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PDizzle17
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Name: Patrick
Country: United States
State: California
Birthday: 3/17/1985
Gender: Male
Interests: Really, what constitutes an interest? What is there in life which can't be exciting.....except dogs, sheesh.
Expertise: I have a PhD in Mike Erwin Commentology....
Occupation: Research and development
Industry: Real Estate
Message: message me
AIM:  PDizzleCAC
Member Since:
6/6/2003
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| You know... I believe I have realized why I love hearing Switchfoot songs so much. I enjoy the music and lyrics, granted, but there is something special for me. I listened to the Learning to Breathe album A LOT during my time at Bible College in England. Every time I hear a song, I am reminded of so many sweet memories. Sitting in my second-story flat looking outside the window at the city wall across the street, listening to people in the old garage talking, playing pool and ping pong, walking to Parliament Street through Coppergate with my Walkman CD player in my jacket pocket, the thought that I had a Bible class in 20 minutes, the incredible group of people I was blessed to be there with... a true semblance to a family, a body of Christ. I remember these things. I remember how I felt at those moments. I remember the sights, the smells like a portal opens up to the past for those short 4 minutes. And then I am back here again. 5 years later in Ontario, California. God has not changed. He has continued to lead me on an incredible journey. He reveals new things and wonders to me. He is faithful, loving, kind, merciful, patient, forgiving, long-suffering, all-powerful, caring, and always available. I have an amazing family. My parents, my brothers, my sister-in-law, my nieces and nephews who I love so much, my co-workers, my friends (ones that have been there with me through it all and ones that encourage me every week). I live such a fortunate life. I hope to walk worthy of the calling with which I was called. | | |
| It's amazing how time flies. Think of the days, the weeks, the months, the years that the Lord has sustained us. Why do we hold back? Why are we so half-hearted or hesitant? So selfish and untrusting. Why do we take the cheap fix instead of the rich reward? Obedience is better than sacrifice. His love is richer...
I have always liked this Switchfoot song.
Hello, good morning, how ya do?
What makes your rising sun so new?
I could use a fresh beginning too
All of my regrets are nothing new
So this is the way
that I say that I need You
This is the way
This is the way
That I'm learning to breathe
I'm learning to crawl
I'm finding that You and
You alone can break my fall
I'm living again, awake and alive
I'm dying to breathe in these abundant skies
Hello, good morning, how ya been?
Yesterday left my head kicked in
I never thought I could fall like that
Never knew that I could hurt this bad
I'm learning to breathe
I'm learning to crawl
I'm finding that You and
You alone can break my fall
I'm living again, awake and alive
I'm dying to breathe in these abundant skies
So this is the way
that I say that I need You
This is the way
That I say I love You
This is the way
That I say I'm Yours
This is the way
This is the way
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| Ephesians 3:14-21
"14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height-- 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen."
Give It All Away -- Aaron Shust
Search my heart, search my mind, search my soul
Make me clean, make me new, make me whole
All of my plans, all of my dreams, I lay them down before Your feet
All of my time, all that was mine, I now submit to Your design
'Cause you are the one only one that give it all away for me
that give it all away for me
You are my strength, You are my God, you are my King
You make me laugh, You make me dance, You make me sing
All of my plans, all of my dreams, I lay them down before Your feet
All of my time, all that was mine, I now submit to Your design
'Cause you are the one only one that dared to give it all away for me
that give it all away for me (give it all away..)
Everything inside, everything outside, I give it all away
You never change, but You rearrange my heart more everyday
All of my plans, all of my dreams, I lay them down before Your feet
All of my time, all that was mine, I now submit to Your design
All of my plans, all of my dreams, I lay them down before Your feet
All of my time, all that was mine, I now submit to Your design
'Cause You are the one who can make my life complete
You are the one who can give light to my feet
You are the one, Only one who that give it all away for me
that dared to give it all away for me...
that dared to give it all away
that dared to give it all away for me...
that dared to give it all away for me...
Search my heart, search my mind, search my soul
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| Here are some things I've been up to:
1. Learning Farsi (Persian, Iranian language). I always have loved languages and am usually pretty torn on what to be studying. However, both my boss and co-worker are Persian so I get the benefit of learning and practicing at work, so I have put Japanese on hold for the time being.
2. Cleaning / re-organizing. My apartment tends to go through cycles of cleanliness and disgusting squalor (currently more towards the latter).
3. Considering places to move. I'm not leaving the state or anything, but my brother has long since hated where we live. How do I say... my apartment has a certain homey gangsta' flavor to it. I have never minded it, but both my best friend and brother have always remarked about it. Anyways, I'm looking at different houses or areas I could move to in the next few weeks.
4. Reading Ephesians. Just started, but let me tell you... first chapter = delicious. I recently came across it in doing a devo for a camping trip I went on with a few friends. Since then I finished Galatians in my personal devos and started on this book. It's almost like cake that is too sweet or love that is just overpowering. I think it would take years to begin to truly absorb it.
5. Exercising?? I haven't really exercise in years / my whole life? Consequently, I fear my disgusting metabolism and ability to comfortably eat 6,000 calories daily with ever gaining weight may be winding down. My dress clothes have just started getting snug. My first strategy - not change my diet a bit and start flexing my awesome muscles to the fear of women and children. More extreme measures may follow...
6. Hanging out with my bro. Speaking of which, he has just returned home so I will be going for now. Take care guys. | | |
| Well, the last month and a half has been even better. The richness of the Lord is without limit. I feel like I am beginning to walk again in a way I haven't since I was in Bible College and surrounded by other Christians.
I feel like God has been leading me into a deeper relationship with him. There is nothing "extra" I have done... I think the major difference has been actually doing less. Trying to serve myself less, serve my own interests, self-image, pride, success. I find that for everything I am willing to give over to the Lord, the Lord only gives me better. I still find myself being selfish and prideful and pulling control away from God, but God is faithful to bring me back to my knees, to the cross, to the reality of His greatness in my life and this world. It is incredible to experience more of the "abundant life". I enjoy worship more, messages more, prayer so much more. At the same time I see struggles and the harshness of this broken world around me and it makes me think of God's protection, His refuge, His provision, His faithfulness in the darkest times and hours. It is mind blowing what God sustains us through, glory to Him.
There is a song playing on the radio nowadays with a lyric that says,
"Empty me of the selfishness inside
Every vain ambition and the poison of my pride
And any foolish thing my heart holds to
Lord empty me of me so I can be filled with you."
I feel like that is the adventure I am on now. Learning what it means to serve, to let go of my resistance, to be available to the Lord when I don't want to. The poison of my pride... that verse rings so true for me. Something else that has been incredible is just reading the Bible. The last few days I have stop "powering" through a chapter in the morning. Instead, I am just dwelling in the richness of a few verses. Really taking my time to read it, understand it, appreciate it. That has been a true blessing. Well, I fear I may be sounding more spiritual than I am. I am a work in progress and this is a joy to share with you guys. I hope all is well with you and please let me know if any of you need prayers for anything. I love the body of Christ and what God desires us to be for each other. Hope to write again soon. Thanks for the encouragement Ray.
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