Full Circle (Zooming In Finale)

Life is so incredibly interesting. For me, my life has tons of twists and turns that I would never have expected before they happened. This week at Second Baptist Church's "Beach Retreat", I discovered a great number of things in my life that I had never really thought about before. My life changed, and I can't wait to see where that takes me. I'd like to share my story of what happened this past week. What I'm going to be doing in dividing the entire story up into smaller sections, which will all interlace in the end. Each story will be connecting to Beach Retreat, and how my life has changed in many ways. The stories will be in chronological order of how the week went. Here we go. Ready?

Story 1: In the recent months, I haven't had the tightest relationship with my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. When I would get mad, or depressed, or something just happens in my life that I don't understand or enjoy, I would put all the weight of the world on MY shoulders, and not HIS shoulders. Second Baptist's Michael Head, our High School Ministry pastor has always told us to give up our problems and let God handle it. But I had been depending too much on myself rather than my God. I believed that when I had gotten to Beach Retreat, (A.K.A BR) that God would come into my life again. That did happen as a matter of fact, but definitely not the way I expected it to. Moving on...

Story 2: A few weeks before BR, I managed to get a girlfriend. My third, she was a good friend and we were very happy together. And we had planned to hang out all the time on the trip. Now, as most of you don't know, I had liked this girl for a while...so when we started dating it felt like longer than when we officially started going out.

Story 3: Last year at BR: 2011, I had an ginormous crush on a girl. No, it wasn't the girlfriend I had just spoke of, it was another friend of mine. Anyways, I had no idea if she had ever liked me or not, but we were good friends, and I thought we would be great together. So I decided to try and pull off something insane. I was going to ask her out Thursday night, in front of all the students. I had a bunch of friends backing me up and were going to help me, and I had a megaphone that I would use to say a few nice things, give her flowers, and then ask her out in front of everyone. Now you see what happened was, I saw her with another guy (who just so happens is now a friend of mine...weird) who was with this girl the whole night. I could tell. They liked each other. When I saw this, it was about an hour before I was going to pull off the show. I got so sad that I cancelled it, and I just sent her a text about how I feel later that night, which was something I would regret to this day. I still haven't gotten over that night, because it was a big moment for me. I'm fine, and that kind of stuff makes me stronger, but it still has left a mark. The whole year afterwards I just thought to myself, "What will I do when I see her next year on that Thursday night?" When I did see her last Thursday, my encounter was much different than I expected.

Story 1: On Wednesday morning, Michael Head gave a sermon on Idols. He talked about how we shouldn't worship other things, such as dating, or work, or friendships, or social media. I can go on. But what really spoke to me was the part when we talked about dating. He said something along the lines of "You need to focus on God. Maybe there are some relationships that you have been effected by, or some you need to let go in your life. Think about it." That moved me greatly. And at that moment I KNEW something big would happen that day.

Story 2: A couple hours later, I was hanging out with my girlfriend. A friend and I were at her condo, and at one point she took me outside. She was kind of quiet, and was a little nervous, but eventually she said words like "This is weird...you know...us", and "I think we should just be friends. It's nothing that you did, it's my fault". I got dumped. Randomly. Out of the blue. I never did anything wrong, I treated her perfectly, and for some reason I am now single. To be honest, I believe it's another guy. I have a strong feeling. Anyways I was crushed. And that effected me. I was right. Something big DID happen last Wednesday...

Story 1: That Wednesday night, worship was starting. Brett Hystead and his band played a number of songs, and there was one song (I forget the name) that had the words: "Your love never fails, it never gives up...it never runs out on me..." During that song, God spoke through worship and communicated with me. He basically told me this extremely important lesson: Girlfriends and friendships will come and go through life...but God's love will never leave you. And I'll never be thirsty again for that love if I focus on Him. I started crying during that song. It was so emotional. Just that whole day was emotional. Immediately I started feeling better about my whole life, the breakup, and how my life was going to be. If I stayed faithful to God, I will never fail. *Side note*: Thank you Jesus.
Then, Thursday night came...

Story 3: I saw her. The girl that I tried to get over a year ago. She was exactly in the same spot I saw her last year. Things went full circle for me. This past week, I didn't have a crush on her this time. What I did feel though was a sense of compassion for her. The look in her eyes. I could tell. She was going through something. So I prayed and prayed. A lot. I prayed for her to get over whatever she was going through.

Story 1: During Dr. Ed Young's sermon, he invited those who wanted to accept Christ to come up on stage. Then he invited the ones who just wanted to admit that they had troubles in their life, and wanted to re-connect with God once again. I walked up on stage because of the latter. I didn't want to put the weight on my shoulders anymore, but on God's. It was a choice I made to get baptized when I walked up on stage. People stared at me. I thought to myself..."Wow, this really is a Giant Hour for me." The people who went to get baptized got on a separate bus and we left to go to the water park where people got baptized.

(Here's where it all comes together.)

I stood in line. The line was in the water. The line of people getting baptized in the water, with all my friends cheering me on alongside. It was an amazing moment for me. I totally forgot about my ex, the other girl, and my old life. This was a new beginning for me. Suddenly, I was next to get baptized. I chose Michael Head, because he has been a huge impact on my life. I walked to him. I stared into the crowd. Then I stared into the line behind me.

And then I saw her.

The girl. The girl I didn't think I would see that Thursday night. The one I gave up on last year. The one that I had actually never stopped praying for to have a good life. The one that got away. The one that I would never stop caring for. The one that looked like she needed God. She was behind me...wearing that black shirt that announced to everyone that she would get baptized. I saw her as Michael put his hands on me, and was about to change my life. I saw her eyes. She was crying. I never saw her so happy. Tears of joy, I assume. I thought to myself how different this night was than what I was expecting. I thought I would sit along the side, aside friends, watching people change their lives. And I thought I wouldn't see that girl. But God has a better plan for my life.

Michael took me down into the water, and I came back up. I walked to the side of the pool, overwhelmed with the feeling of Jesus right alongside me. The volunteers shouted for me to walk up. I shouted "No! I have to see something!" I was holding up the line, but I didn't care! She walked toward Michael. Down, and up again. She was crying more. I shed a tear myself. I had no idea she would be baptized this year, and to my surprise, it effected me a lot. Afterward we talked, and everything was just great. I am so proud of her, and if your reading this (Which you always do!) I hope your doing okay, and I want you to know that I'm always there for you. I am so happy for your decision, and I wish you the best in life.

In addition, my life was changed. Out with the old, in with the new. My ex was in the past, my friend changed her life, and I changed mine. God's love can flow through anyone who accepts it. I chose to let it into my heart, and Thursday night changed me forever because of it. Beach Retreat 2012 was an absolutely amazing experience. I'm not focusing anymore on the bad in the world, which I have been doing since my first post on this blog. I'm focusing more now on God...and what he would do for what life throws at me. I am changed. I am happy. I am faithful. And I am ready for life. Thank you everyone for reading.

I am done!

Relationships #4: For the Guys

I'm bringing it back. I have more to say about relationships, dating, etc. Today, it's only for the guys. Next post I have will be for the girls. But to start off this thing, I'd like to say one thing to clarify: I don't get girls. Most guys don't. So...ladies, I will probably get some/most things wrong. If I do, please, by all means let me know! But today I am writing to the guys reading this, and what we can do about dating in High School. (Yupp...this one's only for High schoolers...because I don't know about the dating scenario beyond that age. I'm 16, remember?)

Here's the first step. So. You like this girl, right? Yeah...that one your thinking of RIGHT now. Yeah. Her. You wanna ask her out, correct? Okay. That's awesome! Let me tell you something. I got some rules for myself that you might wanna follow:

1. Don't EVER get your friend to ask her out. This happened to me...but I actually didn't know my friend got the date for me until the girl called me the next day. It was all good later, but...nevertheless...you gotta man up and do it in person. That leads me to my next point...

2. Don't EVER text a girl, asking her out. Okay...maybe calling her is alright. But still. When I like a girl...I will for real wanna go out of my way, buy flowers, get up all in my suit, and ask her out in person. Her saying yes will all be worth it. Okay. For the one girl (You know who you are!) that knows that I actually have asked you out in a text, I still feel utterly silly about that. Oh, silly 14 year old me. Oh, silly Nathan.

3. Don't ask her out if you don't wanna commit. Some girls I know have dated a lot of jerks, losers, and guys who just don't treat her right. I wish y'all would just stop. I hear about it on Facebook, Twitter, from the actual girl, whatever. It's kinda sad. Some guys don't think with their heart. Wanna call that gay? Nah it's cool bro, I don't mind. Because it really is true. One night, a guy will be feeling lonely, or just want some girls attention, and'll sweet talk the girl into falling for him. Later on, the guy will end it, and the girl will just feel betrayed. (I'm not saying that girls don't do this too...but that's another topic.) For me, when I like someone, I wait a long time to make sure. I want to give them the most respect I can possibly give! There's this one girl I've liked for a long time. And even though I wanted to make my move the first day I saw her, I just waited. I've tried to before, but it's still never been the "Right time." At least I know what kind of choices I make, and don't just act on a whim.

4. You might be surprised, but some guys (No...not me...) believe that dating in Highschool, College, etc is just like in the movies. Um. WRONG. Hollywood tries to tell you false information to make you believe that you'll just have to do the right amount of things and that tall, rich blonde you see in the movies will fall right into your hands. Nope. False story bro. Doesn't happen. 

5. I'll say it one more time, in case you didn't hear me. RESPECT HER. Be the type of guy her parents would approve of. I try to be the guy that will make that girl one of the most important things in my life. Not just the girl who makes the sandwhiches. Because I know some of y'all have said that to a girl! Which brings me to my NEXT point...

6. Joke? Nah. Don't ever "punch" the girl, or "tease" her by making fun of her. Unless she's cool with your humor, girls don't like to be picked on. It's even annoying for me. My friend says "Ahh, your such an idiot! Oh just kidding bro you know I don't mean that right you know what I mean...." and 2 minutes later he'll do something just like that. STOP. It's annoying, rude, and something only guys should do to each other...sometimes.

7. One thing guys do a lot is act completely different after they get the girl. Some will look like the nicest guy before the two start dating, and when they are together he acts like someone else. Or, the guy just doesn't show like he cares that much. That's a mistake. If you really want that girl...and you actually got her, don't stop making her feel special. Be the type of guy that will always put her first around others, not just at home. Be the guy that let's your S.O know that she's not embarrassed to be around you. She'll be so much happier. One, because she feels important. But two, because most guys just don't do that kind of stuff.

8. Here's the last, and most important thing to remember. Be her best friend! No...don't be her best friend to "get more out of it", because that's not the direction you wanna go. You wanna get to her heart? Be that closest friend that will always be there for her. Even if y'all don't communicate for a while, and y'all have your ups and downs, don't ever stop just being her friend. If she seems interested in being more than friends...well, I think you can figure it out from there, guys.

Just a thought.

True Friends

Today I'm gonna be telling you guys about something that's been on my mind for a while. Everyone has friends (unless your the Forever Alone guy), haha. But anyway, what some realize is that the people you hang out with can either be really close, or just someone that knows of you. And also, that it really is true that the 5 people you are close friends with can have a pretty powerful impact on how you act, and how people perceive you to be.

My friend Jonathan is probably going to read this one to my face and embarrass me, but I'll say it anyway! If you don't know him already, Jonathan's one of my closest friends. He has a pretty big impact on my life, and vice versa. So much so that a lot of people say we look, dress, and act alike. Probably cause I've known him forever! And we're both pretty cool guys! But my point is, he is a strong Christian, extremely nice, and is hilarious! And I see that in myself as well. There are other people that I have a close friendship with, and I really cherish that. So I just wanted to have y'all know that. Watch who you be around...it will impact you more than you know. Sometimes for me, as a Christian, it's hard for me to stay righteous, because I would meet someone that might drag me down a little. But that's why you have to always stay in touch with your close friends who will never bring you down. BUT YET...that's the other thing. Sometimes your close friends can really be bringing you down. So again. Just watch out.

Another thing. I'll see people get crushed by what their "Close friends" say. Sometimes, you'll know someone that you are really close to...and one day, they'll just treat you like they don't even know you. I'm sure some of you reading this have been there. I have! And it's not cool, right? It's hard. I know. Just know that sometimes, you ARE gonna have those times. I won't get into the "God's always your friend" topic. You already know that. Bahaha. But anyway...I hope all that makes sense.

Just a thought.

A time for Change

2012 is upon us. A new year, a new start. A fresh change, a fresh beginning. But for some of us, I think we are holding onto the past, and not letting go.

This one's gonna be short and sweet, because the message is simple.

Okay so, I've definitely had problems in my life. Granted, I'm so blessed to be raised in a Christian family, so I don't ever have to worry about growing up in a bad family. It's just normal, growing up problems. We all have them. When your a kiddo, it was trying to reach the cookie jar. (<--My huge dilemma.) When you start to get older, sometimes it's passing that test, reaching that big deadline, losing a loved one, deciding on what to wear, how to lose weight, or finding the right way to ask out that girl. Whatever it is, we can all relate to each other in the fact that we hold on to things we don't enjoy, along with the good things.
Near the end of 2011, I looked back on the year. There was a lot of good times! But other not so great times as well. Since I was still holding on to one particular thing I did (that was, aahh, just extremely stupid), I gave it some thought. Also studied the Bible to distract myself. What I realized is this. 2012 is going (and already is) an immensely great year for me! Why should I distract myself with the past? If I messed up in life, it's OKAY. Things happen. You WILL do crazy and dumb stuff. It's a fact. We're not human. That's why God is here for us. So that's what I'm doing this year. I've officially left my past behind, and am looking ahead toward the future. And it's looking very bright.

Basically, you could sit around and think about the bad things that are happening all around you. But know that there's always a new way around things. A second change, a new opportunity, a brand new day. That's a gift that God has given us, and I just believe we should use this new year to change lives, open new doors, and see a brighter future for all of us.

Just a thought.

New Years Eve 2011/Summing the year up!

Well...look where we are. It's been exactly one year since my last blog on New Years. Where was I? Where was I in 2011? And where will I be in 2012? Let's see.

Last year...I was completely different than this moment that I'm writing this. So many things in my life have changed...and some of it is too complicated to explain. I think this time, I'll highlight some of the major things that went down in 2011 for me.

MAJOR:

Beach Retreat: A lot of different things happened that week. I made a lot of new friends. I lost a few. *Sigh.* I got closer to God, and I saw two really good friends of mine that moved to Alabama not too long ago. Roger and Becky Capan. It was so, so, so nice seeing them again! Miss you guys!
Anyway...that week (And a few certain things that went down) would absolutely change the next few months of  my life...and would continue to change me up until this moment. Lots of good things...some not so great...but overall just amazing. I'm so glad I'm apart of Second Baptist and all it has to offer.

South Carolina 2011: I love my family so much! (Almost) every year, we go and see my Aunt, Uncle, and cousins up in SC for about a week. It's so much fun. We hung out between the two families, went to the pool a lot, ate a lot of great food...and had sweet tea about every day...haha!

Galveston: This was so awesome. Me, Charlie, Lucas, and NICKie Dee went to the beach for a week. We explored the town, went Kayak Racing, wrestled with SUPER SHARKS (LOL), got them numbers, and broke a window. Haha yeah. It gets crazy.

ALL the mall visits: In short...I have some interesting experiences at malls. For example...I kind of got on the roof of Memorial City. No big or anything.

N+1: Even though I've been spouting out information about this for a year...it's STILL in development. This web series I'm doing is crazy hard to complete...because there are so many obstacles I have to jump through! I'm just now beginning to film...and it should be out Summer 2012. That's my deadline.

MINOR:

Um...actually now that I think about it the minor events would probably be lame. So, never mind.

Anyway...I've had a lot of good times over this past year. And I expect to have the same this time around. Where will I be this year? Probably still homeschooled, still in Houston, still writing, but making new friends, new talents, new dreams, and new possibilities. I'm not dead yet!

Come at me, Myans.
Just a thought.

New Themes

Lots of different ideas have been thrown around concerning this blog! At one point, I was going to discontinue this page, and work on bigger projects. At one point, I had a "secret project"...and was going to turn this site into a video page, and I would be posting videos instead of blog posts. (Yeah...that was the BIG surprise...silly right? Haha.)

What I think I want to do is include more themes to the site. The main theme so far has been taking big problems that I see and discussing what I think about them. I'm going to put another theme in here, though.
Honestly, the site is a little negative. (Because it consists of negative subjects), I'm also going to add another aspect to it. This would be just anything that I found that is special enough to write on the interwebs, interesting videos, things like that. It will be more of an "All around" media page. I would be, ahem, "Zooming In" to lots of different things. I'm excited about this change. I love writing. And I don't want this blog to die. So giving new life to it will most likely give it a better purpose. Enjoy the upcoming changes, and I'll see you next week!

Just a thought.

Passion

It's what wakes us up every day. It's what drives us to be greater. It's what gets us to be the best we can be. 


It's Passion.


What is passion, anyway?


The definition is: Strong and barely controllable emotion.


People that have that passion are people who enjoy life, for the most part. I know some people who have absolutely no idea where they're going. And that can be depressing. I know this because I have been there! It is sad to know that you don't know why your here. You know, why your even alive; what your living for. I believe we all have those days. So think about this: what if we all just sat down and listed all the good things we have? Because I've learned the lesson that there is always someone better than you, but there is always someone worse off than you. Think about it! 


My passion? Right now? I love writing, and making videos for friends. I'm also involved in ministry at Second Baptist. My life is pretty great at the moment. Although sometimes I can have really bad days (like everyone), I just keep my head up. Just last night, I was struggling with something. But I have ways of dealing with problems. For one, I pray. I don't know if your into that, but It really helps me to just be alone with the Lord. Another thing is to take a walk. Especially with this nice weather coming through Texas recently, you can really enjoy the outside, while thinking about life. It is nice to just kind of be alone from everything for a little while.


I'm sure you have ways of dealing with problems too. But after you get past those, think about the good things that you want to get done! For example...what do you want to be when you grow up? Or if your an adult, what are the best things you've done in life? For me, I love to focus on the good things. And usually some of those things I'm really passionate about; whether that's a job, a test, that cute girl I know, creating the next best idea, or whatever. I believe if you find your passion, you'll find a happy place. And I don't mean that to be weird. I'm serious. Even if nothing else is going well in your life, there is always something you can look toward that you can hold on to. Maybe that's God. Maybe that's your girlfriend/boyfriend. Maybe that's the dream job your working for. Whatever.


All I'm saying is this. I don't want to see anyone down. Because I know that EVERY, single, person has a purpose. And that is really exciting to me! My friends say "I don't know where I'm going in life! I hate myself." I'm with you, guys. Life is hard. But just know that for one: I'm there for you. Two, so is God. And three, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. Have a great life! Because I know that even when we can get down and we feel like we can't get back up, everyone eventually does, and it all works out just fine.


Just a thought.