“Trust In Jesus”

ALBUM: MOVE
RELEASE DATE: OCTOBER 19,2010
SINGLE SUCCESS: N/A
LYRICS BY: MAC POWELL
MUSIC BY: THIRD DAY
PRODUCED BY: PAUL MOAK
SPECIAL INFO: N/A

SONG LYRICS
One of these days we all will stand in judgment for
Every single word that we have spoken
One of these days we all will stand before the Lord
Give a reason for everything we’ve done
And what I’ve done is

Trust in Jesus
My great Deliverer
My strong Defender
The Son of God
I trust in Jesus
Blessed Redeemer
My Lord forever
The Holy One, the Holy One

What are you going to do when your time has come
And your life is done and there’s nothing you can stand on
What will you have to say at the judgment throne
I already know the only thing that I can say I

There’s nothing I can do on my own to find forgiveness
It’s by His grace alone I trust in Jesus
Trust in Jesus

In September of 2009 I found myself unemployed and looking for work unsuccessfully as I had been since losing my job in February of that same year. I was contacted by my pastor at Southgate Community Church to see if I would be interested in going on a men’s wilderness adventure in Canada for a week. After discussing this with my wife (she literally pushed me out the door to go) I took off on the trip.

The group of men that myself and a fellow Southgater joined was from Fusion Church in Illinois. So we spent a week in the Canadian wilderness canoeing, portaging, camping, and bonding ( and for a select few of us, tipping our canoes in the lakes, some once, some twice). The week out in the wilderness with these men and of course God had a real impact on my life. We proudly defined ourselves as the band of brothers. We kept in contact using Facebook.

One of the men, Heath, and I also met this past June (2010) in Illinois at a race called “The Warrior Dash”. Heath ran in a heat just before mine so we were not able to run the race together. We met up after my heat and talked for a little bit and then soon parted ways. Again, we continued to stay in contact through Facebook.

Now back to present day. My transmission appeared to have gone out on in my van. Here is my post and the responses I got on Facebook.























This was my next post concerning my van.






















So, I get the report back that it is definitely my transmission. To top it off the catalytic converter is shot as well. This was my next Facebook post.

From here forward the conversation between Heath and I was on chat session on facebook. Heath and his family were going to be going to Florida Thanksgiving. Heath took a vehicle that he had that needed some work (brakes, oil leak) to his mechanic to see about getting it fixed. Heath had said that if he could get it fixed, I could have the van. Heath had asked if I would prefer the van or the pick-up, I told Heath that the van would be better suitable for me and the family but that whatever I had would be good.

At one point it looked as though the van would be too costly to repair and Heath offered to purchase the pick up truck instead. Again, I was grateful for any vehicle. On Thursday heath was set head south for the holiday. The plan was for that they would drive two vehicles and we would meet at a spot along the way. Heath contacted me on Facebook that day via the chat session;

“Looks like God wants you to have the van, my mechanic called and gave it the ok.”

My repsonse was , that is awesome, thank you so much for doing this for us.

So, Heath calls later that evening to say they are ready head out. We decide to meet in Hobart Indiana off of I-65. Hobart is about 65 miles from my house. we would travel the toll road to get there. I tell my wife to get ready to go. Silly me. I knew that she did not like to drive at night and that she was especially not comfortable doing so on the toll road.

So I call another friend David, on is cell phone, who lives locally. I ask if he is bust and he says that he is in the checkout lane at Menards. I explain my situation, and then asked if he would be so kind as to drive me to Hobart. Without hesitation he says, “I’ll be right over.”

So approximately 20 minutes later David and I are on our way to Hobart, 65 miles away, 1 hour and 15 minute drive.

We arrive at the set location in Hobart and Heath and his family arrive shortly after. We get out exchange hugs and greetings. Heath goes over some details on the van, signs over the title, and apologizes because he did not have time to clean it.

Clean it? wow, This man is giving me a van and apologizes because he did not have to to make it shiny and spiffy for me. I assure him that I am okay with it not being cleaned. I am grateful for what he and his family are doing for me and mine.

We say our goodbyes and Heath and his family continue on there way to meet family for the holiday. David and I head back to South Bend.

All the way back to South Bend, I am just overwhelmed by the generosity of my friends. By Heath and his family for giving me a van (a van that they actually paid money to repair so that it would be operable). By David, who at a moments notice and without hesitation, said yes, I can pick you up.

Because of these two special friends in my life, I now have a vehicle that I can drive. Thank You Heath and David for being the friends you are. Thank you for being an example of Christ’s love.

Here is the van, I was so graciously given.

So, as Thanksgiving approaches, I sit here thankful for my friends, for their sacrifice, for their willingness to give, for their willingness to be open to hear from God and respond, thankful for a loving and provisional God.

What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving Season?

With the weather being so nice the city was buzzing with activity. Also, because Sunday, 10-10-10 was the Chicago Marathon there was a lot of people in town.

One of the many attractions, or for some distractions, are the street performers. I personally find them an attraction and like to stop and watch and listen.

This one in particular caught my ear before my eyes. Jin and I had just come along Lake Shore Drive, walking along the path that was streaming with runners, cyclists, and walkers alike. We came to an end where there was a park ( I believe it is PFC. Milton Olive Park, as we then walked to Navy Pier) and the pedestrian underpass. We had sat down on a bench by the beach area and I heard a faint sound of music coming from the pedestrian underpass. So, as Jin sat on the bench I made my way down to explore this music.

As I approached the entrance to the walkway I see a man sitting in a chair playing a guitar and harmonica and singing.
I sit outside the entrance to listen. This is the first time I have heard the song he is singing. I like the song and the music, he is doing a good job. I walk over to call Jin down so she can sit with me and listen.







So, Jin and I sit and listen to him sing and play some more. I am intrigued by this song and this gentleman’s performance. After listening for a little while longer, I walk over to the man and place some money in his guitar case. I then take this video and some photos (one which is just above).

Gravity is working against me
And gravity wants to bring me down

Oh I’ll never know what makes this man
With all the love that his heart can stand
Dream of ways to throw it all away

Oh Gravity is working against me
And gravity wants to bring me down

Oh twice as much aint twice as good
And can’t sustain like one half could
It’s wanting more
That’s gonna send me to my knees
(repeat)

Oh gravity, stay the hell away from me
And gravity has taken better men than me (Now how can that be?)

Just keep me where the light is
Just keep me where the light is
Just keep me where the light is
Come on, keep me where the light is
Come on, keep me where the light is
Away from all the dark
Keep me where the light is
Keep me where, keep me where the light is

Tribune Photo/BARBARA ALLISON Adams High School senior Will Guedes, an exchange student from Brazil, is still learning about the sport of football after having arrived in the area two months ago. Here he works on his kicking with help from teammate Adam Jolly.

SOUTH BEND — Minutes into the first high school football game of his life, Will Guedes learned a valuable lesson.

The Adams High kicker lined up for a PAT. The snap sailed high, over the holder’s head.

Guedes, an exchange student from Brazil, didn’t understand the game very well, but he knew that wasn’t good.

“I saw the ball rolling on the ground and I knew the other team (Chesterton) could pick it up and run the other way,” the 5-foot-7, 136-pound senior said. “I jumped on it and grabbed it with my arm. Then, everyone started piling on me. My helmet started shaking. My hand hurt, but it was more fun than it was painful.

“The next time, though, I told the snapper not to do that again.”

“That was Will’s welcome to American football,” said Adams coach Frank Amato. “This is football with ‘two o’s’ (football), not a ‘u’ (futbol, or soccer).”

A left-footed kicker, Guedes never played organized soccer in his hometown of Brasilia. There are no school sports, just clubs. His main sport is diving. Guedes placed second nationally in his age group two years ago, and fourth last year. He plans on diving at Adams this winter, but, for now, the focus is football.

“I always thought football was about, take the ball and hit someone,” Guedes said. “I never realized the strategy in it.

“I’m impressed with the support a football team gets from the students and the community. The technology is amazing. Coaches on the sidelines talk on phones.”

Guedes, who arrived in South Bend two months ago, tried for a couple weeks to divide his time between the soccer and football teams.

Didn’t work.

“I wanted to give all of myself to football,” he said.

A couple times a week, kicking is a significant part of the Eagles’ practice. The other days, he and his partners — a kicking tee and a contraption that holds the ball — spend their workouts at the other end of the field, working on distance and accuracy.

“My goal is a field goal from 50 yards,” Guedes said.

Through five games, he owns a 30-yard field goal against Washington and about a half dozen PATs. That first three-pointer was a milestone for the guy who taught himself the proper kicking technique by studying it on the Internet.

“All the team was celebrating for me, throwing me up in the air,” Guedes said of the kick that put Adams ahead of Washington, 9-7, early in the fourth quarter.

“While all that (celebration) was going on, Will’s saying, ‘It’s not over guys. The game’s not over,’” said Amato. “He’s a unique guy.”

Adams ended up losing that game to the Panthers. Guedes took it hard. Though a newcomer to the program, Guedes has struggled through the Eagles’ 1-5 start to the season.

“It’s hard to come to practice after a loss,” he said.

That’s why last Saturday, after Adams got its first win by beating Riley, was so much fun.

“That was joke day,” Guedes said.

Football has helped Guedes, who speaks Portuguese and Spanish along with much-improved English, get comfortable in his new surroundings. Making friends hasn’t been a problem.

“People in America are so open, so friendly,” Guedes said. “That’s the best thing about being here, the friends I’ve made.”

He’s noticed that at just about every Adams football game this season, a fight involving fans has happened.

“Caveman behavior,” he called it. “It’s a problem in Brazil, too.”

“The funniest thing about Will, before every kick, just before the snap, he’ll give the holder the ‘thumbs up,’” Amato said. “That’s the kind of kid he is, always positive.”

It’s easy to understand in any language.

You can read the article online at South Bend Tribune

No matter what we may be going through, getting on that long black train is not worth it.  The engineer does make us wonder if getting on would be worth the pain, he tries to convince us that it would actually soothe the pain we are having at that moment. But remember who is driving that train, it is not our Father, but the devil, trying his best to deceive us.

James4:7 (NKJ) Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you
“Roaring lion”
The devil is described as a lion: fierce and predatory, always on the lookout for somebody to attack and bring down. The key to resisting his attacks to be continually vigilant against them.

1 Peter 5:8 (The Message)

He Gets the Last Word

8-11Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. You’re not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It’s the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith. The suffering won’t last forever. It won’t be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ—eternal and glorious plans they are!—will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes, he does.

There’s a long black train,
Comin’ down the line,
Feedin’ off the souls that are lost and cryin’,
Rails of sin, only evil remains
Watch out brother for that Long Black Train

Look to the heavens
You can look to the skies
You can find redemption
Staring back into your eyes
There is protection and there’s
Peace the same, burnin’ your ticket for that
Long Black Train

‘Cause there’s vict’ry in the Lord I say,
Vict’ry in the Lord,
Cling to the Father and His holy name,
And don’t go ridin’ on that Long Black Train

There’s an engineer on that Long Black Train,
Makin’ you wonder if the ride is worth the pain,
He’s just a waiting on your heart to say
Let me ride on that Long Black Train,

But you know there’s vict’ry in the Lord I say,
Vict’ry in the Lord,
Cling to the Father and His holy name,
And dont go ridin’ on that Long Black Train

Well, I can hear the whistle from a mile away,
It sounds so good
But I must stay away
That train is a beauty, makin’ everybody stare
But its only destination is the middle of nowhere,

But you know theres vict’ry in the Lord I say,
Vict’ry in the Lord,
Cling to the Father and His holy name,
And don’t go ridin’ on that Long Black Train

I said cling to the Father and His holy name
And dont go ridin’ on that long black train
Yeah, watch out brother for that long black train
The Devil’s a drivin’ that long black train.

(This is a bit late to get posted, but i just got the blog back up and running, so here it is.)

The above article is from the South Bend Tribune. The highlighted area is about the field goal William (Guilherme) made during the game. This was William’s very first field goal during a game.

William nailed this 30 yard field goal which for the first time in the season (and only time to this point) gave Adam’s High School the lead in a football game.

Unfortunately Adam’s has since to have the lead in a game and for that matter to win a game. At this point in the season they are 0-4

8/28 Hubbard High School (L)
9/03 S. B. Clay (L)
9/10 S. B. Washington (L)
9/17 S.B. St. Joseph’s (L)
9/24 S.B. Riley
10/1 Brebeuf Preparatory
10/8 Mishawaka Marian
10/15 Penn

(Photo taken by Lee MacMillan)

I for one am not able to think of any off the top of my head. That may be simply because when I was in school they did not have any pubic schools. How times have changed.

Blue Waters Group who is contracted to do work for the city of South Bend’s redevelopment commission to promote the city, has taken full responsibility for the error. Patrick Strickler, president of the Blue Waters Group states that four people proofread the ad prior to it being released to Burkhart Advertising.

Fortunately, it was on a digital billboard so it was easy to take down.

Here we are 9 years later and now a islamic group wants to put a mosque near the site. The Iman goes as far as to say that if the mosque is not allowed, we should expect violence from the islamic muslim world. You can read more over at Fox News