Nathan Michael Singo

God works in painful, yet wonderful ways.

On April 19th, 2011, my best bud was taken from me.  It seems like a lifetime ago, but then again it seems like just yesterday.  The pain level has definitely decreased, but it is still there.  I'm not sad for him, I'm sad for me.  Yes, it's selfish.  But I think I'm allowed to be selfish if I just lost him.  Anyways, at his funeral service, so many people went forward to the altar to accept Christ.  This made Nate's death worth it.  More for the Kingdom!

Nate was a pastor's kid so he was used to the church setting.  The Sunday before he died though, he rededicated his life to Christ.  This bring tears to my eyes as I think about it.

Nate truly was a soldier for Jesus.  His legacy will go on forever and ever . I miss him so badly, but I'm getting used to the fact that my "Big Bro" isn't here in person any more.  The only thing I know is that I will see him again, very soon, because I'm Heaven-bound!

Nate was always a blessing to me.  He always had a beautiful smile on his face.  As the tears run down my face, I sit here thinking of the many times I got a heartwarming hug from him; all of the times that he made my day so much brighter just by saying that he had my back.

I've heard some people say that this was the devil's doing.  In some ways, one could argue that.  But I personally think it was all God's doing!  He was finished with Nate here.  And it was time for Nate to go Home.  That Tuesday did not catch God by surprise.  It was part of the huge plan He's got.  Yeah, it's soo hard losing someone, but the hope that we have that we WILL see him again!!!!!

I am looking forward to seeing Natey again, but I'm more looking forward to seeing my Jesus! Nate can wait. I want to see my savior face to face! Isn't that going to be awesome?! I'm so comforted by that!

I miss my sweetheart, but I'll see him very very soon.

I love you Nate! <3

• "You're in a better place, I've heard a thousand times
  And at least a thousand times, I've rejoiced for you
  But the reason why I'm broken, the reason why I cry
  Is how long must I wait to be with you"
       -Homesick by Mercyme
• Hebrews 11:1- "Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."
• "My heart will fly when I finally see You face to face
  And my tears will fly away, away"
       -My Heart Will Fly by Mercyme

Nathan Michael Singo

9/27/93-4/19/11

Always in my heart.

How Great Thou Art

Before youth group on Wednesdays, my friends and I usually go to Wendy's or McDonald's and the mall to hang out for a little while.  Well today a couple of my friends had to go to Giant Eagle.  As we were exiting the highway, my friend Kraig said "the sky looks really cool" (or something along those lines).  I looked up and saw a picture somewhat like this.

Now, this isn't my picture and I don't take credit for it.  But it was as beautiful as this.  Just as we came around the bend and I saw this, I heard the lyrics "Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee; How great Thou art, how great Thou art..." I had tears in my eyes because it looked like Heaven was peeking through the sky! 

I had a pretty bad weekend.  We had some family in town, so that made it a little better.  But at the end I was just very discouraged.  Then I realized that it's not about me.  It's about giving God the glory.  He's got wonderful plans for me to succeed!  And He does have plans that will bring along some suffering, but that's how we learn and grow!  But just getting a look at that sky made me think "Look how great You really are, God!"  

Although I was having a bad weekend, I was comforted with the thought that even though our God is that great, He still walks beside me every single day and cares for my well-being. It's awesome!  I hope you are comforted the same way that I was today.

• Jeremiah 29:11- "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord. "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you; plans to give you a hope and a future."
  
• Name above all names
  You are worthy of all praise
  My heart will sing "How great is our God"
     -How Great Is Our God by Chris Tomlin

Selfless

Becoming selfless is such a hard thing to do. I know from previous experience that it's easier said than done. I could spend all day saying "Don't be selfish!", but let's be honest, That's not going to work.

One thing that I've noticed from the many years of me reading my bible and studying and talking with God is that I am not here for me. So many people in this world think that they are here for themselves and to just boost themselves higher than everyone else. Unfortunately, they are 100% wrong.

I wish I could portray to everyone that God created you, and He put you in this world, (and He can take you out of it in the blink of an eye!!!). He's the Master of all. He's your Creator, and you are not worthy of Him. I'm not worthy of Him! No one is. But, He was gracious enough to save me, you, everyone so we can spend eternity with Him instead of the place of torture.

When I try to be selfless, I try to think of what I would want if I were the other person. There's that saying and verse "Do unto others...." and every time I have the decision that will benefit me or the other person, I try to think of these words and I try to do what will benefit the other person instead of me. It's a very hard thing to do; sometimes the other person won't even be appreciative or happy about the decision you've made. All in all, it glorifies God when you are selfless.


Being selfless is one really hard thing to do. I struggle; everyone does. Because it is human nature to be selfish and to only care about yourself. Let's take some time to reevaluate out lives and see just how selfish/selfless we are. If you step back and look, you can really see a difference!

• "I can't change the world, but I can live with open hands. And I can't change the world, but I can give all that I can. And I can pray and I can love. But when all is said and done, I can't change the world, but I can change the world for one." - Compassion by Rough Draft

Voices

Everyone hears voices in their heads. It's hard to differentiate the voices too. Sometimes I think I hear God speaking to me, but then it's just things that I want to hear. There's honestly no easy way to figure out which voice to listen to.

I've heard some many times, "Just follow your heart!" Well, sometimes your heart isn't where God wants it to be. Sometimes, too, you can hear Satan pretending to "show" you something. He's crafty, and he's like a snake. He gets you right when you are down, making something that look appealing when, in reality, it is disastrous! I've been hearing alot of voices lately. Some have been myself and my thoughts turning into "maybes." Some have perhaps been God and some have been the devil. It's so incredibly hard to focus and try to figure out what voice to listen to! All I have to say this evening is to listen to the Voice of Truth. Don't let anyone put you down for who you are and what you stand for. Don't let people do that to you. A, that's just not right..you deserve better. And B, God created everyone equally. The only one higher than us is Him!

Eleanor Roosevelt once said, "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." Hold onto that. If you're going through a hard time, all I can say is "Stop, Drop, and Pray." He's always there for you. He's a great listener. God also may say "wait" to you. And when/if He does, obey that. God may say "wait," but He never says "worry." You have nothing to be worried about, because NOTHING is impossible with God. If you're having trouble, listen to the Voice of Truth. It will always set you free from the ties that bind you.

This has cheered me up just thinking about it. I hope it does the same for you.

• "But the Voice of truth tells me a different story
  the Voice of truth says 'do not be afraid!'
  and the Voice of truth says 'this is for My glory'
  Out of all the voices calling out to me
  I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of truth" ~ Voice of Truth by Casting Crowns

• "You will be safe in His arms..." ~ Safe by Phil Wickham
  

A Tribute to Ally

So everyone has that one friend in his/her life that is their "life-changer" or someone who changes his/her thinking all around. My one friend is Ally. (Sorry Al, I had to give you a tribute!)

I met her at church camp in 2009, and since then she's been a sister, role model, mentor and friend to me. In our MANY conversations, we've discussed God, boys, school, and every other thing that teen girls talk about. When we talk about our relationships though, it's different. I used to tell her that I wish I had a boyfriend to make me "happy." She would always come back with the reasoning that God is the only one who can fill the hole in my empty heart. Just this week though, as she and I were talking, she said that if I never get married, have a boyfriend, or have anyone interested in me, I need to be okay with that. I needed to realize that God is the only thing that I will EVER need. And once I start realizing that (which I am in the process of), God will bless me beyond what I can imagine. Now, don't get me wrong; I've been blessed beyond words! If I would write out all of the blessings that come to my head, it would fill up an entire sheet of notebook paper front and back and probably more.

But all I need to remember is that God has my best interest in mind, and He will never do anything to harm me. In fact, He know the desires of my heart and He will give them to me just as long as I love and adore Him. (Psalm 37:4) So if you are going through something right now and you don't think that you'll ever be "happy", just try to remember that if you give it all up to God, and I mean ALL of it to Him, He'll bless you with things that you didn't even know you wanted! He will help you along your way too! His help is always with you! He says in Joshua that He will never leave you or forsake you! Live by that; Learn from it.
And I hope you all have that one person that you can love and count on like I do. Love you Ally!


Lord Bless You.

• "Maker of Heaven, Giver of Life. You are my strength, my song in the night. My refuge, my shelter, now and forevermore. My help comes from The Lord" ~ The Museum; My Help Comes From The Lord.

• "I lift my eyes unto the hills. Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, The Maker of Heaven and Earth." -Psalm 121:1,2

Lights

Did you ever notice how lights can be hidden? Have you ever seen how people can blow out lights so quickly? I have been thinking of this subject and I've come to the realization that this is just like a Christian's life. We have this incredible bright light shining for everyone to see and in one swoop someone comes and blows it out. And getting it back up again is like trying to light a match in the rain.

I think that getting your match started again can be hard. Picture this: You just get home from a youth group retreat. You are on a spiritual high! Everything in your life is going absolutely wonderfully. But when you get back into the swing of things, a co-worker or a class mate says something that totally lowers your self esteem. You're crushed. Who knows what they did, but it really really hurt you and you don't feel like going anywhere or doing anything. Then it's like suddenly someone blew out our light! They didn't add fuel to our fire, they threw water on it. You were in such a great mood, but someone says a simple thing like that.

I've been trying to think of ways to keep our light going. One way that I've thought of it this.. These people that you are temporarily here with on this earth share some interests with you. But when they do something like this, it really brings you down. Maybe sometime you could point this out to that person. Just say "hey, ya know that really brings my feelings down and it's kind of hurtful." or "I'd appreciate it if you would treat me better than that." I don't know.. Something like that! If you are good at letting things brush off your shoulders then by all means, let whatever people say just drift off of you!

Just make sure that a comment like said above doesn't get you down. I know it's hard, but God will get you through every little thing that you are going through. He says in Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

In all this, I'm trying to say that no matter what, keep your light shining strong and if someone tries to blow it out, don't let them! God will be with you on your journey. He'll never leave you, and that's a promise.