Yesterday was my first day on my new "tent-making" job! I have training all week, which prepares me for what they call a level one entry worker, then later I will receive another week of training to go to level two.
So far, so good. I really forgot how much I enjoy being in an "office space" environment and that one of my gifts is administration/organization. I think this job will help to sharpen a lot of skills for me that will be so helpful in the ministry. So for now just a lot of training and acronyms to learn, but in the end I know that this is right where God wants me, in the mission field!
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Growing up
The other night I was playing with my 7 month old daughter Olivia on the floor of the living room when I thought to myself "this girl just wants to do everything". She's just at that stage and she's a lot like her dad:) too! She was crawling, climbing and trying to do it all at once.
I began to think about how much we are alike and how to many times I want to do things to fast. That day the Lord reminded me about the journey of faith that we are all on and how that if we look and work so fast to get the end product or a result that we miss the most important part altogether, the process!! I mean, come on...God did not let the people of Israel wonder in the desert for 40 years for no reason. I truly believe that God is more concerned (most of the time) about the process more than the end result. Think about it.
I began to think about how much we are alike and how to many times I want to do things to fast. That day the Lord reminded me about the journey of faith that we are all on and how that if we look and work so fast to get the end product or a result that we miss the most important part altogether, the process!! I mean, come on...God did not let the people of Israel wonder in the desert for 40 years for no reason. I truly believe that God is more concerned (most of the time) about the process more than the end result. Think about it.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
The Thrill of the Hunt
I grew up in the outdoors, hunting, fishing, hiking and all that fun stuff. I really enjoy just spending time in the woods, its so quite and peaceful.
So, this morning I went out for the first time archery hunting and for the first time I missed my buck. I only had a split second to get a shot off and when I did I think I just missed over it's back. My heart was pounding so fast, at first I thought I got it, but then I tried to track and came up with nothing.
I saw plenty of deer though and one other monster buck shortly after my first miss, but I couldn't get a shot at him. In the end it was a great morning just being outside and enjoying God's beautiful nature.
So, this morning I went out for the first time archery hunting and for the first time I missed my buck. I only had a split second to get a shot off and when I did I think I just missed over it's back. My heart was pounding so fast, at first I thought I got it, but then I tried to track and came up with nothing.
I saw plenty of deer though and one other monster buck shortly after my first miss, but I couldn't get a shot at him. In the end it was a great morning just being outside and enjoying God's beautiful nature.
Friday, November 9, 2007
Crazzzzzy Week!!!
Just realize that I have not blogged all week, not sure were the week went but I guess today is Friday and I just now realized it. We have been gearing up all week for our Murder Mystery Dinner for the youth. We will be having our dress rehearsal tonight and dinner tomorrow at 4:30. The turn out was a little less than what I expected, but I know that we are going to have a blast doing it and we will all add value to the youth min. and it will be a great experience for all.
Sunday, November 4, 2007
I Used To Play In The Bars...
Know I have been thinking about this statement since I heard it...and the thing that keeps running through my mind is the question of why this phrase is used in the past tense "used to". Why not still play in the bars now that God has made you a light to shine before all men, or is it that we are to only shine our light in the context of our own churches or to only our brothers and sisters in the Lord. Now I understand that this maybe to extreme for some, ok, maybe this is not for all, but my point isn't just the bar itself, it could be anything, anywhere for that matter.
If we are called to be the light of the world (Matt. 5:14) then why are we just using are God-given gifts, talents and abilities within our churches or for the enjoyment of ourselves. Are we not suppose to have/be/do good works so that people might see and glorify God (I Peter 2:12), now I know and realize that we are to be set apart,a royal priesthood and a holy nation, and rightly so. I just can't see Jesus sitting around with all his fullness, calling/purpose/destiny in life doing the churchy pew-sitting stuff like the rest of the religious people of his day. Yes, Jesus went to the synagogue and so did Paul, but they went beyond the church of their day, into the market place, into the houses of the swindlers, confronted prostitutes and adulteresses, they went into the places where there were real needs to be met and they touched the heart of the people right where they were. They didn't just sit around and hope that they came into the church of their day that they might hear the gospel, NO they took the gospel to the people, not cursing them for who they are or what sin they were living in, NO they met their needs with love and deeds, and shared with them the good news, the gospel. This is why Peter and John were able to heal the lame beggar on their way to the temple, they were able to see through the mere fact that this man had no money and was crippled, they were able to see the poverty of his soul and they told him that he could have what they had, which was fullness of life, living, walking, breathing, every need taken care of kind of life that was only found in Christ. And so Peter tells him "in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene - WALK!" Now here is the key, here is our part (Peter's part) "And SEIZING HIM BY THE RIGHT HAND, HE RAISED HIM UP"
God's done His part (the cross), and He will always continue to DO His part (through the Holy Spirit), BUT we must DO OUR PART TOO! (Obeying - GO) We can do NOTHING without Him first and foremost, but just as James tells us, faith without works is dead, being by itself. Yet faith can be perfected by what you do (see Abraham). Our faith should be a living faith, one that produces good works and as we do good works our faith is made perfect because it's on display for all to see and to glorify God (I Peter 2:12).
If we are called to be the light of the world (Matt. 5:14) then why are we just using are God-given gifts, talents and abilities within our churches or for the enjoyment of ourselves. Are we not suppose to have/be/do good works so that people might see and glorify God (I Peter 2:12), now I know and realize that we are to be set apart,a royal priesthood and a holy nation, and rightly so. I just can't see Jesus sitting around with all his fullness, calling/purpose/destiny in life doing the churchy pew-sitting stuff like the rest of the religious people of his day. Yes, Jesus went to the synagogue and so did Paul, but they went beyond the church of their day, into the market place, into the houses of the swindlers, confronted prostitutes and adulteresses, they went into the places where there were real needs to be met and they touched the heart of the people right where they were. They didn't just sit around and hope that they came into the church of their day that they might hear the gospel, NO they took the gospel to the people, not cursing them for who they are or what sin they were living in, NO they met their needs with love and deeds, and shared with them the good news, the gospel. This is why Peter and John were able to heal the lame beggar on their way to the temple, they were able to see through the mere fact that this man had no money and was crippled, they were able to see the poverty of his soul and they told him that he could have what they had, which was fullness of life, living, walking, breathing, every need taken care of kind of life that was only found in Christ. And so Peter tells him "in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene - WALK!" Now here is the key, here is our part (Peter's part) "And SEIZING HIM BY THE RIGHT HAND, HE RAISED HIM UP"
God's done His part (the cross), and He will always continue to DO His part (through the Holy Spirit), BUT we must DO OUR PART TOO! (Obeying - GO) We can do NOTHING without Him first and foremost, but just as James tells us, faith without works is dead, being by itself. Yet faith can be perfected by what you do (see Abraham). Our faith should be a living faith, one that produces good works and as we do good works our faith is made perfect because it's on display for all to see and to glorify God (I Peter 2:12).
Friday, November 2, 2007
Giving Out of Poverty - Think about it!
I was talking to a good friend of mine who is currently doing language school in Costa Rica and who has just recently decided to become an associate missionary there. He was telling me all about the process and how much support he would have to raise for a two and a half year term. As we were talking about this, he told me a story of a friend of his or an acquaintance of some sort, but he was telling me about how she had to raise support and the journey that she was on.
It reminded me of the story of the poor widow who gave out of her poverty, the one mite that she owned and Jesus told his disciples that she gave more than any of the other people that were putting all kinds of cash flow into the offering.
This missionaries story was that she was home in the states on ferlow (raising funds) and trying to get into different churches to share her vision and testimony of what God has done in her life. She wasn't getting many offers to speak. So she heard that there was a "homeless" church in the area and so she thought she might contact the pastor to see if she could share there. The pastor was a little taken back by the question and asked her if she realized that they were a church for the homeless and that they wouldn't have any money to support her, but she insisted to come and share anyway. Well, wouldn't you know it. The following week the pastor called her up and said that the homeless felt that they could give her something if they all pitched in a few recycled cans and got the money that way and they could help with that each month (about $50). The girl was thrilled!! She could hardly believe it. The next week the pastor called back and the girl thought that he was going to tell her that they wouldn't be able to do it, but instead he told her that the homeless people told the pastor that they wanted her to be their missionary and that they all decided to take more time and more money out of their own needs to collect cans and that with the extra effort they were able to support her $100 a month!!! She was floored to say the least, she also said that from time to time they even send her more when they have it.
Can you believe this. I was in tears tonight when my friend Criag was telling me this story. Homeless people supporting a missionary $100 a month!!! This girl said that most churches won't even support $50 a month or that most say they don't even have it to give. What's wrong with that picture?
I guess the scripture rings so true here in (Matt. 6:19-20) vs. 20 "where your treasure is there your heart will be also." Think about it!
It reminded me of the story of the poor widow who gave out of her poverty, the one mite that she owned and Jesus told his disciples that she gave more than any of the other people that were putting all kinds of cash flow into the offering.
This missionaries story was that she was home in the states on ferlow (raising funds) and trying to get into different churches to share her vision and testimony of what God has done in her life. She wasn't getting many offers to speak. So she heard that there was a "homeless" church in the area and so she thought she might contact the pastor to see if she could share there. The pastor was a little taken back by the question and asked her if she realized that they were a church for the homeless and that they wouldn't have any money to support her, but she insisted to come and share anyway. Well, wouldn't you know it. The following week the pastor called her up and said that the homeless felt that they could give her something if they all pitched in a few recycled cans and got the money that way and they could help with that each month (about $50). The girl was thrilled!! She could hardly believe it. The next week the pastor called back and the girl thought that he was going to tell her that they wouldn't be able to do it, but instead he told her that the homeless people told the pastor that they wanted her to be their missionary and that they all decided to take more time and more money out of their own needs to collect cans and that with the extra effort they were able to support her $100 a month!!! She was floored to say the least, she also said that from time to time they even send her more when they have it.
Can you believe this. I was in tears tonight when my friend Criag was telling me this story. Homeless people supporting a missionary $100 a month!!! This girl said that most churches won't even support $50 a month or that most say they don't even have it to give. What's wrong with that picture?
I guess the scripture rings so true here in (Matt. 6:19-20) vs. 20 "where your treasure is there your heart will be also." Think about it!
I Peter 5
The Lord gave me this scripture a few days back. I have been meditating on this passage for the past couple of days now.
1 Peter 5
To Elders and Young Men
1To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; 3not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
5Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,
"God opposes the proud
but gives grace to the humble."[a] 6Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
8Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
10And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 5
To Elders and Young Men
1To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; 3not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
5Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,
"God opposes the proud
but gives grace to the humble."[a] 6Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
8Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
10And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.
8 days and counting...
In a week from tomorrow we will be presenting our Murder Mystery Dinner! Just this morning I was looking over all that still needs to be done before that day and boy do we have some stuff to do! But I know that it will all come together in the end, we are praying that this night will be a success and that we will have fun doing it. We have a few more practices to get in and some decorating to do, but we are sure that by next Saturday we will have everything we need and we'll be ready to "break a leg" that night!
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