Trusting in God

So this has been on my heart for quite a while. I have been reading the Gospel of Mark. These 3 different stories popped out at me the most.

First is the story of the Feeding of the 5,000

Mark 6:30-44

³⁰ The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. ³¹ Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a q

³² So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. ³³ But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. ³⁴ When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.

³⁵ By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. “This is a remote place,” they said, “and it’s already very late. ³⁶Send the people away so that they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.”

³⁷ But he answered, “You give them something to eat.”

They said to him, “That would take more than half a year’s wages^{e]" style="font-size: 0.75em; line-height: 0.5em; ">[e]}! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?”

³⁸ “How many loaves do you have?” he asked. “Go and see.”

When they found out, they said, “Five—and two fish.”

³⁹ Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. ⁴⁰ So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. ⁴¹ Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. ⁴² They all ate and were satisfied, ⁴³and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. ⁴⁴ The number of the men who had eaten was five thousand.

This is one of the most popular bible stories in general. But I mean seriously you think after this the Apostles would trust in him and believe, nope it takes a couple more miracles before they really start to trust in him. I mean Jesus has done miracles before, this isn't like his first Miracle or anything.

Then Jesus does it again with feeding the 4,000.

¹ During those days another large crowd gathered. Since they had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to him and said, ² “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. ³ If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way, because some of them have come a long distance.”

⁴ His disciples answered, “But where in this remote place can anyone get enough bread to feed them?”

⁵ “How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked.

“Seven,” they replied.

⁶ He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. When he had taken the seven loaves and given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people, and they did so. ⁷ They had a few small fish as well; he gave thanks for them also and told the disciples to distribute them. ⁸ The people ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. ⁹ About four thousand were present. After he had sent them away, ¹⁰ he got into the boat with his disciples and went to the region of Dalmanutha.

¹¹ The Pharisees came and began to question Jesus. To test him, they asked him for a sign from heaven.¹² He sighed deeply and said, “Why does this generation ask for a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to it.” ¹³ Then he left them, got back into the boat and crossed to the other side.uiet place and get some rest.”

I find this story very funny. I mean seriously I love the the 4th verse "But where in this remote place can anyone get enough bread to feed them?” Seriously he just did the feeding of the 5,000 with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish. He has to feed a thousand less people he had 7 loaves of bread this time and a couple of small fish. I think this is a great reminder to all of us, that the Apostles weren't perfect either, and they were with Jesus and had seen him do Miracles before. Sometimes, we can think that the Apostles are nothing like us, because they were in a different time and such. But they are human like us, but they were with Jesus. It gets better though.

Jesus calls them out.

The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat. ¹⁵ “Be careful,” Jesus warned them. “Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod.”

¹⁶ They discussed this with one another and said, “It is because we have no bread.”

¹⁷ Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? ¹⁸ Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don’t you remember? ¹⁹ When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?”

“Twelve,” they replied.

²⁰ “And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?”

They answered, “Seven.”

²¹ He said to them, “Do you still not understand?”

I think this is one of my favorites excerpt from the bible. They apostles are like dang it we don't have enough bread for the trip. Jesus over hears them and is like really?? Really?? Did you not see me just feed 5,000 with only 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish and 4,000 people with only 7 loaves and some small fish. Do you really think I cant produce enough bread for the 13 of us with one loaf. This hit right home for me because, God has done so many amazing things in my life, but when something crazy comes up in my life I start to doubt God again and He is like really Bobby? Really? Did you not just see what I have done in your life, I have helped you overcome and you don't think I will be able you now in your time of need. Of course God comes through, I just need to be pointed in the right direction. It really opened my eyes to see that the Apostles who are right there with Jesus can have the same doubt as me.

Now as I go into Lent, this is a time to let go of that fear of God not being there for us and to not harden hearts for him, but for him to break the chains, and to set us free. Let him work in you and through you. God is with us and He Loves us.

I am going to be trying to a couple of blog posts a week for Lent.

God Bless

Your Brother in Christ

Bobby Tull

Why God Why??

Why God?

Why must I go through all of this pain?

Why God?

Why must I go through all of this suffering?

God I know your love.

I feel it no more.

Holy Spirit where is your flame??

I stand here, looking around.

On this hill, on this hill I stand looking.

Searching for that flame that once was inside.

I pray the prayer I say at Night

Come Holy Spirit.

Fill me, find me.

I am lost, and I need you!!

Lord where are you??

You Called and you Shouted!!

I still do not hear you!!

You broke through the Darkness!

Yet I still can not see you Lord!!

Where are you!!

Then a flash of light comes before me.

I cant do anything but fall.

I fall on my knees.

The light is to bright.

I hear something!

Lord is that you?

Lord is that you?

I call once more LORD IS THAT YOU?

Yes, My good and faithful servant.

Behold, you have fallen many times.

Yet you still come and look for me.

Yes Lord Yes.

For you are my Lord and Saviour.

You still haven't answered:

Why I did have to go through this?

For the reason is build you up for the tests to come.

Behold you are my Son whom I am well pleased.

Lord for you are my rock who my foundation is on.

Do you trust me now my son?

Yes Lord!! Yes!!

I will go out on the street and sing praises of your goodness!!

The Body of Christ

Hey everyone sorry its been so long since I blogged last, lots of things have been going on in my life. Its been a really hard January for me. I mean it just seemed nothing was going right. I was getting bad news left and right, and I couldn't wait for January just to end. I came back home to Ann Arbor, cause I need some help on my computer. I came home for one thing and got a completely different thing. My weekend home started on a horrible note. Our car broke down in Roseville. I couldn't believe it, I didn't think anything else could go wrong and it just did. My frustration with God was about to boil over. Luckily, I was there with my mom and she helped me keep my composure at least for a little bit. First thing I did was pray to God. Then I went to my phone and started calling all my friends from back home in Ann Arbor. I knew that they would be there to support me. I didn't know the support I would get.



The Devil knows my weak spots and that is my friends and the support and love they have for me. This semester it was stronger than ever, the reason why was because I just had an amazing Christmas break with so many amazing blessings from all my friends. So he started back up attacking me non-stop, and I actually believed him for a long time. This would lead me to depression and sin. I just felt hopeless. I was so frustrated with God. I was LIKE WHY GOD WHY! Well God always has a reason for everything. So I mean going back to the Car breaking down. God showed me the Body of Christ in Action. I mean I had so many people praying for me it was crazy. The one of our very close friends Mr.Harburg came out and rescued us. Luckily were we able to make it to an Applebee's to get some food. The he let us use his AAA so we could tow our Car back to Ann Arbor to get it fixed. I mean God provided for us. I was just able to call all my close friends back at home and even though they weren't able to talk for long they still were there for me and praying for me.

God really showed me how the Body of Christ is suppose to work. Always being there for each other even in times of trouble and even if you do think oh I don't want to go because I am too tired, you still go and help out because they are your brothers and sisters in Christ. I would like to challenge all of you to take this attitude. That even if its late at night and you get a call from a brother or sister in Christ that you will do everything in your power to help them. I mean for all situations like that we can make this world such a better place!!

God Bless your Brother in Christ
Bobby

Check Out: Hillsong Mighty to Save. It wont let me post a link!!!

2 Homes

So right now I am just ending an amazing winter break back at home in Ann Arbor. Now its time to head back up to my second home Mount Pleasant. It may not be a big city, but I have already made so many life long friends and so many good memories up there. I mean its still hard for me to leave Ann Arbor. So amazing people here and I love them so much. I mean, I don't think most of them know how much I care about them. But its the same way back up at Mount Pleasant. I care about them just as much, for they are my brothers and sisters in Christ. I am SO excited to go back up to see them all, and for all of us to talk about how our winter breaks were. God has done a lot for me in the 4 weeks I have been back at home. I have changed in some ways I have needed to help me be me up at Central. Its time to bring the Joy of the Lord to Mount Pleasant. I mean this past week I have been missing my friends up at CMU like crazy. I mean I miss them so much!!!

This hasn't been the easiest break for me and start to the new year, but God showed me something that I have been struggling love from my friends. I felt like they didn't love me at all, but when I needed them the most they were their right by my side and all my doubts left me.

I Love You All!!

Your Brother in Christ

Bobby

Michigan Football Part 2

So when Rich Rod was hired everyone had High expectations for him. I really don't think the Michigan fans knew what they were getting into and they didn't. Michigan loses Not only Chad Henne, Mike Hart, Jake Long but also their entire starting Linebacker Core, plus 2 of there better defensive of line man, they lose their 2 best receivers Mario Manningham and Adrian Arrington, plus their star Freshman quarterback Ryan Mallett. So if was an uphill battle for Rich Rod ever since he got here. I knew it was going to be uphill battle, the reason why they lost all of those guys most to graduation, but the 2 reasons for their 2 best receivers going to the NFL and for Ryan Mallett leaving is because of Rich Rod's Philosophy of this spread offense. Everyone was so excited because of the spread offense. Well they weren't to excited after the first season going 3-9 the worst record in Michigan history since Bump Elliot went 4-6 in 1967. Michigan fans didn't expect it to be this bad this losses to Toledo. Seriously Toledo, and get destroyed by all their rivals is not a good way to start of at Michigan for Rich Rod. Many people where asking wasn't the spread working. Like the spread offense would be like Magic and Michigan would be 6-6 or 7-5 right away. Well the thing is Rich Rod had about a Month to recruit his players for the system. So he didn't get to may players in his system. We had Steven Threet as our Quarterback, I think I could have run as fast as him. They defense wasn't great but it was better than the offense was that year. So After an awful 2008 season Michigan's fans were already grumbling about Rich Rod.

I mean people thought Rich Rod would be able to bring in this whole new Philosophy and turn this Michigan football team around in a year. It was a whole new philosophy for Michigan. I mean Michigan has always been run behindyour huge offensive linemen and then pass it for some big plays. We always had a stingy defense 4-3. But we got Rich Rod Michigan calling a Savior to help turn this program around. I mean really turn the program around??? 9-4 is a bad season and needs turning around ummmm ok?? So we go from 9-4 to 3-9 Great turn around!!!

Then comes a pretty decent recruiting year, we lost Threet because he didn't fit the system (Threet went to Arizona State and was the starting quarterback until he lost his job). Michigan fans were excited we got Tate Forcier a dual threat quarterback that was suppose to help lead us to the promise land for years to come. People were going crazy like me saying oh man we could 10-2 or 9-3 this year. Well he lead us to a 4-0 record at the start of the season, so it looked promising for my prediction to happen and then we got into the Big Ten Schedule went 1-7 for the rest of the season. But this time at least we beat Notre Dame who we weren't suppose to beat. We came close to beating MSU but fell in overtime to them. Should have beat Ohio State at Home but Tate's 5 turnovers didn't help and we fell to the Buckeyes 21-10. Our only win in the 1-7 streak came to Delaware Sate seriously man.We finished 5-7 some improvement, I was feeling very hopeful. I mean we were looking better. Our defensive was looking pretty good, but that was because we had Brandon Graham a true leader to help our defense a long. I mean we still weren't a good defense my any means but at least with graham he was able to help us make a big play when we needed it. We also had Donovan Warren a promising cornerback who people were counting on for a big Senior Season.

So Another disappointing season for Michigan fans with 5-7. I mean yeah I was to with the hot start and I was thinking big things for the school, but I knew in the back of my mind is that we cant to over confident yet. People now starting calling for Rich Rod's head on a platter. I was liker seriously come on people. Didn't you know that its going to take 3 to 4 years to get this team to where it needs to be. I mean it was a complete overhaul of a system and players. I mean we had a pretty young team with some solid players and leadership. The Defense was a huge disappointment, getting worse than it already was. So I mean I wasn't to happy, but I knew Rich Rod had to have at least one more year to really bring his players in and for them to learn the system. So I was trying to defend Rich Rod, and defend they system while everyone else wanted him gone out of town. Michigan fans need to learn patience.

Year number 3 the big year for Rich Rod. Most people say if he doesn't give us a winning

season he is out of here no more of Rich Rod. Well I was at the spring practice and I was very

impressed with the offense and very unimpressed with the defense. I was more like we are going to be able to put

up a lot of points but we aren't going to be able to stop anyone. So we are also going to let up a lot of

points. But even though Tate was the projected started going into the season I knew that Denard

was threatening is spot for the starting job and I actually thought at the start of the season Denard

was going to be the starter for the team. So I was excited because I felt like our defense would be

able to just enoughfor us to win games and I knew our offense was going to be able put up points.

I mean I predicted an 8-4 season for Michigan. Right out of the gates my prediction looked pretty good

we were 5-0 and people were hyped and though it was going to be a special season. Denard was putting

up Heisam Trophy like numbers. We thought we had it in the bad. It looked like we going to have

a 9 Win season. But again everyone spoke to soon. The Big Ten play just became to physical for

Denard and our Defense. I mean we were getting our butts handed to us by most teams. I mean

we beat Illinois in 3 Ots 67-65 great offense awful defense. It was awful. A Michigan defense isn't

suppose to let that up in 4 games and we let it up in one game. So we went 2-5 in the last

7 games of the year. So we ended 7-5 with a horrible loss to Ohio State yet again. Look Now Michigan

fans. You wanted Carr out so bad and now got Rich Rod. We got a winning season we even beat Notre Dame

for the second year in a row. But it still wasn't enough. But we got a January one Bowl which is good

now all we had to do was show up for it. Well in the first 15 minutes we did and all Michigan fans

still thought we had chance at winning the game, we ended up getting crushed and I mean crushed.

52-14. It was a shackling. It was the worst loss ever in Michigan's bowl History. Now Michigan fans

all but hate Rich Rod now.

Now in defense of Rich Rod and Greg Robinson. They lost there two best corners one Donovan Warren

made a dumb decision going to the NFL and then we lost Troy Woolfolk to a broken leg in spring practice.

So I mean that's why our secondary was so awful. When you have a very in experienced secondary

its going to be hard to rush the passer. But its still no excuse to have a month off and have a showing like

what we saw in the bowl game.

Lets Compare first 3 seasons of Lloyd Carr

9-4 tied for 3rd in Big Ten

8-4 tied for 5th in Big ten

12-0 National Champions

Rich Rod

3-9 9th in Big Ten

5-7 10th in Big Ten

7-5 7th in Big Ten

I mean Lets even go with Lloyd Car 3 worst seasons at Michigan

2005: 7-5 tied for 3rd in Big Ten

1995: 9-4 tied for 3rd in Big Ten

1996: 8-4 tied for 5th in Big Ten

I mean seriously. Why would you want Carr gone. I am just saying that Bill Martin handle it

horribly. I mean at least say you have until after the bowl game and see how the Bowl Game goes

let him retire then. Wait until the National Championship is over to really bring anything up for

coaching replacements. Maybe we could have Les Miles, we could have kept Ryan Mallett and we

wouldn't be in this predicament. But we are and its all on the impatience Michigan fans and Bill

Martin for how he handled everything.

Michigan Football Part 1

Hey everyone, as you know or maybe you don't know one of my passions in life is Michigan Football. These past couple of years have been tough for me, the team, the University, and all fans of Michigan Football everywhere. I have a opinion on a lot of stuff that happened in the past 4 years. I am going to talk about it here. I am going to the bowl in a separate blog. Right now I am going to talk the whole Rich Rod Situation.

In 2007 Lloyd Carr was Michigan coach and was coming off an 11-2 season, the season ended in disappointment with losses to hate rival Ohio State and a painful Rose Bowl loss to USC. Michigan was ranked #5 in the nation at the start of the 2007 season, with a bad loss to App State and Oregon and finished of the season with an 8-4 record and a 4 straight loss to Ohio State, rumors had been swirling for awhile for Coach Carr's head. Personally I was quite disappointed in the season but I didn't feel like Coach Carr should has lost is job for this season and past seasons. He had lead us 10 year earlier to our first National Championship in 50 years. He had a good team coming back, but the fans for calling for Carr's head so our Athletic Director instead of having our Coaches back and look at what he was returning turned on the coach and forced him into retirement. Now this is were the craziness comes in. Michigan thought they has a sure fire new coach Les Miles from LSU, all the reports said he was going to take the Michigan job. Michigan put all their eggs in one basket, and sure enough it felt through, Les Miles was like what?? No I am not taking the Michigan Job. So the chaos starts for Michigan. Who were they going to get to replace Lloyd Carr, any assistant Coaches No, there was really no one out on the Market. Until Rich Rodriguez the Head Coach from West Virgina wanted to move on to bigger and better things, also is relationship with the West Virgina athletic Department had started to deteriorate. On December 17th 2007 Rich Rodriguez was hired as Michigan's new head coach. Coach Carr last game came against Heisman winning QB Tim Tebow and the #9 Gators no one gave Michigan a shot. Michigan upset Florida is a very impressive performance winning 41-35 and took Coach Carr out into the sunset on their shoulders.

This is just part 1 of 2 or possibly 3 depending how everything plays out.

But looking back at it Michigan Athletic Director Bill Martin how he handled this situation I found that he handled it very poorly. I feel like he didn't stand behind his coach and let the fans and Media pressure both him and Carr into making the decision of Carr Retiring. I also feel like they didn't go a very good job at looking for coaches. It only took them a month to find a coach. I know they wanted to hurry because of recruiting, but I feel like they could have gotten a coach that had a system that could have fit Ryan Mallett who is now the starting quarterback at Arkansas and is predicted to be a 2st round NFL Draft Pick. They still had lots of pieces that I feel would have stayed if they had found a coach that better fit the system they already had in place.

But all of them left because they didn't feel like they fit in Rich Rod's system. Which is quite understandable. Also I feel like, Rich Rod scheme isn't a good fit in the Big Ten. The Big Ten is know for pounding the ball down the middle. None of the teams in the Big Ten are fully spread teams. They have a spread to throw a different look at the defense but they can still pound the ball down the defense's throat. Another thing was the defensive of scheme that Rich Rod brought which was a 3-3-5. As I said before most teams are running the ball between the tackles with 300 pound plus linemen Having only 6 in the box we knew they were going to be out matched. But people were really excited because it was something new. I was quite disappointed to see Carr go. I thought he was a great coach and had a lot going for Michigan and its program. But now I had to back Rich Rod. I knew it was going to be a long process, and I was ready for it, but it seemed that Michigan Fans weren't ready at all for what was to come.

Merry Christmas a Reflection

I would like to wish everyone a merry Christmas this year!!! This is Christmas has been a very special one for me. Not because of what presents I received or didn't received, but for all the amazing people God has placed in my life. God has done so much for me, yet I have done so little for him. I am far away from where I want to be with God, but this Christmas was different, its wasn't the normal Christmas that I had experienced in the past. I didn't receive to many gifts, but the greatest gift of was received at mass through the Birth of Christ and Communion. Being at mass with my my mom and lots of my friends was a phenomenal experience. One of the amazing things, that I don't remember doing in years past at my church was during mass we all knelt and surrendered our lives to Jesus. It was so amazing!!! It was so moving for me, because I have always been told by my Pastor that I need to get on my knees every morning and surrendered myself to Jesus. It was such a powerful experience for me. I went to mass this morning also so I did it again.

Just reflecting on the real meaning of Christmas, the giving of oneself for the whole world. Christ did that for us cause he loves us. Another one is how its not all about the presents under the tree and what people got, its about family and friends. God has really blessed me with both. I wouldn't trade my family or friends for anything. My greatest gift for Christmas is just being with them for however long I can. I love all of them so much and I care so much about them. It was an amazing experience to see one of my best friends Sing for the Christmas Eve Mass. I had a grin on my face the whole time, I was so proud of him!! I would trade nothing for that experience alone.

Just to know so many people care for me and I care for them is more than enough for me this Christmas!!!

God Bless and Merry Christmas

This is a great song by Chris Tomlin Emmanuel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTDA_awnl8g

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God...And the Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us, and we saw His glory, the glory as of the Father's only Son, full of grace and truth.

(John 1: 1, 14)