A Thought

    I have been quiet on this blog for a while now (some of you are perfectly okay with that) but I am breaking that silence tonight.  I have been learning something recently that I just cannot help but to share.  It all started when I got to have a very good conversation with a friend of mine who encouraged me to listen to a series of pod casts by Andy Stanley titled "Christian"

    When you just read that word, Christian, something came to your mind.  That word is a heavy word as it carries a million different meanings for each individual person.  Some of us wear that word as a badge of honor, some of us cling to it as we put our identity in Christ, others get angered by that word, and so on.  Depending on my mood or immediate circumstances my definition of it changes.  That word has been used to start wars, to rip apart friendships and relationships, to put ourselves a step above others, and to negatively categorize a body of believers.  But why do we as Christ followers call ourselves that?   

    Stanley, in his pod cast "Christian: Part 1" points out that the word Christian, which is such a heavy word in our language today, was only used in the New Testament of the Bible three times.  That Jesus did not call his followers Christians but in reality, after the death of Christ, non believers used the word to describe those who were following Christ.  That word was derived by a need for a label.  And I believe that we still use that word to label, both positively and negatively.  

    Opher, what is your point?  Well, I have learned through Stanley and more importantly, through scripture and prayer that Jesus wants us to be disciples.  DISCIPLES.  That word scares a lot of us who say we are Christians.  because we know in our hearts that being a disciple is submitting fully to Christ.  Giving our lives fully to him and fully living in the way he has asked us to.  Being a Christian is so much easier.  To be a Christian we need to show up to church, give some money away, say a few prayers, and try not to judge other Christians and non Christians (although we know deep down that we will still be doing this).  But to be a disciple takes our following Christ to a whole new level.  In fact, what Jesus commands us to do as disciples in him is this: 

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."  John 13: 34-35 

    His new commandment is that we love one another!  It is nothing that we would expect as the new commandment.  But yet, Jesus tells us that loving one another is the sign of a true disciple of Christ, one who loves others. 

    Just imagine what our loves and our world would look like if we followed that commandment.  We can know a lot about Jesus and God and completely miss Jesus all together if we are not loving one another.  There are a ton of people who know a lot about Jesus but know nothing of being a disciple of Christ, they completely miss out because they lack the Love that God gives us.  The reason why the word Christian is so heavy and has a ton of negative connotations associated with it is because as a body of believers we do not do this very well.  Can we really argue this?  If a gay couple walks into your church are you immediately overcome by love for them or are you angry that they would walk together through those doors?  If we know someone who has hurt others through adultery or violence, are we willing to truly love them still?  If someone tells us that Christians are contradicting, judgemental, elitists, are we overcome by love for them or are we ready to lash out with our tongues (or fists) to "prove them wrong"?    

   John, who was one of the first disciples of Christ, saw a lot of crazy crap go down in his life.   He saw many, many, many, believers in Christ killed and persecuted for following Christ but yet he still has this to say:

"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.  Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love."  1 John 4:7-8

"Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love."

Stop and consider those words for a few moments.

    Stanley, in his pod cast, goes on to say that sometimes we need to quit Christianity to truly follow Christ.  And that following Christ does not always mean following his followers.  God calls us to so much more.  A life promised to be full of Love, and to accept that life is to Love.  He ends his message with this:  Most of us came to know Christ because we experienced the Love of God from someone.  They Loved us and did not condemn us for our sins.  They were and are true disciples of Christ. 

    I know this is true in my life.  I did not come to meet Christ because I was going to church every Sunday.  In fact I was scared of the church because of the message I perceived they were telling me.  But I met Christ because Grant Reed and then Scott Quay showed me what His love looks life.  They took those words that Jesus spoke and then those words that John spoke and applied it to their lives.  Because of that I saw Christ's love.  They are disciples of Christ, not just simply Christians.  

   So friends, let us forget that word "Christian" and go live as Jesus has called us to. Let us be disciples who truly love one another!

In Christ,

Opher

    

For a Friend

Think life has given you all you can take / the cards dealt to you are no piece of cake / no exit in your sight / simply drowning and losing the fight / the pain seems to be so unreal / but yet at least you still feel / This world seems evil and unjust / That you think leaving it is a must / To end the pain / In your mind is to gain / How easy it would be to just dissolve / Oh but tell me what that solves / Oh friend I beg you not to hide / Allow me to stand by your side / I do not know your misery / But trust that I do have my own history / And in that you may just see / That there is no need to flee / You must know that you are never alone / And to discover life you must allow Love to be shown / The pain will not simply disappear / and it will take more than one tear / But put down the noose / and begin to set your demons loose / Break the chains that hold you tight / and do fight back with all your might / Join up with those who are all around / For your story is not an unfamiliar sound / This world is full of hurt / But together we can slowly wash away the dirt / Oh friend please hear my plea / I just want you to truly see / That even in the darkest hour / there is no need to climb that tower / I know you think that you cannot cope / but truly I say to you there is hope / For life is not meant to be this way / So step down with little delay / Come join your army of allies / and let us show you where hope lies / Oh friend just look to heaven above / and there there you will find Love

A Summer Reflection

     As summer is coming to an end I find myself looking back on the past few months.  Going into the summer I had just finished my first year of teaching, had been leading Young Life at Bowsher HS for a few months, and was looking forward to a trip to Colombia.  I was very excited to continue to receive pay checks even though I was not actually working.  Since I was not working, I figured I would have a ton of time to take trips, fish, and finally finish my first book/novel.  Well I learned that the more time I had free, the more time I wasted.
    Now, I did do a lot this summer.  A week at Young Life Camp with Bowsher, a week in Colombia helping at a Young Life Camp there, I was tutoring three days a week, coaching soccer, and of course hanging out with my high school friends as often as I could.  When I was home or had a day or two free, I just simply wanted to be lazy and thus I did not fish or hike, I only added about 15 pages to my book I am attempting to complete.  And then I pretty  much deleted those 15 pages about a week later...
     But as I sit here writing this blog, I am very happy with how my summer turned out.  Although all the "Opher-Things" I wanted to do did not happen, I still had an incredible summer.  Ministry is extremely important to me.  Since falling in Love with Christ in high school I have always felt my heart pulling me towards ministry.  When I first started leading Young Life in college I thought ministry was simple.  I lead Young Life which means I hang out with kids a couple days a week and go to a weekly meeting.  That is my ministry.  The rest of my time is my time.  Well that out look ended up with me nearly losing my faith a few years ago simply because I viewed it as a job or obligation.
    But God, as loving and gracious as he is, kept tugging on my heart.  And through conversations with friends, books I read, and circumstances I encountered, he really taught me and showed me what it truly means to live in Christ.  He taught me and continues to teach me that ministry is not just an organization we volunteer for, it is not only a day of the week where we sing songs and shake hands, it is not just something we write a check for.  No, ministry is our life.  Every aspect of our life is our ministry.  Now volunteering for Christian organizations is great, and tithing to your church and charities is important.  But I have learned that it is not fully what God has designed us for.
   See, I had all these great ideas for my summer, by they were for the most part selfish ideas.  Thankfully God continued to steer me in the right direction.  When I was in Toledo I got to spend a lot of time just hanging out with high school kids.  I got to truly live life with them, they got to see that even when we do not have Young Life activities I am still here for them and that I still love Jesus.  I hope they got to see that they are not just a time card I stamp but they are my ministry.  As I spent countless hours in the sun yelling at the kids on Bowsher's soccer team to run harder or to "get on the line", I trust that because of Christ, the kids see something different in me.  And when I am sitting around my bachelor pad I often get an urge to call up some of the kids and hang out.  Not because I feel obligated to do so as a YL leader, but because I truly want to be sharing life with them.
    I am not sitting here saying that I am some awesome Christian because I spend soooooo much time with kids.  Because in reality I could certainly be spending more time.  I could be praying a heck of a lot more, I could be spending a lot more time in the Word.  I am simply trying to say this: ministry is our life and our life is ministry.  I do hope that I can be a Young Life leader for a very long time.  I want to be the old guy with a wife and kids but still be leading YL and hanging out with high school friends as much as I do now.  And if Young Life were to disappear tomorrow, I trust that through Christ I will still be living this same lifestyle and still hanging out with the kids.
    I think that too often we see ministry as an obligation or something that we do while we are single and in college.  But why?  Let ministry be our entire lives.  One day I am going to find a girl that I am going to fall in love with and I am going to marry that girl.  And honestly, I have a feeling that I will find that girl only when I am so lost in pursuing God and loving kids that she just kind of blind sides me.  But I am not going to quit doing my ministry.  It will look different, but I trust that my life will still be focused on loving Christ and loving people.  And in the end that is what we must always do.  Love Christ and love people.

My trip to Colombia

     For those of you who are Facebook friends with me, you have probably seen a lot of posts and pictures about my trip to Colombia with Young Life Expeditions.  I went a little Facebook crazy when I got back.  Although probably annoying for some of you, it is because I was so excited to share about my trip.  And still, two weeks later, people are still asking me about my trip.  That is awesome, because it means that I truly did have the support and care of my friends while down there.

   I wanted to write a post about the trip just anyone who wants can read about it.  So, I will try and keep it simple and on point.  But here it goes.

   GOD is incredible.  The fact I even went on the the trip and the fact that I raised way more money than I needed for the trip is all thanks to God.  I was very nervous going down there but my nerves very quickly went away.  I flew from Detroit to Atlanta where I got on my flight for Bogota, Colombia.  On that flight were three of my teammates; Eric, and the Sweetings, Kristin and James.  Once I saw and met them, my nerves were gone and I got really excited.  Once we landed in Colombia the Young Life staff and leaders there treated us so well.  They picked us up at the airport and took us to the apartment that a family let us use for our time down there.  When we got there we met the rest of our team; Thomas, Haylie, Morgan, and Russell.  We also met several YL leaders there as well.  They were all so excited that Gringos came to help them with their YL camp.  

   The first two days we were there we got to tour the city of Bogota.  And I am pretty sure we saw every bit of the city.  It felt like we walked like 20 miles each day.  But Juan Pablo, Ivan, and Joaco and the other Colombian leaders were so excited to share with us their culture and city.  And I did love the city.  It kind of felt like Chicago or NYC.  There were people every where.  I was a little bit over whelmed but the beauty of it all helped keep me relaxed.  One of the evenings we got to attend a meeting that all of their YL leaders were at.  We prayed together for camp and for kids.  That was one of my favorite parts of the trip.  We did about five different prayers, and for each we would pair up with a new partner and pray together for the topic.  Well, I do not know Spanish and many of the leaders do not know English.  But through Christ, I understood their prayers, I understood their hearts for the kids.  It is hard to explain but it was evident that Christ would not let a language barrier get in the way of his love!

    While in Bogota, we experienced some pretty great things, but ask me about that another time.  For the sake of not writing a book I want to skip ahead to when we got to the camp.  Now for those of us who have been to a Young Life Camp in America, we immediately think of a multi-million dollar resort.  Well in Colombia, they do not have that luxury.  They rented out a small camp/vacation spot.  It was nestled on the side of a mountain with a river below.  It was beautiful, but from a Young Life program perspective, it was not ideal.  There were no flat areas for games or soccer. Juan Pablo, the speaker for the camp, was at first very frustrated and concerned.  But once the kids arrived we quickly realized that it was all good.  God would not allow for something as silly as not flat space or bugs in a swimming pool to get in the way of teenagers hearing about his Son.
    Pamela, one of the Colombian YL leaders who helped run the camp, shared with us Gringos the importance of us interacting with the campers.  She said that many of the campers have never seen Americans before, but if they saw that we came all this way to serve and love them, it would have a huge impact.  I was nervous about that, I wanted to be behind the scenes, but God did not want that.  So when the kids arrived I was immediately put in front of the campers as one of the "Gringo Security guards".  And during that first dinner I just went and sat at a table that had an open seat.  Thankfully one of the campers, Nick, knew English.  My experience at that dinner table helped calm the nerves.  These campers were just like my Young Life kids back at Bowsher H.S in Toledo.  They are kids searching for love and truth.
    As the camp went on, we did a lot of fun activities.  I got to white water raft, and we went on a cool creek hike.  The kids did a lot of organized games and activities as well.  But I kept seeing a common theme.  Community.  Unlike Young Life camps in America, it seemed like these kids wanted to always be together.  They did not want free time to run off.  They enjoyed each other.  They danced and sang.  They were always together.  That blew my mind.  That is a cultural difference from what I have experienced.  But it was awesome to see.
    During those four days at camp I got to know many of the campers, leaders, and staff pretty well.  Most of the time there was a language barrier.  I was always looking for someone who knew English to translate.  But over and over again God was telling me "I will not language be a barrier to these relationships I want you to have."  The kids shared all kinds of fun stories with me.  They were very curious about America.  Many of them have family here but have never came themselves.  They shared about their worries for the future.  They shared about their hobbies and favorite American music.  And by the end, they shared with me how they were very appreciative that I was there.  Two of the kids, who I hung out with the most but knew 0 English, even told me at the end "Gringo, friend."  Which meant a lot to me.
     Juan Pablo did an incredible job sharing the Gospel with the campers.  Although his club talks were in Spanish, some how I knew what he was saying.  In my heart, I knew exactly what he was communicating.  After his talks he would ask me what I understood, and most of the time I was spot on.  This is all Christ.  It reminded me of how when Christ  spoke to massive crowds with people of all nations and languages, they always understood what he had to say.
    Finally, the last story I want to share is perhaps the most important and meaningful interaction I had there.  To help run the program side of the camp (the funny skits) they invited two Young Life Staff/leaders from Venezuela, Kelvin and Pedro.  These guys were about my age and were hilarious!  But one morning I was wearing my Young Life Capernaum shirt.  Capernaum is YL's ministry for kids with severe disabilities.  It is very unique and one of the few ministries geared towards that population.  Well Kelvin saw the shirt and got very excited.  We quickly yelled for Karla, our translator for that conversation, to come over.   Kelvin then shared with me that his brother has severe physical and mental disabilities.  And that it is his dream and that he prays every day that YL Capernaum could be started in Venezuela so that his brother could experience the love of Christ.  Anyone who has read my blog in the past knows that I feel the same way about the Ministry.  I too want nothing more than to see Capernaum in every community.  Our mutual love for those with disabilities bonded Kelvin and I together.  Our friendship is deep and rooted in Christ because of that conversation.  I even gave him my shirt in hopes that him wearing it in his home nation will get the conversation started.
    So, I blabbed on a bit here.  But simply put, my trip was incredible.  I learned that teens are teens not matter their culture or country.  That Young Life works so well around the world because Christ is center of our ministry.  And finally I learned that Christ will not allow cultural or language barriers to get in the way of his love or relationships being formed in His name.
Thank you for reading!
-Opher, AKA the Loco Gringo.

As I Stare Out Upon the World

As I stare out upon the world I see your face through the crowd  
With a mute expression
You walk on, you walk on 
Camouflaged as a ghost at Halloween 
No one sees, Yet no one is meant to see
But as I stare out upon the world I see your face through the crowd
And I ponder your story
Through pain and despair, happiness and joy
Oh what is your story, Oh what is your story  
As I stare out upon the world I see your face through the crowd 
I wish to reach out, hold your hand 
Let us engage in conversation 
We can laugh until midnight, we can cry until tomorrow
As I stare out upon the world I see your face through the crowd 
But then you are gone 
Lost in the rush that is life  
Leaving me with only a memory, perhaps even a bit of regret
As I stare out upon the world I wish to see your face through the crowd 
But time has moved, The moment is in the past  
Oh what could have been, Oh what could have been  
As I stare out upon the world I wish to see your face through the crowd  
We could have had it all
The glory of friendship, the pain of heartbreak 
Or maybe, just maybe 
A sunset to disappear in with hands held tight
As I stare out upon the world
I wish, oh how I wish 
That I could simply see you through the crowd

Life Lessons from an Opher

     Well friends, it has been a bit since I have posted on the old blog.  That makes me sad so it is time to fix that.  I have a lot of crazy good things going on in the life that I would love to share about.  Mainly that God is the man.  He is simply incredible and there really is no other way to spin it.
     I just finished up my first year as a teacher, and no, I did not get fired.  My first year was absolutely insane.  First, I had no clue what I was getting into when I accepted a Multiple Disability/Medically Fragile assignment.  I was terrified at first that I would hurt the students or break them.  But I quickly learned that yes they do have significant special needs and medical needs, but they are just like you and me.  As the year went on I loved my job more and more.  Each day I got to see some pretty incredible young men and women live their lives to the full.
    The year did present some very difficult situations.  One of my fellow teachers and a mentor to me for the first couple months of the school year suddenly passed away.  That was tough, not only for the staff but for our students.  Our students do not really understand death but they did understand that Mrs. Marrianne was no longer with us.  But I will say that even though I only taught with her for a couple of months, she taught me the most important lesson I can ever learn as a teacher.  She taught me to approach our students with joy and love.  To not let the fear of their death or health hold us back, but to instead embrace every moment we have with our students.  And that, I will never forget.
     I tell you what, there is just something inspiring about how my students live.  They have been dealt a very rough set of cards but yet you can not tell that by watching them.  The joy they take in the smallest of things is inspiring.  When Christ tells us to have a child like faith, I see that faith in my students.  When they are happy we know, when they are angry we know.  They know that their survival is dependent on others and they live in a way that shows that.  To me that is a great example of how I need to live.  My life is ultimately in God's hands, he sent his son so that I may have life.  But yet I do not live in that way.  My students reminded me of that each and everyday.
    Today I started a home instruction case with Little D who is in our primary class.  Now, if I had favorites he would be one of them.  I often sneaked down to his classroom on my planning breaks to visit him.  His smile and joy is so infectious.  When I walked into his house today he kind of gave me a look that said "What is a teacher doing in my house!?" But within a few minutes he was laughing and staring at me with those huge eyes of his.  He was pretty much saying, "here I am Mr. Chris, lets have a good time".  To me, that is life!  That is life!
    I just got back from Young Life Camp with my dudes from Bowsher HS.  There were about 500 HS kids at this camp for the week.  And what I got to witness with my guys and with the other campers was life being lived out how it was meant to be lived.  Just as my students display a joy in their lives, these high school kids were living with a joy that you do not always see.
    I guess to wrap things up here I will say this, live life with a child like joy and faith.  I am blessed to get to witness that lifestyle because of my job and role as a Young Life Leader.  But really, I do not often live how my my students do.  But that is how Christ intended us to live!  
   I could go on and on about the crazy stuff God is doing in my life.  But I will stop here and save more for a future post.  I love y'all.
Opher
   

An Update on Columbia!

      So, most if not all of you know that I am going to Columbia this summer for 8 days with Young Life Expeditions.  I am going down there as a volunteer to help Young Life Columbia run a summer camp for local teens.  I have no clue what my specific jobs will be when I get there, I just know that I will be assisting in whatever capacity they need me to.  This could include helping with meals, run activities, house keeping, ect.
    I am extremely excited for this opportunity.  I very nearly chickened out right before I sent in my deposit for the trip.  I am a little nervous and anxious about leaving the country and going way out of my comfort zone.  But ultimately I know God was pushing me to do so, to take a step of faith for him.  God has used Young Life in my life in huge ways.  He used the ministry to give me life, to show me Love, and to teach me how to live.  I am excited to give back to the ministry of Young Life and be a tool for Christ as he uses this ministry to reach teens across the world!
    My biggest reservation/fear about this trip was the financial commitment.  I need to raise about $2,000 to go.  That amount does not seem very large for a week long trip out of the country, but for me, I almost pooped my pants thinking about it.  I HATE asking for money, I HATE relying on other people.  In college I had to ask people for financial help at times and it drove me insane, and I knew this experience would also do so.  BUT it has not.  God has really been showing me that it is okay to let others help.  He has shown me that although it is me who is going down, the people who are supporting me have a large part in this and His greater plan!
    With that, the Lord is providing and thanks to some great friends I have raised about 50% of my goal!!!  And there are still several people who are supporting me that have not given me a physical check yet.  That is ridiculous!  And it greatly humbles me!
    Essentially, I just wanted to give a quick update about my trip.  And I wanted to shout praise to the Lord for being so awesome.  The people who are supporting me through financial giving, prayer, or both mean so much to me.  When I am in Columbia, they will be there as well!  So thank you to my friends!  And I look forward to writing a post about being fully funded with Airplane tickets booked!
Thanks!
For His Glory,
Opher

Sharing Some Thoughts

 I love to write.  It frees my thoughts, mind, and soul.  Tonight I started reading through some stuff that I have written over the years.  I am constantly surprised at some of the stuff that my tiny mind has produced.  Not that it is any poetic masterpiece or that it is even all that good.  But that when I read it, I can see where my heart was in that moment, I can feel the emotion coming out of me and can hear what I am trying to say to the Lord.  

I just wanted to share some that caught my attention tonight.

Hold me tight

Oh my Love tonight

Just be here with me

For when Hell breaks free

And oh it will indeed

But you are all I could ever need

So do hold me tight

Oh my Love tonight

_________________________

Write me a love song

One that saves my soul

Gives me life

Shows me grace

Loves unconditionally

I said Write me a love song

One that saves my soul

Gives me life

Shows me Grace

Loves unconditionally

Oh won’t you write me this love song

For I need it so

Down deep in my soul

This love song I know

This love song I know

One that saves my soul

Gives me life

Shows me grace

Loves unconditionally

Wont you, Wont you, wont you

Write me a love song

Just write me a love song

______________________

Take my hand, hold it tight.  
Walk with me into the Glorious light.
Together we are one with love
For always and forever
Take my hand, hold it tight.
Walk with me into the Glorious light.
Side by side we move along
Confident in who we are
Take my hand, hold it tight.
Walk with me into the Glorious light.
By faith we love through it all.
For life is love and love is all
Take my hand, hold it tight
Walk with me into the Glorious light
Never turning back to the past
We are new and one with love
Take my hand, hold it tight
Walk with me into the glorious light.
Walk with me into the glorious light.

____________________________

Be here with me now

As I know you always are

Sit with me on this stone

As the breeze chills my bones

Watch the river flow on by

The sun slowly setting

As I sit here and truly seek

Quiet me and simply speak

I beg for guidance

Answers to my questions

But know that I know not

So I truly seek your thought

Forgive me for disobedience

I am but a sinful man

I ask only for your grace

And that one day I see you face to face

So for now my beloved friend

Come join me in this place

Hold me tight as I confess

To you who truly knows best

So be here with me now

As I know you always are

Sit with me on this stone

As this breeze chills my bones

_________________________

Back from the Abyss

      I have not blogged in a while.  That is in part due to my old computer not being reliable at all, so I stayed off of it for the most part.  Also, for whatever reason, I just found nothing to write on.  But I am back now and it is a great joy to be typing right now.

     I wanted to share some stuff that has been going on in my life since I last posted in January.  This could go either way.  The selfish part of me wants to complain about somethings, but in my heart, I just want to shout praise to the Lord for what he as been doing.

    Firstly, about a month ago I was placed to lead Young Life at Bowsher High School.  I had not led for about a year or so and was deep in prayer about doing so again.  Thankfully, the Lord put that on the heart of my area director as well.  And it has been incredible to get going again.  Just being a club and getting to meet high school kids has been incredible.  I have met some great guys, and I hope to gain solid friendships with them and act as a light of the Lord as he works in their lives.  Getting to help high schoolers experience the Love of Christ is honestly the best thing I could imagine ever doing.

    Secondly, I will be going to Bogota, Columbia this summer for a week.  Once there, I will be helping Young Life to run a summer camp for Colombian teens.  I am very anxious about this, but trust in the Lordś calling on my heart.  I am in the process of fund raising, which I am not very keen on doing.  But the Lord is showing me so much and teaching me show much through this process.  And I really cannot wait until July 1st to arrive so I can go on this expedition!

    Those are two great things going on in my life.  And I am so thankful for what the Lord is doing.  But He has also been teaching me that even through disappointment, He is there.  That even when what I want does not work, He is there and He is working.  This weekend, I took a big risk and it did not work out.  Or at least that was my attitude at first.  But throughout the past two days, with lots of prayer, I have realized that it did work out.  What I wanted did not happen, but I fully believe the Lord wanted me to take that risk.  He is teaching me through this disappointment.  He is showing me that what I want may not be best for me. That he has something so much better.  And that is hard to believe at times but it is truth.

    So to put it simply, it is okay for me to feel disappointment and some hurt, but it is very important for me to trust in the Lord.  I was mad at him, I yelled at him, I cussed him out, I felt that he betrayed me.  But he did not.  And the next time I have to take a similar risk, I feel that I will be more ready.  And He is going to deliver me something even better!  I trust in that, because His plans for me are good.

    Friends, in times of disappointment and hurt, look to the Lord.  Find Him, and stick to him.  And remember that what we want may not be what we need.  The Lord will provide for our needs.