Wednesday, October 31, 2007
almost forgot
Almost forgot, My job has changed. I am not going to be a desk jockey! I will be a jungle hiking missionary! Talked to my supervisor tonight and I am really excited to see what God has for the team and for the next two years.
Goodness Gracious
Okay, so never in my entire life have I been stretched and challenged so much in just such a short time. God is teaching more and more every day, it builds day by day exponentially, it is crazy. This week we have been talking about spiritual warfare, Dr. Rankin was teaching us this week and wow, it has been good. Sometimes it wears me out, I am not made to sit as long as our classes last, but like I said God is stretching me. So what stuck out to me the most is Paul's concept of dieing to one self, just an interesting fact, self is flesh backwards without the H. So, when we die to our selves it is so that Christ can live in us, so to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If my heart is beating it beats not for me, but for Christ. When my heart stops beating it is gain because I join Christ! I have quoted this verse a bunch of times and it never really sank in until today.
Tomorrow and Friday we are going over Doctrine, why we believe what we believe. I am looking forward to it. I know that it entails more class time that I am not used to, but for the next seven weeks I better get used to it.
My prayer request would be for good rest, I hate slowing down. I feel like I am going to miss out on something by staying in...It is hard for me to sit at the computer even now, because I know people are doing things and I am not there. Also, that I would realize that I am human and rest is essential. I know that a pace like this will only last so long. I must stay faithful to a sabbath, for good reason too. I am praying for all of you back in Texas, let me know what is on yalls hearts so that I can lift them up to our Father.
Tomorrow and Friday we are going over Doctrine, why we believe what we believe. I am looking forward to it. I know that it entails more class time that I am not used to, but for the next seven weeks I better get used to it.
My prayer request would be for good rest, I hate slowing down. I feel like I am going to miss out on something by staying in...It is hard for me to sit at the computer even now, because I know people are doing things and I am not there. Also, that I would realize that I am human and rest is essential. I know that a pace like this will only last so long. I must stay faithful to a sabbath, for good reason too. I am praying for all of you back in Texas, let me know what is on yalls hearts so that I can lift them up to our Father.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Here I am
Well today has been amazing. The flight from Dallas to Richmond went perfect. There were no delays all my luggage made it unharmed and here I am.
I want to say thank you to everyone who has been praying for the travel and also for the journey itself. At this point it still seems a little unreal to me that I am even here. I am amazed that God has chosen me for this task in this time. Yet at the same time I say with joy and conviction Here I am Lord, send me!
Just because I am here and the fun is about to begin does not mean that the prayer needs are done. My heart has been burdened for the lost so much over the last 36 hours. As I was preparing to leave I came across two very special items to me and God spoke to me through them in a whole new way. The first is an obituary from a girl that I went to grade school with who died in a car accident nearly ten years ago, she was only 14 years old. the second is a picture of two of my good friends from high school. Both of whom are lost and hopeless. When I saw these two items side by side God gave me urgency like never before. There is a lost and dieing world out there and we have no idea how few moments we have left to tell them the wonderful news of Jesus.
So to those of you who have time to read all of this, this is where the Lord has my heart. Join in the harvest with me how ever you can, go and tell, neel and pray, be obedient to God's call.
Again thank you for your prayers.
I want to say thank you to everyone who has been praying for the travel and also for the journey itself. At this point it still seems a little unreal to me that I am even here. I am amazed that God has chosen me for this task in this time. Yet at the same time I say with joy and conviction Here I am Lord, send me!
Just because I am here and the fun is about to begin does not mean that the prayer needs are done. My heart has been burdened for the lost so much over the last 36 hours. As I was preparing to leave I came across two very special items to me and God spoke to me through them in a whole new way. The first is an obituary from a girl that I went to grade school with who died in a car accident nearly ten years ago, she was only 14 years old. the second is a picture of two of my good friends from high school. Both of whom are lost and hopeless. When I saw these two items side by side God gave me urgency like never before. There is a lost and dieing world out there and we have no idea how few moments we have left to tell them the wonderful news of Jesus.
So to those of you who have time to read all of this, this is where the Lord has my heart. Join in the harvest with me how ever you can, go and tell, neel and pray, be obedient to God's call.
Again thank you for your prayers.
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
The word of the day!
Sacrifice
Well all day today this word has been coming to my mind. I started the day off by finding out that a friend of mine lost her grandmother. She had to sacrifice. Another friend of mine is in Peru and is missing her sister eighteenth birthday today. She had to sacrifice. Tonight a group of wonderful friends and family gathered together to say good bye to me. They are, well...They are sacrificing the next two years with me and I with them.
Many people often ask if I feel like I am giving up too much by leaving the U.S. to tell other about Jesus. They worry that I will miss out on the joys of starting a family, or the intensity early career life. I have even been told that there will never be a better time than right now to invest in a home.
So when I look at all of these things, I too am sacrificing. I know most of all I will miss my family and friends. I will not be here for the amazing things God is doing in Watauga.
But, I know God is still going to be doing these great things in Watauga. He has called be to be a part of the great things He is doing in Peru.
Even more than all of this I remember the cross. Jesus sacrificed. What He gave up was the greatest sacrifice. He willingly left the right hand of God in heaven, came to earth and bore the sin of the entire world so that I, so that we could join Him there for eternity.
WOW, so it went from sacrifice for Him to blessing for me all in one smooth move. None of the things I mentioned above have had this great of an effect on humanity but all of these sacrifices in there own way also bring forth blessings.
A grandmother left this life today, but she lives on in eternity praising the King.
A girl gave up her sisters birthday, but because of this lost, people in Peru will hear about the Way.
My friends, family and I are giving up time with each other, but in my heart I know that through this God will make me a better man, a better friend and He and His kingdom will be glorified. Even in the midst of sacrifice, what better blessing could I ask for?
Well all day today this word has been coming to my mind. I started the day off by finding out that a friend of mine lost her grandmother. She had to sacrifice. Another friend of mine is in Peru and is missing her sister eighteenth birthday today. She had to sacrifice. Tonight a group of wonderful friends and family gathered together to say good bye to me. They are, well...They are sacrificing the next two years with me and I with them.
Many people often ask if I feel like I am giving up too much by leaving the U.S. to tell other about Jesus. They worry that I will miss out on the joys of starting a family, or the intensity early career life. I have even been told that there will never be a better time than right now to invest in a home.
So when I look at all of these things, I too am sacrificing. I know most of all I will miss my family and friends. I will not be here for the amazing things God is doing in Watauga.
But, I know God is still going to be doing these great things in Watauga. He has called be to be a part of the great things He is doing in Peru.
Even more than all of this I remember the cross. Jesus sacrificed. What He gave up was the greatest sacrifice. He willingly left the right hand of God in heaven, came to earth and bore the sin of the entire world so that I, so that we could join Him there for eternity.
WOW, so it went from sacrifice for Him to blessing for me all in one smooth move. None of the things I mentioned above have had this great of an effect on humanity but all of these sacrifices in there own way also bring forth blessings.
A grandmother left this life today, but she lives on in eternity praising the King.
A girl gave up her sisters birthday, but because of this lost, people in Peru will hear about the Way.
My friends, family and I are giving up time with each other, but in my heart I know that through this God will make me a better man, a better friend and He and His kingdom will be glorified. Even in the midst of sacrifice, what better blessing could I ask for?
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
I know, I know....I am a slacker
Well I officially leave for training this month. I have gotten a "hint" that maybe I should update you guys on whats going on in these last few days in Fort Worth. So here it goes!
I have two days left at Texas Metal Works. I have really enjoyed my time here and even though it is time to move on it is still going to be hard. From here I will move on to about a dozen little homework assignments that the board has for me. Some of you have already or will be getting a call to help or be a part of what I have to do. I also need to go through stuff. I have a bunch of junk that I have collected over the years that I never do anything with and it is time for all... or at least most of this to find a new home.
During all of this two things keep coming to my mind. The small amount of time I have for all the tasks at hand, as well as to spend with family and friends. And second, I kinda feel like I am about to burn my plow and cook the oxen over it.
On the first one, God has given me comfort. He has written the pages of history and the future. I am pretty sure He is capable of taking care of me in the last few days here in Texas. Just for you who do not know me that well, He is my God and I KNOW He can do these things, and far greater things. My trust is in Him and it is by His hand that all things happen. So, no worries.
On the second thing. God has not yet called me to a lifetime commitment to missions. When He does I will follow Him kicking and screaming...I mean with all of my Heart. Seriously though, I want to believe that when God shows me whatever plans He has for me next I trust Him with the future as much as I trust Him with right now. I hope to one day have the faith of the Prophet Elisha. All he had was the promise of Jesus and he was still crazy faithful. For now all I can do is stand upon the Rock, who is Jesus and enjoy the last weeks with those who I love and who love me. So again I say my trust is in Him and it is by His hand that all things happen, so no worries!
I have two days left at Texas Metal Works. I have really enjoyed my time here and even though it is time to move on it is still going to be hard. From here I will move on to about a dozen little homework assignments that the board has for me. Some of you have already or will be getting a call to help or be a part of what I have to do. I also need to go through stuff. I have a bunch of junk that I have collected over the years that I never do anything with and it is time for all... or at least most of this to find a new home.
During all of this two things keep coming to my mind. The small amount of time I have for all the tasks at hand, as well as to spend with family and friends. And second, I kinda feel like I am about to burn my plow and cook the oxen over it.
On the first one, God has given me comfort. He has written the pages of history and the future. I am pretty sure He is capable of taking care of me in the last few days here in Texas. Just for you who do not know me that well, He is my God and I KNOW He can do these things, and far greater things. My trust is in Him and it is by His hand that all things happen. So, no worries.
On the second thing. God has not yet called me to a lifetime commitment to missions. When He does I will follow Him kicking and screaming...I mean with all of my Heart. Seriously though, I want to believe that when God shows me whatever plans He has for me next I trust Him with the future as much as I trust Him with right now. I hope to one day have the faith of the Prophet Elisha. All he had was the promise of Jesus and he was still crazy faithful. For now all I can do is stand upon the Rock, who is Jesus and enjoy the last weeks with those who I love and who love me. So again I say my trust is in Him and it is by His hand that all things happen, so no worries!
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