The Armor Bearer

Life was never meant to be lived alone. From the very beginning when God created man He said it wasn't good to be alone. God was living with Adam at that time so it's interesting he says alone. So we know God is with us in spirit so we are technically never alone but He knew companionship was a great thing created and needed. God himself loves companionship.
Those who know me know that I am not married so I am speaking of a different companionship ( for the time being ) I have had several guys in my life that helped me and invested in me along the way. Five imparticular.
The first is Mark Mckeehan and for some reason I have no pic on my phone with him. Quite a shame ha. This man has been through the fire with me. He always seems to call me in his office before I even ask him for help. Never holds it back and tells me what I need to hear rather than what I want to hear.
The second is Matt Paradis. From the second we began to work together we were brothers and it was obvious God had brought us together to bring glory to his name. His kids are like my own neice and nephews and will always be. His wife is like my sister. I bother him with issues more than I probably should but his house and heart is always open without invitation.
Third is Jon. If you want to know how we met, just ask him. He would love to tell ha. Jon is my brother. That's all there is to it. We have fun like brothers. We disagree and fight like brothers. Had he came from the same parents there would be no difference in our relationship except we would just have known each other longer. He is there for the good and the bad and vice versa. There is nothing either of us don't know and that's all there is. We tell it like it is and he is the brother I never had.
Brad Lowery. We met in high school and have been best friends yet. We are the same and so different in lot of ways. Our key bond is that we are young men in the ministry and trying to find out way through ha. Our life took a different turn than others in college and God allowed us to have each other to work through this time. When we are fed up with ministry we talk to each other. When we are on top it seems like in ministry we praise together. He encourages me in ways he doesn't know and I am who I am in the music realm because of Him.
Last is my dad. Your dad is the first person in your life who says I'm proud of you and don't get me wrong, I need to hear that from others and love it when you say it, there just isn't something quite as fulfilling as your dad saying I'm proud of you son. I learned this from my earthly father so that one day I might hear this from my Heavenly Father. My dad had made me into who I am, so if you don like me blame him ha. I love being a " Earl". Grant it that it has its downs ha but I love what comes with it. We love God first and our families second. We honor our time with loved ones and do what we can to help who we can. We fish, we work, and we laugh. The man I am today is because Heavenly Father and my earthly father. The other four just help stand me up and keep me above water.

For more see Jonathan and his armor bearer in 1 Samuel. Be with them Heart and soul.

In Christ
Michael Earl Jr.

Christmas Is.....

        There are a lot of things that we say and debate that Christmas is and isnt. As Christians, we all know that Jesus is Christmas. But even that doesnt seem to be good enough anymore. That does'nt even seem to be the debate anymore. The debate between Christians is how much Christmas is too much Christmas. How much Santa, or how many gifts, or what story do you tell, or blah blah blah. To all of this I say a resounding "WHO CARES".
        Christmas is love. Love is the purpose for His coming. Love is the purpose of our beginning. When I really began to think on this I understood the main purpose and there were no longer anymore debates. If you are telling your kids about Santa, use the purpose of Love. If you are giving gifts, give them with a purpose of Love. If you are with your family, by all means BE with them in Love.
        There are two things in life that have really taught me Love. One is Jesus. (of course this was an answer). The other is my family. I am so excited about this Christmas because no matter where I am and no matter who I am with I will BE ALL there at all times and sharing it with people that mean the most and sharing it with the ones I LOVE. I know all this sounds random and not the typical Christmas post but this is my heart. Make this Christmas a Christmas surrounded, saturated, and stained with LOVE.


Love
TEEJ

......On Friday

         Okay Okay Okay!!!!! I know I have skipped a few weeks and I know it isn't Thursday but I have been "busy". Classes are finally over and the break has begun. I am in Paris currently with friends and leaving in the morning for DC. Rach and I will pick up some hitch hikers on the way.

          In life you are constantly meeting new people. You constantly lose and form relationships. We put a lot of stock in people and who we think they are and who they might be. God has always put people in my life at the right time for what I need. There are those who are here for a season and those who are there for a lifetime. Its easy to differentiate between the two. You confide in the ones who are there for a lifetime and confirm those who are there for a season. No matter the reason God put them there for a reason. God is always working through His people. This calls me to a higher responsibility. Who is God speaking to through me. Josephs life was not an easy one. He did not choose to be put in the life of Potiphar's family but God placed him there and He was with Joseph. Potiphar's house was blessed because of the faithfulness of Joseph. Who is being blessed, OR who isn't being blessed because of your faithfulness or lack there of? Don't make relationships and don't form them. They are from God and He will bless them if you are obeying Him. All relationships should be overshadowed by The relationship between you and God.

Happy Friday
TEEJ

Dear Me Part Deux

Dear 18 year old, full of yourself, crazed with the spotlight me,

        You are not making your best decisions right now. Actually, this is a understatement. You are on a path to ruin your life and shame your family and relationship with Christ. You still have your compassion and a heart for others but it has been fogged over by the desire to be the coolest smoothest guy in town. Everyone knows your name and they know where you come from. YOU HAVE THEM ALL FOOLED.

     Your family is the most important thing in your life and you are going to forget that. You will say things to them you will dread in your future days and you will hurt them more than you know. You are not better than the rest of your family and you have no right to think so. You are soon going to realize what great parents you have and you will quit treating them like crap. They are gonna give you several instructions and you are going to ignore them. YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE IGNORED THEM. No matter what happens with your sisters and no matter what happens to your relationship, they are your sisters. Nothing will ever change that and you are going to love them more and more as life continues. 

You and Dad are about to become best of friends. You are going to be able to talk to him about anything. You should have took advantage of this a long time ago. He has advice for you that will change your life forever. You will begin to get close to him as soon as he gets a brain tumor ha. NO MORE WASTED TIME. 

  Relationships..................... ah man. Where to begin ha. You think you need to be married in two years and you are going to force an engagement that is not needed. You think its all you want but in reality it will destroy you. It really is not her, it is you. Quit hurting girls. You think you will be the greatest husband/dad in the world an you have SOOOOOOOOOO much to learn. You dont need to be married then. That time will come. You will find who God has for you not for who you want. God's wants will become your wants. QUIT WORRYING! SLOW DOWN!

   Man you are about to be so blessed with great friends and great jobs and great opportunities. You will take it all for granted sometimes and you will let worry take over your future too many times. The essentials to remember: God is everything, He is all that matters and what He wants for you. Serve Him with all you have. Friends will come and go. Recognize the ones that will always be there and confide in them. Family. Love them with all you have. Take care of all their needs and support them. One thing that will always remain the same through every year of your life is that God sent His son for you out of His great love. He died for you and rose from the grave for you. He chose you to be his SON. Live like it.

PS. Peyton will mean more to you than you know. Your influence could change his life. Take the responsibility heavily.

In Christ

TJ Earl