SO... I really wanted to try to share/express what transpired this year. It’s hard for me to communicate everything that took place, so I created this little compilation of art pieces/doodles I made throughout the year that will hopefully help tell the story.

Intro:

Called out of Darkness

Three years ago I began the process of leaving behind worldly passions and desires for the wholehearted pursuit of God’s will as I checked into drug treatment. “The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.” 1 John 2:17

In August 2006-07, I went through my first year of the Honor Academy in Garden Valley, Texas and it was the most challenging year of my life as I was stripped of all the comforts I settled behind.“An ideal way out for his soul struggling from the darkness of worldly wickedness towards the light of love...”

Chapter 1: Bondservant Jake

My second year with Teen Mania at the campus in Bloomington began last August 2007 in a mentorship role as well as a student at Bethany. I was required to choose a theme for my core group I was mentoring and so I chose ‘Bondservants’. In Galatians 1:10, the apostle Paul says, “Do I know seek to please me? If I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.” Unbeknownst to me, the theme of being solely devoted to God’s ways, in the similitude of a bondservant’s devotion to his master (Exodus 21:5-6), would be consistent throughout my year, even through the darkest nights.

Chapter 2: Anxiety Attacks Jake!

Maybe it was the pressure of trying to be a leader, or perhaps having to fundraise the $7,200, whatever it was, I lost grip on hope. Life became a constant struggle and I had such trouble expressing myself, my heart was restless, and I was on the brink of giving up more than I’d like to admit. I had no peace and my mind was chaos.

“it’s not a normal reaction to panic like a frenetic frantic manic maniac.”

Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression. Proverbs 12:5

Chapter 3: The Walls are Broken Down: Spiritual Depression.

Hopelessness, despair, desolate, barrenness are fitting descriptions to how I felt throughout the first chunk of the year. My prayer was out of Psalm 13:

How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever?
How long will You hide Your face from me?
How long shall I take counsel in my soul,
Having sorrow in my heart daily?

I could’ve easily turned and ran from the pain and loneliness, like I had so many times in the past. Yet, amid the constant pressure and spiritual depression, a new resound rose up in my heart; remain LOYAL.

Chapter 4: After even the longest winter comes Spring!

Something beautiful happened this spring, I’m not exactly sure how, but God made a way, I found peace. I decided to believe that God loves me with unfailing love; that Jehovah is a Good Shepherd. So, I began to spend hours in silence not doing anything religious, but rather simply chilling, resting and wa

iting for the voice of the Father. Psalm 62:1 “Truly my soul waits silently for God.” The spring was full of so many awesome experiences that I believe were a fruit of resting in God’s control. Jesus says, “He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit.”John 15:5

Chapter 5: A Tree Planted by Streams of Living Water.

My future hopes, dreams, and passions all come from the valuable lesson in Psalm 1.

“Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.”

I also discovered a passion which is a direction I want to head in the future. I want to be a teacher some day. Specifically, a Bible teacher. I want to pursue deeper studies of the Bible, especially the Old Testament.

The story is to be continued. I am thankful for the lessons I have learned and the people who God has used to teach me. Thank you for viewing a segment of my experience.

Peace!