day it has been for me...

I will finish my thoughts on Who U gonna B soon and very soon, but right now my day is done but it was such an amazing day to have had...

I got to catch up with some of the people I've been friends with for a long time, as well as with my new friends. I was so blessed this evening by all we talked about, God is definitely good :-)...

N/E who, as my day began I opened up my window to find the most beautiful sun rise I'd seen in quite some time, it was just a blessing all in its self, all I could do was Praise God for his wonderful creation and the life that he has given me. As I went to school I was even more blessed by seeing the beauty of the world around me, all the way from the crazy traffic, to the slow construction workers, to the trees around me, and the smiles of the people driving they're cars to and from where ever they were going.

Seeing those things made me wonder, What Beauty do we miss each day my simply not observing our surroundings when where out and about driving? Granted we can't get 2 distracted or we'll get into a wreck but, simply seeing whats around us is a blessing God has given us, and we tend to simply over look the beauty around us because were always rushing from place to place trying to get things done...

The day was just as good as it could have been, and ended just as good, with a wonderful praise session to the LORD, what a magnificent world we live in when something as simple as singing a song, or taking time to observe our world can make a day so wonderful...

Well, it's time to eat so, adieu

Blessings & Shalom,

M.E.

Who U gonna B

Have you ever wondered why it seems as though the world around you just doesn't get who you are?

Its a very simple question to ask ones self.

I figure when it comes to a world that doesn't understand, who you are all you need to do is keep being your self, there will always be people that misunderstand or misinterpret your words or your actions, but as long as you know who you are inside and who God wants you to be that's all that matters.

No one will ever be able to understand you as well as you understand your self. Sure there will be times when people see things that you don't want to admit you see in your self but they are there. We just simply ignore them.

As we go about the coming days' just simply be who your gonna be, don't let the world around you keep you from that person God has created you to be, because when you do your world will inevitably turn upside down, :-)

Well, off to school, I have more to say about this but it will have to simply wait...

Blessings & Shalom,

M.E.

Roller Coaster

Do you ever wonder why God places certain things in your life a points when they don't seem logical? I'm not sure what's going on when God does these kind of things but I have to say it sure makes life a roller coaster, LOL...

I have come to believe through many different experiences that God has a reason for everything that happens in our life. He moves in ways we simply cannot understand or comprehend. It make one wonder what in the world is God thinking, but what we can't grasp is the fact that God is always looking @ the bigger picture and he knows exactly what in the world he is doing...

So, I encourage those of you, if any of you, that read this to take those wonderful moments that God blesses you with and enjoy them just as you would enjoy a roller coaster, and for those that don't enjoy roller coasters, enjoy those moments any way, LOL...

Blessings & Shalom,

M.E.

Road Trip P2

What an exciting time we had in Shawnee, the trip was simply amazing, driving down to Shawnee we saw the beauty of our grand state, we took a way that we don't normally take to avoid the turn-pike, and we were completely stunned by what was all around us. Sara takes this way when she travels to and from school, and we are probably going to take this way from now on it was that stunning...

Once in Shawnee, we went to our Hotel, which was very different from other hotels I have stayed in. The Hotel was amazing, but I had a hard time sleeping due to the really fluffy pillows that were on the bed I slept on. It was right near the Mall, Wal-mart, pay-less, and the Dollar Tree, so there was so much stuff around to keep us occupied when Sara was in practice or @ work...

It was an amazing experience to hear Sara & Valerie play their instruments, they both did such a wonderful job and worked so hard, I was a very proud brother x2, I'd have to say. Both of them have so much talent its not even funny...

After spending time doing a little shopping, and with family Dad & I began our tour back home. It was a beautiful trip home as well, we got back in town around 10:30pm Sunday night...

Well, I'm off to bed, hoping to cream of enjoyable experiences just like the one I just blogged about...

Blessings & Shalom,

M.E.

Road Trip P1

Well,

Dad & I are about to embark upon a trip of a life time in his new truck. It will be interesting to see where this trip takes us this weekend. I begin to wonder will we get lost, probably not. Will we get frustrated with each other trying to figure it all out, hopefully not. With this being our first real road trip since Mom passed away, will there be tears, Maybe but who knows? What ever the case I'm looking forward to it...

I'm really looking forward to seeing Sara again and watching how far she has come in her quest to become the best Trumpet performer she can be. I am also looking forward to spending some quality time with Dad, it's been forever since we have spent any time together really, as well as spending time with some of the family. I think that this will be good for Dad and I in the long run. We've needed some time together for a long time and hopefully by the end of this trip the imaginary wall that seems to have been built up between us will completely dissipate...

Well, we're about to leave so keep us in your prayers, I know that this trip will be a great one for us, and I know Sara will do such a wonderful Job with everything that takes place. Keep looking here this weekend & will try to update you all on the trip and on my Grandma's condition...

Blessings & Shalom,

M.E.

Seclusion Memior

I have been playing the song "Here I Am" over and over in my head so many times since it was written, I just can't believe that it finally came out. I can't wait until the next once come what ever it may be...

Reflecting back upon my weekend of Solitude I have come to realize that I need to Seclude my self more often from the world around me. I have such an over whelming feeling of peace all week and things just seem to be a whole lot easier to deal with. I can think more clearly and I just feel so much energy every morning when I wake up...

It is simply amazing what happens when you let God move in your life. When I decided to dedicate Easter weekend as a weekend of Solitude I had no clue what was in store for me. I found something I had been searching for for quite some time, and I'm glad I chose to Seclude my self for a bit...

Blessings & Shalom,

M.E.

"Here I Am"

Hey everyone,

I am so happy that this song, It is most definitely a God given song...

To elaborate on what is all about,

So many times in life we run into things that push us to our limits and we loose sight of what God has for us. He sees our suffering and leads us into and through the wilderness of the world around us. He stands waiting for us to commit to him our hearts in worship & his love remains true to us all the way through it. He is ready and waiting for us to accept is calling for us in this desert place and builds us up with strength that is always soaring just like the eagle, He fly's to the open door laid before us and calls us to walk right on through.

I hope you all get something out of this song, I know I sure have and I know God is so true to each and everyone of us...

"Here I Am"
Written by Matthew J. Elliott
April 1st, 2010

Here I Am, Here I Am
Here I Am, Here I Am

The Roads marked with Suffering
The Paths are stained with Tears
The Love of God is Sustaining
I feel The Open Door
I Know your Right there Waiting
For My Solemn Prayer

Here I Am, Here I Am
Here I Am, Here I Am

Send Me through the Wilderness
Lead Me through that Door
Teach My Heart to Worship
I Await your Holy Call
I Feel your Presence Sounding
For My Solemn Cry

Here I Am, Here I Am
Here I Am, Here I Am

Your Love remains so true
It assumes the best of forms
Your Strength is always Soaring
I See the Eagles Wings
I Know your Heart is Flying
Towards the Solemn Door

Here I Am, Here I Am
Here I Am, Here I Am
Here I Am...

Blessings & Shalom,

M.E.

God is so Good

You guys are not going to believe this,

I just played through the song I wrote for my Mom when she past a way last year, and after I was able to play through it all, (It took a bit, its a really personal song)... The song that I have been struggling with for so long, just flowed out of my heart, MY GOODNESS GOD IS AMAZING...

I have been trying to write this song for so long almost 2 months, I'm so happy right now :-)...

The song is called "Here I Am", and it is written as a prayer some one might pray when they are seeking Gods guidance in making a huge decision that can change the course of someone life...

For quite some time now I have felt as though I have been in a desert trying to find my way through the wilderness of life, I have been faced with trials of all kinds, stress beyond belief that has pushed me to my limits, countless nights of little to no sleep, and I knew that I couldn't write this song because I simply was just stressed out like crazy...

Tuesday night in praise and worship practice we spend an hour in solid prayer for each other and it was revealed to someone what I had been going through and they told me that God was waiting for me to come back to a place of worship, I thought nothing really of it until Wednesday in chapel when the speaker spoke about the persecuted church and how they are suffering for humanity. Then 2night at the Passover Seder the special music was "The Old Rugged Cross" which reminded me of the song I wrote for my mother last January and when I got home I worked my way through it remembering mom and the lessons she taught me and after I was able to play through it The song "Here Am I" was born...

Check it out in my next blog...

Blessings & Shalom,

M.E.