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New India Blog Site
I have created a new blog site specifically for my trip to India. For daily updates (or as often as I can), photos and video footage go to redhillsindia.blogspot.com.
Red Hills India
From February 1-14 I will be embarking on an adventure of a lifetime. I was asked to be part of a team of 20 to go to Chennai, India to take the Good News of Christ to this city of 1.5 million. My specific role will be to serve with the technical team in setting up audio/visual equipment and assisting with photography and videography. This is especially exciting for me because the Lord has chosen me to use the gifts he has given me to use to His glory. My background is in graphic design, but over the years have "evolved" into more of a rounded communications area. I am a photographer and graphic designer at Corban College, and, by God's grace, I have been led to many people in ministry that can benefit by what I do as I can benefit from their knowledge in the Lord and experience in ministry.Here is a brief background: the team I am traveling with is headed up by Reid Saunders, an alum of Corban. The Reid Saunders Association (RSA) travels around the world telling the Good News through evangelistic events. I had the chance to get to know Reid through various events at the college and around the city of Salem. RSA was created under the umbrella organization Next Generation Alliance (NGA), a Luis Palau company. NGA is also associated with Livin' It, an extreme sports ministry headed up by Stephen Baldwin (yes, of the Hollywood Baldwin brothers). I also had the opportunity to meet Luis at an event in Salem and was at that time asked to go on this trip. The trip involves setting up events to share the Good News of Christ with the people of Chennai. It has been more than 15 years since the Gospel has been taken into this city, so there is expected to be at least 4000 people attending each event per day.
I am truly amazed at how God has been working in my life. This is just another step in my spiritual growth that will lead to yet another step. I am learning that, by faith, stepping out into the unknown is perhaps the most gratifying experience, because I know God's hand is in it and He is in control of everything; nothing is impossible through God! I can see how he has worked in my life and it gives me a hint of where He will lead me in the future.
For those of you who are interested in my trip, I will be logging my experience on this blog beginning soon. I leave on February 1st and will attempt to post as much as possible (wherever I have an internet connection). If you would like to help with this trip you can do so by praying for the team and I. We need specific prayer for God to prepare our hearts for this experience, for all necessary doors to be opened, for protection from harm (both physically and spiritually), to focus on Christ and strengthen our fellowship and to prepare the people of India to receive Christ into their lives. You can also help by supporting me financially. Since I didn't even know about this trip until about one month ago and it wasn't confirmed I was going until a few weeks ago, I have just a short time to do any fundraising. If this is something that is on your heart, I ask you to help send me to India on your behalf. God has blessed us all in different ways, some financially and some not. I have been blessed by being chosen to go on this trip. I honestly don't feel worthy of it, but very humbled that I can serve with the team. I know the Lord will provide financially for me through certain people and He has already selected them. By supporting me, by prayer and/or financially, you’ll have an opportunity to be a part of this trip. I am grateful for anything you can do.
If you have any questions or concerns or would like to chat about the trip, please feel free to get in touch with me at cwells@corban.edu.
Our Fallible President
The recent national address by President Bush got me thinking about where this man has been in the last 7 years... It made me realize some things about how we, as humans, are fallible. We have our personal weaknesses and our strenths. By nature, we dwell on weakness. Why? I don't know. It may be how God programmed us. Trusting in God by raw faith is perhaps opposite what our bodies tell us to do. I think that maybe we were created to seek truth, to know that what "is" is weak and that there is something better. It's possible that our reaction to this human trait is to look inward and to attempt to acheive greatness ourselves. To attempt to become greater than the weakness we find in others. This is the case with many Americans, and actually, the entire human race. I do believe we have pointed our efforts in the wrong place. Instead of inward, we need to be pointing upward. God designed us to seek Him!President Bush is a fallible man. Not perfect by any means and, yes, he has made some major mistakes as president. But what has he done to better our country and the world? I was discussing with my wife last night about our world politics and the countries and powers within it right now. We are living in an incredible time of history - the United States is the most powerful country in the world! And the man who leads it is simply a man. However, I believe he is a wise man. I can't begin to image the trials he has gone through and I would not wish that on anyone. But he has also been through some incredibly gratifying times. Our infallible God chose him to lead this country whether we like it or not. As a Christian, I am called to obey the leaders of nations and those put into power as long as it is not in defiance of my faith, because God put them there. Although I don't agree with everything he has done as a president, George W. Bush has my utmost respect. Consider what is going on in our world right now. It is not the same world we knew 100 years ago, 50 years ago, or even 10 years ago. A time in history that we should all be proud to be a part of.
"I'm a Methodist. I'm an active church member. . . I attend church, I like church . . . I've heard great preachers, I've heard not-so-great preachers. I love the hymns, I read the Bible daily. . . .I pray on a daily basis. I've got a structure to my life where religion plays a role. I understand religion is a walk, it's a journey. And I fully recognize that I'm a sinner, just like you. That's why Christ died. He died for my sins and your sins."
-- "George W. Bush: Running on His Faith," US News Online
"I would describe myself as a man who was raised a Christian, who sought redemption and found it in Jesus Christ. And that's important by the way, for someone running for public office. It's a humbling experience to make that admission. I admit I'm a lowly sinner. It's that admission that led me to redemption and led me to Christ. Without making that admission, I don't think there's such a thing as redemption."
-- interview with the Baptist Press, 31 August 2000
New Year – New Beginning
The new year brings an opportunity to start fresh. A new beginning to a new year. Resolutions are made to be better, do better, have more, do more, etc, etc.
To me, the new year is a reminder of death. Dying to my past and looking to a new future full of hope and optimism. Dying to a part of myself I don't want to be in this new year. Dying to selfish ambitions and realizing a greater purpose. To decrease is to increase. A new year? A new opportunity? A second (or third, or fourth) try? A new life? Yes, all of these. Only through death am I worthy of such a claim. The death of a man to live life like I should, like I know I am to live. Giving credit where credit is due? Jesus.
To me, the new year is a reminder of death. Dying to my past and looking to a new future full of hope and optimism. Dying to a part of myself I don't want to be in this new year. Dying to selfish ambitions and realizing a greater purpose. To decrease is to increase. A new year? A new opportunity? A second (or third, or fourth) try? A new life? Yes, all of these. Only through death am I worthy of such a claim. The death of a man to live life like I should, like I know I am to live. Giving credit where credit is due? Jesus.
ADHD or CEO?
This is a great post to consider the natural tendencies of those diagnosed with ADHD and the leadership abilities of your average CEO: Sleepy Bear Hollow: Ponder this
A Child's Excitement
“Every child has in him an aching void for excitement and if we don’t fill it with something which is exciting, interesting and good for him, he will fill it with something which exciting and interesting and which isn’t good for him.”
--President Theodore Roosevelt
--President Theodore Roosevelt
Risk & Faith
As I was reading an article in Psychology Today it sparked an interesting notion. For risk seeking individuals, specifically Christians, is it possible that because of their faith in God they are more apt to seek more risk? As a Christian, and one who thrives off opportunities to take risks, am I more willing to take risks because of my faith? I have started reading more about this lately trying to find answers in Scripture and have noticed a few important things. Christians (as noted in the Bible–specifically the Apostles and "saints" such as Paul) have been called to be risk takers to varying degrees. I know there are different personalities out there and that this goes against some of their wiring, but I believe that God has called ALL Christians to take some sort of risk, some more than others.As Christians, do we not take risks every day by just professing our faith in Christ Jesus? This is the lowest version of risk in a Christian's life. When I think about "real" risk takers--not the complacent Christians who practice what they preach one day a week and the other 6 live their safe, protected lives in their lovely homes driving their lovely $50k SUV complaining about their neighbors--I think about King David, and Paul, and Job, and Moses, and Jesus. Are we like this? Am I like this? No. Not nearly. I am not judging those Christians that are the complacent type as I am no better. I am simply making a point. Should we not desire some level of risk? What about those of us who desire extreme risk (according to our culture standards) and seek it out?
An example that might illustrate this is the enterpreneuer type personalities. I believe I am one of those. Years ago I was laid off my job because of the downturn related to 9/11. I took this as a new opportunity and truely felt God was opening a door for me, not taking something away. So I went fulltime into my company and built it to a sustainable business 2 years later. It was then that God open yet another door. The opportunity to work in a Christian environment educating young Christians using the gifts God enabled me with. So without hesitation, I closed the doors on my business and moved on (keep in mind this business was bringing in double what I was offered to leave it). Is this risk taking? Or is this simply a reliance on God? Our culture would say "risk taking", but I don't see it that way. God told me to move on and I did. And He has blessed me immensely for it.
So this is what I am getting at: are Christian risk takers simply following God's command and leading or are we just doing it for the thrill? I think both - I get a thrill out it! God wired us all in different ways. He knows our path before we get there and knows that our "wiring" will help us go there if we just listen to Him. Instead of risk, a term I would use to describe this behavior is "nexting". This term was coined by Edgar H. Schein, a professor of management and organizational psychology expert at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He explains that nexting is the positive rationale aimed at finding solutions to "problems" in organizational settings. In other words, it is a way to approach a problem and present positive or alternative ways to get to a certain result, looking at the "next" alternative. It's never stopping at an "OK" answer and approaching the problem at a new angle, always pushing for more and better. Should we not be this way in life? Striving for better? Risking much to achieve more? Not to HAVE more, but to ACHIEVE more? Not all of us would want this. But without risk (or nexting) life is just too boring. What would Jesus do? What would He want us to do? Questions worth consideration...
Intersting article about similar: Cliff Jumping
Matter of Fact...
"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 hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
God has a plan for your life. He brought you into this world to fulfill that plan. It is the best plan that anyone could ever make for you. It is a plan that will bring Him the greatest glory and you the greatest good. From the beginning of this calendar year until its end, God is working out His plan.
As you follow God's plan for your life, you do so by faith. It is important to remember that He is the Guide and you are the follower. He does not need to bring you into His planning room as a consultant to help Him decide what is best for your life. God has called you to trust Him and to take the next step of obedience according to His will. God has said, "I will bring the blind by a way they did not know; I will lead them in paths they have not known. I will make darkness light before them, And crooked places straight. These things I will do for them, And not forsake them." Isaiah 42:16 NKJV
God has a plan for your life. He brought you into this world to fulfill that plan. It is the best plan that anyone could ever make for you. It is a plan that will bring Him the greatest glory and you the greatest good. From the beginning of this calendar year until its end, God is working out His plan.
As you follow God's plan for your life, you do so by faith. It is important to remember that He is the Guide and you are the follower. He does not need to bring you into His planning room as a consultant to help Him decide what is best for your life. God has called you to trust Him and to take the next step of obedience according to His will. God has said, "I will bring the blind by a way they did not know; I will lead them in paths they have not known. I will make darkness light before them, And crooked places straight. These things I will do for them, And not forsake them." Isaiah 42:16 NKJV
A moment captured: Alex Castro
The following was written by Luis Fernando Herrera of Christian Surfers of Jaco, Costa Rica. The purpose for posting this on my blog site is twofold. One, I want to honor Alex and the Lord by sharing this story with you. Two, I want to remember this man for who he was and what he stood for. He is what we all should be and should strive for every day.That they may see and know, and consider and understand together, That the hand of the Lord has done this, and the Holy One of Israel has created it.
Isaiah 41:20
Fifteen minutes before the most enduring and colorful rays of light disappeared into the western skyline, the children of the Lord gathered together in one large circle floating on their surfboards and held fast by each other's hands, deep over the waters of Jaco. The people of the village united, with the same heart and in singleness of mind; to honor and give praise for the life of Alexander Castro Guevara, a true soldier of the Lord and a servant of the Most High God. On the 30th day of April 2006, our God promoted Alex to serve directly underneath him and alongside his fellow servants the angels, and his soul rested with his fathers. Unfortunately, those of us who are left suffered a great loss at the fall of one of our strongest and most beloved soldiers, and our eternal brother through Christ. Therefore on the holy Sabbath, the 6th day of May 2006, all those to whom Alex had ministered to through his unfailing love showed up to pay him vows of honor and respect, and to give him one last goodbye-kiss as a community. He was severely mourned.
Alex walked over the face of earth for twenty-nine years and did what was right in the sight of the Lord; he was careful to obey his command and to do according to what he had been entrusted as he strayed neither to the right nor to the left, but instead dedicated his life to completing the mission. This year the Lord welcomed him home with a homecoming that a father has for his son, or that a king prepares for a hero returning home from the battlefield. He served his brothers diligently; with pureness of heart, abundance of love and a generosity that is scarcely to be found anymore. He was generous with his time, with his countless gifts and talents, his wisdom and teachings, and above all, with his love. The following scripture has been heavy on my mind, as it is the voice of the Lord describing Alex and the joy he has found in him, for he is proud to call him his own.
Behold! My servant whom I uphold, my elect one in whom my soul delights! I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the Gentiles. He will not cry out, nor raise his voice, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. A bruised reed he will not break, and smoking flax he will not quench; He will bring forth justice for truth.
Isaiah 42:1-3
The humility and grace with which Alex lived his life is something that is not of this world. He was a true scholar and a gentleman, a disciple as well as a teacher, a lover and a strong fighter. He fought for the rights of his little ones, he fought for them to have a place to learn, he fought for them to have a place to skate, he made sure that there was always some sort of surf tournament for the kids to look forward to, and he fought to show them true love.
These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. This is my commandment; that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. These things I command you, that you love one another.
John 15:11-13,17
Brought down to the most basic of principles, I believe with the deepest conviction my of my heart, that this is the message Alex Castro left behind for us. These words are his voice, the voice of the Holy Spirit that so naturally flowed throughout the miracle that was Alex's life. He lived these words, and he departed with them as his theme song, as the resounding chorus that defined his life to those of us who were blessed enough to know him. What I most loved about Alex's teachings was the simplicity of his message he made sure to keep it clear and simple because his greatest concern was that no one would be left behind.
I am now ashamed to admit that the pride of my heart once criticized Alex for his simplistic approach to teaching, the casual clarity of his loving stories and examples. I believed that teaching the word of God was something to be feared, and that we should use the most knowledge, theory, and scripture possible in order to make our case known. Boy did Alex prove me wrong. He's taught me that the love of God is something that you wear on your face, something that is heard in your voice, and that is seen in your actions. He taught me that the message of the Lord is simple, and indeed it is something that even the youngest and least experienced can reveal to a seasoned and educated adult. It doesn't take knowing the Bible inside and out, it is not about having all the answers. It is simply about having complete humility of heart, and about living with the love that can only come from someone who has the peace of enjoying an intimate relationship with our Creator.
God is mighty, but does not despise men; He is mighty, and firm in his purpose. He does not take his eyes off the righteous; He enthrones them with kings and exalts them forever.
Job 36:5,7
I have been with you wherever you have gone, And I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men of the earth.
2 Samuel 7:9
Alexander Castro Guevara surely is a good name, a great name—a name like the greatest men of the earth. Now I understand what Solomon the Wise was referring to when he stated, "A good name is better than fine perfume, and the day of death better than the day of birth."
(Ecclesiastes 7:1).
Upon receiving the news of Alex's death due to severe head trauma, caused by an accident in which a car knocked him off his bicycle on Sunday night the 23rd of April, I was extremely resentful towards God. "Why", I thought, "Of all people, why take Alex; how can this be?" Alex was a founding member of Christian Surfers: Costa Rica. Three years ago he came into town with nothing more than a box-full of his belongings, a passion for Christ and the goodwill and faith to bring the Good News to a town that desperately needed it, as it has been described in a recent newspaper article as "The Next Sodom."
He was fluently bilingual, a talented surfer and orator, and just an extremely cool and humble guy. He welcomed me into the group as I was, and always had a word of encouragement that brought true peace into my life. He was the glue that united teenage surfers with business professionals, drug addicts with clean and healthy people, Costa Rican locals, with English-speaking foreigners, the lost with the found. We all came for him. Deep down I believe that somewhere inside, we were all intuitively going to the Wednesday night Bible studies just to spend some time with Alex and enjoy the company of the Lord.
He spent seven days in deep sleep on a hospital bed, and at seven o'clock on Sunday (the last day of April) he was taken up before the presence of the Lord. Resentment. Hurt. Crying. Confusion. Anger. Fear. More resentment. Mourning. Confidently I believe to be summing up just some of the most powerful emotions that we have been grappling with as a community, and most certainly on a personal level, due to the transpiring events. Our only consolation comes from knowing where Alex dwells at this moment, and the fact that not a single leaf shakes on a tree apart from the will of God. The purpose behind this tragic event will be unfolding for years to come, the ultimate will of the Lord will be fulfilled, and we can rest assured that Alex Castro's life and death will have never been in vain. He was pure, honest: a person of the highest integrity and transparency in his living. God had prepared him well for what was about to happen to him, because in the last few weeks of his life, Alex Castro was running around and serving every one of us, in any way he could.
On Thursday night during Easter week, I saw Alex and Coky (his best friend and fellow missionary) exalted with a 10 minute primetime news special highlighting the Christian Surfers Organization and the amazing work these guys had accomplished during such a short period of time in Jaco. The week before that I had the pleasure of sitting before Alex with a bunch of our disciples as him, Coky and Rebecca read the sacred words of the Bible to us and in front of the National Surf Circuit contest booth, an event that Alex had been asked to host and narrate. This only gives you a slight peak into the type of person he was, and just how beloved he had become in the last short years of his precious life. The very last time that I had the honor of serving alongside him as his English interpreter, he took the time to sit me down after the study and say his goodbye. He didn't say it directly, but the mood and tone of our conversation confirmed it. I remember thinking, "Wait a minute Alex, why does it feel like you are bidding farewell"? All I can say is that somehow, he knew.
Promptly at four o'clock on Saturday we held a small and intimate memorial service for our brother and pastor on the very property that he had worked so hard to build. The Lord showed compassion on us and provided a dark and gloomy afternoon full of heavy clouds and rain showers. And the people showed up. The place was packed! Our little palapa-style meeting place had an overflow going all the way back past the driveway and practically out into the street. With a mixed spirit of praise and weeping, our small community endured the weather and gladly attended his farewell ceremony, packed in like a bunch of wet sardines (just the way Alex would have liked it).
A police unit slowly led the way as an assembly of about two hundred souls walked somberly behind it on course to the beach. This is the place where his ashes belong, on the shores of Jaco. For long before his ashes were spilled, he had poured out the whole of his heart and soul all over the people of this beautiful town. All who had taken their surfboards with them laid them down on the beach in the form of a giant cross, extending about fifty feet in one direction and about eighty in the other. It was now late evening, and the sky was of a pinkish-blue hue, with the storm clouds now dry yet looming in the background. His mother and Coky held his ashes at the center as our large community of surfers and non-surfers, both great and small, held hands and blessed the Lord for Alex, and because we had gathered in his name. It was an impressive sight for all who were present, for we had formed a giant circle all for the glory of the Lord.
Mrs. Guevara then proceeded to distribute his ashes in small plastic baggies to those of his closest friends, and in a loud and pleasant battle cry we all ran in for our surfboards, took hold of our bag and paddled out into the dark and intimidating lineup. It was a day of great swell, yet at the prayer of one of his sons the Almighty stilled the waters, and the ferocious waves of the sea were calmed in order to make way for his people. By this time we were more silhouettes than surfers, warm bodies instead of people, and brothers instead of friends.
We held hands and worshiped the Lord for Alex, and gave glorious praise; for the will of the Lord had been accomplished. In a single motion we tossed his ashes into the middle and the remains of our beloved became one with the ocean indeed, one within all of us. In one of my most memorable teachings from Alex he had us all read, sing aloud and worship together to the sound of a guitar, as in unison we repeated over and over:
Psalm 100
A Psalm. For giving thanks.
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; Come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, And we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.
Luis Fernando Herrera
Christian Surfers / ALO Foundation
Jaco Centro, Costa Rica.
506-826-0589
www.SupportJacoYouth.com
God is in control
From time to time, I can see myself getting ahead of what God has planned. This is commonly referred to in an allegory (or an analogy) of the horse and carriage. "Don't let the carriage in front of the horse." How can the carriage get to where it's supposed to go if the horses do not pull it? I refer to this a lot with my Christian walk and frequently need to give myself a systems check, so to speak. God IS in control, even when we don't think He is. He is in control over the so called "bad" things in our lives as well. Who are we to say that because things "don't go our way" that it is not God's will? In our weakness we are made stronger. It is during these times that God reveals His perfect will for our lives. This has been the case for me these last several months. I have been having a difficult time dealing with pressures of work, school, family, ministry, friends and even sins.... All of these things pull for my attention and take my eyes off the real reason for our existence - to serve God and to do ALL things for His pleasure! He will reward us 100 times more than we could image He would by following what He has planned!
To illustrate this (and as a reminder to myself and hopefully a reference to others) there are three things to remember: God is bigger than all creation; God is bigger than any problem; and God is bigger than our will. First let me give credit where credit is due... much of this was outlined by Larry Grine, lead pastor at Dayspring Fellowship in Keizer, Oregon. But I thought this to be so simple, yet so important to share with others. I mainly want to express the importance of this through my own experiences. I feel like it is stronger testimony to share that with you than to quote Bible versus. However if you would like to look these up for yourselves here is the scripture:
God is bigger than all creation: Psalm 19, 33:9, 103:9; Jeremiah 32:17; Revelation 4:11
God is bigger than any problem: Daniel 6; Psalm 24:8; II Chronicles 32; Luke 18:27
God is bigger than our will: Daniel 3:6,12, 4:35; Psalm 115:3; Job 42:2; II Corinthians 12:11
The topic that hit home with me was the last of God's will is bigger than ours. We can try to live out our own petty desires and not seek where God wants us to be and struggle through life OR we can surrender our will and do what He wants and enjoy our life more than we could EVER imagine.
The story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in Daniel ch. 3 illustrates this well. For simplicity, let's refer to them as Rach, Shach and Benny (anyone every watch Veggie Tales?). They had made a decision to live their lives for their God no matter what the conciquences. They had been promoted to high positions by the king Nebuchadnezzar. Nebuchadnezzar was very powerful and wanted all of the people in the land to worship his idols and, specifically, to bow down to a giant statue. Rach, Shach and Benny would not, of course, so as a punishment Nebuchadnezzar threw them into a fiery furnace. They stated to him that they didn't need to defend their decision knowing that God's will would be done. "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."
This struck me for the very first time in a different way. They didn't know that God would keep them from frying! They simply trusted Him to do what His will would be, whether that meant frying to a crisp in the fire or being delivered and protected from harm. They stated to the king, "the God we serve is able to save us from it [the furnace fire]." Note they say He is ABLE. This tells me they were not sure of the outcome, only God would do what was within His will. The story ends by Nebuchadnezzar seeing that they in fact didn't die but were protected from ANY harm to them. As they came out of the furnace Nebuchadnezzar promoted them to royal positions within his kingdom.
God is big, isn't He? Much bigger than you or I and much bigger than we can fathom in our puny little minds. There is no reasoning God, only believing. Just like you believe that when you fly in an airplane that you will get from point A to point B by flying through the air, so we should believe that the creator of this world can do ANYTHING and that we should be humble enough to admit that we can NEVER understand God and His creation but to only trust in Him and follow His will for our lives.
Here are some questions to ponder:
What does the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in Daniel 3 have to teach us about God's power, His will and our submission to him?
What is the difference between "there is nothing my God cannot do" and "there is nothing my God will not do"? Which do you believe? What danger lurks in the thinking behind this distinction?
How will you respond to this message? What new thing does God want you to know about Him and what will you do as a result?
To illustrate this (and as a reminder to myself and hopefully a reference to others) there are three things to remember: God is bigger than all creation; God is bigger than any problem; and God is bigger than our will. First let me give credit where credit is due... much of this was outlined by Larry Grine, lead pastor at Dayspring Fellowship in Keizer, Oregon. But I thought this to be so simple, yet so important to share with others. I mainly want to express the importance of this through my own experiences. I feel like it is stronger testimony to share that with you than to quote Bible versus. However if you would like to look these up for yourselves here is the scripture:
God is bigger than all creation: Psalm 19, 33:9, 103:9; Jeremiah 32:17; Revelation 4:11
God is bigger than any problem: Daniel 6; Psalm 24:8; II Chronicles 32; Luke 18:27
God is bigger than our will: Daniel 3:6,12, 4:35; Psalm 115:3; Job 42:2; II Corinthians 12:11
The topic that hit home with me was the last of God's will is bigger than ours. We can try to live out our own petty desires and not seek where God wants us to be and struggle through life OR we can surrender our will and do what He wants and enjoy our life more than we could EVER imagine.
The story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in Daniel ch. 3 illustrates this well. For simplicity, let's refer to them as Rach, Shach and Benny (anyone every watch Veggie Tales?). They had made a decision to live their lives for their God no matter what the conciquences. They had been promoted to high positions by the king Nebuchadnezzar. Nebuchadnezzar was very powerful and wanted all of the people in the land to worship his idols and, specifically, to bow down to a giant statue. Rach, Shach and Benny would not, of course, so as a punishment Nebuchadnezzar threw them into a fiery furnace. They stated to him that they didn't need to defend their decision knowing that God's will would be done. "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."
This struck me for the very first time in a different way. They didn't know that God would keep them from frying! They simply trusted Him to do what His will would be, whether that meant frying to a crisp in the fire or being delivered and protected from harm. They stated to the king, "the God we serve is able to save us from it [the furnace fire]." Note they say He is ABLE. This tells me they were not sure of the outcome, only God would do what was within His will. The story ends by Nebuchadnezzar seeing that they in fact didn't die but were protected from ANY harm to them. As they came out of the furnace Nebuchadnezzar promoted them to royal positions within his kingdom.
God is big, isn't He? Much bigger than you or I and much bigger than we can fathom in our puny little minds. There is no reasoning God, only believing. Just like you believe that when you fly in an airplane that you will get from point A to point B by flying through the air, so we should believe that the creator of this world can do ANYTHING and that we should be humble enough to admit that we can NEVER understand God and His creation but to only trust in Him and follow His will for our lives.
Here are some questions to ponder:
What does the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in Daniel 3 have to teach us about God's power, His will and our submission to him?
What is the difference between "there is nothing my God cannot do" and "there is nothing my God will not do"? Which do you believe? What danger lurks in the thinking behind this distinction?
How will you respond to this message? What new thing does God want you to know about Him and what will you do as a result?
Time keeps on slippin', slippin', slippin'.... into the future....
Remember that song? If your under age 30 probably not. It wasn't ever a top song when I was a kid but I just remember it for some reason... And it resonates with me right now. It feels like time IS slipping away. Since my last entry, I have started classes to finish my Bachelor's degree and have found that time isn't as abundant as I once thought it was, even though it seemed sparse then too. There is always that one thing that I keep telling myself I am going to do when I "have the time for it." Yeah, right. If I don't make the time, it won't happen. School work has taken most of my time as of lately. And it ticks me off. I can see the purpose for what I am doing by going back to school, but this has been a hard stretch of a few months and I almost feel as if I want to throw in the towel.
Then I realize what I am doing this all for... It's not for me, because as far as I care I would just keep working along at my job and not give a damn about ever going for my Bachelor's or going back to school at all. I enjoy my job and I feel adequately qualified for it. But something deep down tells me I am doing this for a bigger purpose. I know that there is something bigger planned and that my education will have a factor in deciding this future. God is bigger than me (thankfully) and He knows my purpose. I am following His lead and taking advice from the best education advisor I could ever ask for.
Time. That is what I pray for almost daily. Of course without a ton of time (or even a gram of time) it's been hard to stay focused on God. That is my fault because I haven't made Him the priority as of lately. I have been so immersed in school that I have lost time with Him. I want to change this, so the reason I am writing this blog entry. I want to remember what I am feeling now so I can remind myself later to stay focused. I cannot do this (or anything for that matter) without God. He will guide me the whole way and will show me when to act, to speak, to move, to think, to lead, to follow, to listen and to be still. Being still is perhaps the most valuable of all of these now. I need to hear His voice and act when He whispers. Be still.
Then I realize what I am doing this all for... It's not for me, because as far as I care I would just keep working along at my job and not give a damn about ever going for my Bachelor's or going back to school at all. I enjoy my job and I feel adequately qualified for it. But something deep down tells me I am doing this for a bigger purpose. I know that there is something bigger planned and that my education will have a factor in deciding this future. God is bigger than me (thankfully) and He knows my purpose. I am following His lead and taking advice from the best education advisor I could ever ask for.
Time. That is what I pray for almost daily. Of course without a ton of time (or even a gram of time) it's been hard to stay focused on God. That is my fault because I haven't made Him the priority as of lately. I have been so immersed in school that I have lost time with Him. I want to change this, so the reason I am writing this blog entry. I want to remember what I am feeling now so I can remind myself later to stay focused. I cannot do this (or anything for that matter) without God. He will guide me the whole way and will show me when to act, to speak, to move, to think, to lead, to follow, to listen and to be still. Being still is perhaps the most valuable of all of these now. I need to hear His voice and act when He whispers. Be still.
Planning ahead...
It is presumptuous to plan too much about the future. But what about strategic planning, retirement funds, career goals, and saving up for a long-planned vacation? Is that presuming upon the future?
Jesus calls the farmer a fool for planning to tear down his barn and build a bigger one to store his wealth (Luke 12:28). In another story Jesus seems to assume that a sensible person will plan ahead and count the cost before starting a building project (Luke 14:28). But then James scoffs at those who make travel or business plans. “Why you do not even know what will happen tomorrow” (James 4:14). Is it foolish to plan ahead or is it just good common sense?
For me the answer lies in how tightly I grip my fists around my plan, how firmly I grit my teeth to reach my goal. James goes on to say, “Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will we will live and do this or that’” (James 4:15). Jesus’ problem with the rich farmer who was going to build a bigger barn was not his planning, it was his self-centeredness. The problem comes when we care more about our plans than we do about God’s plans. The farmer with the barn plans was a short-timer and a fool. Jesus warns others with a similar bent. “This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God” (Luke 12:21).
Planning ahead is not a problem. But more important than our plans should be our desire to be “rich toward God.”
Jesus calls the farmer a fool for planning to tear down his barn and build a bigger one to store his wealth (Luke 12:28). In another story Jesus seems to assume that a sensible person will plan ahead and count the cost before starting a building project (Luke 14:28). But then James scoffs at those who make travel or business plans. “Why you do not even know what will happen tomorrow” (James 4:14). Is it foolish to plan ahead or is it just good common sense?
For me the answer lies in how tightly I grip my fists around my plan, how firmly I grit my teeth to reach my goal. James goes on to say, “Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will we will live and do this or that’” (James 4:15). Jesus’ problem with the rich farmer who was going to build a bigger barn was not his planning, it was his self-centeredness. The problem comes when we care more about our plans than we do about God’s plans. The farmer with the barn plans was a short-timer and a fool. Jesus warns others with a similar bent. “This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God” (Luke 12:21).
Planning ahead is not a problem. But more important than our plans should be our desire to be “rich toward God.”
Sowing the Seeds of Love...
Sounds like a song I remember from Tears for Fears... hmm. Actually the title of this post refers to something a little (but not entirely) different. Parables. They were used extensively in the New Testament by Jesus to show his deciples what he meant by what he was saying. The parable I am referring to is from Matthew 13:3-8, that of the farmer and sowing of seeds:
"A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown."
This is by far the best parable that relates to our spiritual walk. In the first example it refers to seed falling on the path and birds eating it up. This is like the very weak spirited person that allows anything and everything to distract them from God. The examples gradually progresses from hard, rocky soil to good soil. This progression is that of our walk and how when we conciously attempt to weed (repenting or turning away from sin) and sow the soil (reading the bible and learning God's word) we will produce a crop that is multiplied beyond what we can imagine (winning souls for Christ).
Below is a letter I received from a friend who packed up everything and headed for a small country on the northern tip of South America called Suriname. God called him and his family to go there to teach in a Christian School. Here is what he wrote:
------------
"Hello Brothers in Christ,
To try and communicate some things to most of all the brothers I trust and care for will encompass some things that some of you can relate to, and others not so much. Forgive me thinking on-screen, I am just needing an outlet to a listening friend. Never before in my christian life has this sense of aloneness been so complete, though as a teenager, out tripping on the beaches and canyons of so.cal I found solace with my trusty guitar, and writing the ramblings of a lost boy in journals. I kept all of those musings and have them in a steel box in Seaside along with the student ID cards, hippie beads, drawings and headbands of another life. Here, however, is an entirely different place to write from, and to, and for reasons I am hoping to discover in the months to come, if at all.
I remember learning from my step-dad how to garden well. And if it wasn't well done, it would be done again, and again, and again.....until it was well done, good and faithful son. Even then, I understood the significance of turning the soil over, nursing the soil, building it up and preparing it well for the sowing. As a new believer in 1981 my soul began to learn the lessons of the Master Gardener from the parables. I committed the first year of my devotional life to reading, memorizing and getting into the story of the sower and the four soils. My early ferverent prayers were to be a disciple with deep roots, nourished, in good and hard times. Weed free, literally, and not out on the public road of acceptance, or choking and competing with the worlds enticements. Then I began growing food in my yards, and it has all come back to me.
My allegiance to my wife and children to protect and provide for them, has been my garden of sorts. I have prayed and fought for them to grow up as weed free as possible, cultivated in deep and meaningful soil, and spared the broad road that led to my own hard,dry,worn path. And when I was a youth pastor in Santa Cruz the garden included a bunch of other kids from the streets and broken homes of Soquel and Capitola. I remember feeling like the tired gardner who could't keep up with the weeds. When I prayed hard, and spent quality time, the weeds were at bay. When I got lazy, tired, or out of focus on the soil, up would come the weeds, thorns, and pain, that eventually broke my heart as a pastor.....then as a science teacher at Broadway Middle School, and now as a visiting worker in foreign lands.
Though the soil is of different colors, and the weeds are just as vigorous, gardening souls here is hard. The same crabgrass of sarcasm, clover of callousness, and weeds of the world (money, sex, pride, materialism etc...) infest this place too. I am torn as to my allegiance of where my skills will go. When I arrive at school, it is full-on garden-time of the soul until 2. Then theres soccer, youth group, and the school work until sleep. In my limited little world I still thought I'd just come and teach reading, writing, science etc...and play. But the Lord had a different job description than mine, duh...
So here I find myself, serving as a full-time youth pastor, missionary, and mentor to 100 international children. Every contact is rooted for the Lord. Every word, song, and grade, is looking to bear fruit for the gospel. And I'm still figuring out that this was not a vacation teaching experience. I'm on the front line, not the pool deck, of ministry. All my trusty tools and comforts are at home. I have nothing to rinse away the fatigue and dirt from a days service. I wake up with dirt under my skin, and the anticipation of pulling weeds and digging into lives all day, to plow up some fresh soil for Jesus. The weariness I felt in Santa Cruz has returned. The ligering dirt I lived with in Santa Monica gets stirred up everyday as I see and hear of these kids pains, and sufferrings. I can rejoice in the new soil coming up, and then glimpses of growth too. But at the end of the day, home and sweating until bed, the lonesome, and out-there feelings come to remind me that I am working , not for my agenda, but the Lords. And it is hard.
Thankfully I am taking little adventures here and there. Learning to windsurf, though the guys all desperately need Jesus and therefore I'm gardening again. I have come to value those bike rides on the beach, the afternoon paddle out til dark, the fire in the livingroom, and the voice of you, my brothers, and fellow gardners in Christ. There are no soul brothers here, mostly younger guys needing discipling, and some gardening tips...So, here I write, thinking of home fields, and the great tools there to really serve the Master. I wonder, are you guys gardening deeply with your unsaved friends? Are you pulling weeds for your families? Are you digging deeper into the good soil of the Lord in fellowship, worship, and study? You have all the comforts of home, that I dont, save one. Jesus.
Please pray for the school and the students here. The hindu, muslim, and rasta, all are corrupt with weeds and deciet. All need Him. My students are lonely, scared, and confused about the Love of God. And the student body is torn with whats cool, and whats not. Jesus is not. And my family is daily letting things go that they held onto for this venture. Surrendering what we wanted , for what He wants. This is hard, and your prayers and encouragement are needed and appreciated.
I hope and pray for you all that you are in the garden..."
--------
To say I have it hard, even with the "hardships" I have had through money issues and job issues, I cannot complain, but only be thankful...
"A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown."
This is by far the best parable that relates to our spiritual walk. In the first example it refers to seed falling on the path and birds eating it up. This is like the very weak spirited person that allows anything and everything to distract them from God. The examples gradually progresses from hard, rocky soil to good soil. This progression is that of our walk and how when we conciously attempt to weed (repenting or turning away from sin) and sow the soil (reading the bible and learning God's word) we will produce a crop that is multiplied beyond what we can imagine (winning souls for Christ).
Below is a letter I received from a friend who packed up everything and headed for a small country on the northern tip of South America called Suriname. God called him and his family to go there to teach in a Christian School. Here is what he wrote:
------------
"Hello Brothers in Christ,
To try and communicate some things to most of all the brothers I trust and care for will encompass some things that some of you can relate to, and others not so much. Forgive me thinking on-screen, I am just needing an outlet to a listening friend. Never before in my christian life has this sense of aloneness been so complete, though as a teenager, out tripping on the beaches and canyons of so.cal I found solace with my trusty guitar, and writing the ramblings of a lost boy in journals. I kept all of those musings and have them in a steel box in Seaside along with the student ID cards, hippie beads, drawings and headbands of another life. Here, however, is an entirely different place to write from, and to, and for reasons I am hoping to discover in the months to come, if at all.
I remember learning from my step-dad how to garden well. And if it wasn't well done, it would be done again, and again, and again.....until it was well done, good and faithful son. Even then, I understood the significance of turning the soil over, nursing the soil, building it up and preparing it well for the sowing. As a new believer in 1981 my soul began to learn the lessons of the Master Gardener from the parables. I committed the first year of my devotional life to reading, memorizing and getting into the story of the sower and the four soils. My early ferverent prayers were to be a disciple with deep roots, nourished, in good and hard times. Weed free, literally, and not out on the public road of acceptance, or choking and competing with the worlds enticements. Then I began growing food in my yards, and it has all come back to me.
My allegiance to my wife and children to protect and provide for them, has been my garden of sorts. I have prayed and fought for them to grow up as weed free as possible, cultivated in deep and meaningful soil, and spared the broad road that led to my own hard,dry,worn path. And when I was a youth pastor in Santa Cruz the garden included a bunch of other kids from the streets and broken homes of Soquel and Capitola. I remember feeling like the tired gardner who could't keep up with the weeds. When I prayed hard, and spent quality time, the weeds were at bay. When I got lazy, tired, or out of focus on the soil, up would come the weeds, thorns, and pain, that eventually broke my heart as a pastor.....then as a science teacher at Broadway Middle School, and now as a visiting worker in foreign lands.
Though the soil is of different colors, and the weeds are just as vigorous, gardening souls here is hard. The same crabgrass of sarcasm, clover of callousness, and weeds of the world (money, sex, pride, materialism etc...) infest this place too. I am torn as to my allegiance of where my skills will go. When I arrive at school, it is full-on garden-time of the soul until 2. Then theres soccer, youth group, and the school work until sleep. In my limited little world I still thought I'd just come and teach reading, writing, science etc...and play. But the Lord had a different job description than mine, duh...
So here I find myself, serving as a full-time youth pastor, missionary, and mentor to 100 international children. Every contact is rooted for the Lord. Every word, song, and grade, is looking to bear fruit for the gospel. And I'm still figuring out that this was not a vacation teaching experience. I'm on the front line, not the pool deck, of ministry. All my trusty tools and comforts are at home. I have nothing to rinse away the fatigue and dirt from a days service. I wake up with dirt under my skin, and the anticipation of pulling weeds and digging into lives all day, to plow up some fresh soil for Jesus. The weariness I felt in Santa Cruz has returned. The ligering dirt I lived with in Santa Monica gets stirred up everyday as I see and hear of these kids pains, and sufferrings. I can rejoice in the new soil coming up, and then glimpses of growth too. But at the end of the day, home and sweating until bed, the lonesome, and out-there feelings come to remind me that I am working , not for my agenda, but the Lords. And it is hard.
Thankfully I am taking little adventures here and there. Learning to windsurf, though the guys all desperately need Jesus and therefore I'm gardening again. I have come to value those bike rides on the beach, the afternoon paddle out til dark, the fire in the livingroom, and the voice of you, my brothers, and fellow gardners in Christ. There are no soul brothers here, mostly younger guys needing discipling, and some gardening tips...So, here I write, thinking of home fields, and the great tools there to really serve the Master. I wonder, are you guys gardening deeply with your unsaved friends? Are you pulling weeds for your families? Are you digging deeper into the good soil of the Lord in fellowship, worship, and study? You have all the comforts of home, that I dont, save one. Jesus.
Please pray for the school and the students here. The hindu, muslim, and rasta, all are corrupt with weeds and deciet. All need Him. My students are lonely, scared, and confused about the Love of God. And the student body is torn with whats cool, and whats not. Jesus is not. And my family is daily letting things go that they held onto for this venture. Surrendering what we wanted , for what He wants. This is hard, and your prayers and encouragement are needed and appreciated.
I hope and pray for you all that you are in the garden..."
--------
To say I have it hard, even with the "hardships" I have had through money issues and job issues, I cannot complain, but only be thankful...
Change
The time is here. I have decided I need to take some time away and focus solely on God. The question is when and where? That is in the hands of Him and I will know it is time when He decides. What I am talking about it praying and fasting. There is a desire deep within me to do this. I feel the ever-present tug to committ solely to praying and thinking about God and being still in His presence so I can hear what He wants me to do. Our lives are so full of stuff that I think we tend to forget in the busyness about God and our function and purpose here.
This last week I heard J.P. Moreland speak on the college campus where I work about the spiritual warfare going on inside of us and around us. It is so obvious to me that our existence here is plagued by an evil presence. I have heard and seen situations with numerous people just this summer about this evil and how they have relized its presence and dealt with it on a spiritual level. This sort of stuff gets really deep for the average Christian and most don't even realize it is happening until it is too late.
My church is one of these places. We have gone through a split in the last 2 years and have since hired a new pastor and have lost 5 pastors. It may seem this would be bad for the church but it has only been the opposite. As my mentor Mike Barrett put it, our roots are growing deep and winter is here. It is only a matter of time that spring will be here and the buds will begin to blossom and grow. Like the parable of the fig tree being pruned to produce more fruit, we are being pruned to be more fruitful. Our congregation of 2500 had been split down the middle and has since turned over almost completely save a few hundred dedicated servants. I believe that these servants are the core of the church and have been called to serve in a much, MUCH bigger way. Something incredible is happening here within our Christian community, from the church to the streets. Ministry will take on a new meaning and will no longer be associated with the stuffy church setting that kills us.
About a month ago, our Executive Pastor and Administrator, and his wife (who was also the women's ministry pastor) left the church. It was a shock to the congregation but a needed one. I believe the direction that he and his wife wanted to move was not within the will of God for our church. The reason I believe this is that a day later our lead pastor called one of our interim pastors that spoke several times over the past year to fill in before our lead pastor was hired. But a day before he was called he had typed an email ready to send asking if there were any positions available that he may be able to serve. He deleted the email as he didn't want to come across as being pushy or "haughty" about his Godly insight. He had also turned down a great pastoring position knowing there wasn't any current openings at our church, but that God moved him to do this and to take that faithful step.
The Spirit is moving. The Holy Spirit will pour out onto the Earth in the final days...
This last week I heard J.P. Moreland speak on the college campus where I work about the spiritual warfare going on inside of us and around us. It is so obvious to me that our existence here is plagued by an evil presence. I have heard and seen situations with numerous people just this summer about this evil and how they have relized its presence and dealt with it on a spiritual level. This sort of stuff gets really deep for the average Christian and most don't even realize it is happening until it is too late.
My church is one of these places. We have gone through a split in the last 2 years and have since hired a new pastor and have lost 5 pastors. It may seem this would be bad for the church but it has only been the opposite. As my mentor Mike Barrett put it, our roots are growing deep and winter is here. It is only a matter of time that spring will be here and the buds will begin to blossom and grow. Like the parable of the fig tree being pruned to produce more fruit, we are being pruned to be more fruitful. Our congregation of 2500 had been split down the middle and has since turned over almost completely save a few hundred dedicated servants. I believe that these servants are the core of the church and have been called to serve in a much, MUCH bigger way. Something incredible is happening here within our Christian community, from the church to the streets. Ministry will take on a new meaning and will no longer be associated with the stuffy church setting that kills us.
About a month ago, our Executive Pastor and Administrator, and his wife (who was also the women's ministry pastor) left the church. It was a shock to the congregation but a needed one. I believe the direction that he and his wife wanted to move was not within the will of God for our church. The reason I believe this is that a day later our lead pastor called one of our interim pastors that spoke several times over the past year to fill in before our lead pastor was hired. But a day before he was called he had typed an email ready to send asking if there were any positions available that he may be able to serve. He deleted the email as he didn't want to come across as being pushy or "haughty" about his Godly insight. He had also turned down a great pastoring position knowing there wasn't any current openings at our church, but that God moved him to do this and to take that faithful step.
The Spirit is moving. The Holy Spirit will pour out onto the Earth in the final days...
Committment
Lately I have been thinking about what it means to be fully committed to something that means a lot to me. There are several things in my life right now that fit into this category.
The first would easily be to my wife and my family. I am committed as a husband and father and intend to do all that it takes to be all I can be to them. My son is now over 3 years old and my new son is coming in October. How awesome having boys and a supporting wife is!
The second would probably be surfing. I am committed to going regularly with friends to surf. Just last night I took off from work right at 5 and went to the coast with 2 friends. We surfed from about 6:30 pm to 8:15 pm. It was incredible. The conditions were about 4 ft. swells, an incoming tide and very little wind. We surfed into the sunset and into the dark and were the only people out there! Fun little "bowly" waves that were challenging but worth the trip.
The third (ties into the second) would be ministry. I am not saying that surfing comes before ministry, but that surfing IS my ministry, so the reason it is listed second. Christian Surfers of Oregon has fueled my passion for reaching out to lost, wandering surfers of my hometown surf spots. Being a part of CSO is what God has called me to and I feel blessed and priviledged to be a part of it.
Over all of these committments is my committment to God. He has made all of this possible and I am totally committed to serving Him in any manner possible, whether it be with my family, surfing, or leading bible studies...
Which brings me to the point of this post. My first post on this blog was one of disappointment in myself. I felt as though I had let God down and was not serving how I should be. This time away from the bible studies I led with CSO has made me realize many things. God has shown me that it isn't about bible studies or even CSO, it is about Him. He does care for the ministry and has blessed it because of this and because of the loyal servants serving within it. But ministry is not about any one organization or any one group of people. Ultimately it is about reaching out to the lost, connecting with them through relationships and growing together in faith and life to be tools to reach even more.
There are several people in my life who have helped me realize this through God's leading. I look forward to learning more through them and the knowledge they have in God and Christ.
Commit yourself to something worth your precious time here on Earth. It is a short life that needs substance and not worldly things that will rot and rust away. The spiritual fullness that you can receive by committing your life to God and to Jesus is more than any high in life that you can receive.
Committed to God.
The first would easily be to my wife and my family. I am committed as a husband and father and intend to do all that it takes to be all I can be to them. My son is now over 3 years old and my new son is coming in October. How awesome having boys and a supporting wife is!
The second would probably be surfing. I am committed to going regularly with friends to surf. Just last night I took off from work right at 5 and went to the coast with 2 friends. We surfed from about 6:30 pm to 8:15 pm. It was incredible. The conditions were about 4 ft. swells, an incoming tide and very little wind. We surfed into the sunset and into the dark and were the only people out there! Fun little "bowly" waves that were challenging but worth the trip.
The third (ties into the second) would be ministry. I am not saying that surfing comes before ministry, but that surfing IS my ministry, so the reason it is listed second. Christian Surfers of Oregon has fueled my passion for reaching out to lost, wandering surfers of my hometown surf spots. Being a part of CSO is what God has called me to and I feel blessed and priviledged to be a part of it.
Over all of these committments is my committment to God. He has made all of this possible and I am totally committed to serving Him in any manner possible, whether it be with my family, surfing, or leading bible studies...
Which brings me to the point of this post. My first post on this blog was one of disappointment in myself. I felt as though I had let God down and was not serving how I should be. This time away from the bible studies I led with CSO has made me realize many things. God has shown me that it isn't about bible studies or even CSO, it is about Him. He does care for the ministry and has blessed it because of this and because of the loyal servants serving within it. But ministry is not about any one organization or any one group of people. Ultimately it is about reaching out to the lost, connecting with them through relationships and growing together in faith and life to be tools to reach even more.
There are several people in my life who have helped me realize this through God's leading. I look forward to learning more through them and the knowledge they have in God and Christ.
Commit yourself to something worth your precious time here on Earth. It is a short life that needs substance and not worldly things that will rot and rust away. The spiritual fullness that you can receive by committing your life to God and to Jesus is more than any high in life that you can receive.
Committed to God.
ME ME ME ME ME
ME. What a word. Overused yes. Guilty of using it WAY too often yes. Just something to ponder. Are you really going to complain about THAT today?! Think about it. We as Americans are SOOOO spoiled with what we have. Even the homeless, some by choice of circumstance, are much better off than the best of some other countries in our dark world. ME. Let's start thinking about YOU and THEM and HE and SHE. And then let's start doing something about it. Listen. Act. Learn. And Live it.
The wrapping on the box
It came to me today. Sitting with my boss having lunch. Are we really doing all we can? I realized I have been in a state of limbo lately, not sure why, but knowingly I had been in a stand still or a form of stagnation. I have been in a holding pattern.
It is not what I had expected after returning home from a week in Hawaii for the National Christian Surfers Leadership Conference. I was pumped! But something was wrong. Mentally I was ready to go, but spiritually there was healing that needed to be done. You see, Hawaii made me realize that I wasn't ready. Not ready for the position I thought I was ready for. It was made clear that if I am not knowing God myself and am not completely surrendering myself to His will, then I wasn't ready to be a leader for Him. I am a follower and a servant, yes. But a leader, no. In due time.
This last week I decided to stop leading bible studies in Salem for Christian Surfers. I need to devote time to God in prayer. I need to seek Him and make it a priority.
The death of a close co-worker has also opened my eyes to this. He was a prayer warrior and died praying on a mission trip in London. He was a model person, not only to the typical person, but he was beyond. He had an insight like no other. In a way, I believe he was given a higher discernment to know God's will and what he should say or do.
God has put situations in my path in these last few months that has shown me that I need to seek and follow and not lead, at least not for right now and possibly after I fast and pray about this. To lead others astray is death. And I feel that is what I was capable of doing. I feel as though I was the wrapping paper on the box or the present and it was all surface. It was all pretty and perfect on the outside, but a brown, plain, corregated, recycled paper box on the inside. That was empty.
Books, conversations, circumstances, surroundings... they were all pointing to this... and even writing this blog I am realizing how true this is.
Devote time to prayer... lots of time... I mean a lot. "Pray without ceasing." That means ALL the time. God will listen if you speak and ask Him to. And He will answer. In ways that would never be expected...
It is not what I had expected after returning home from a week in Hawaii for the National Christian Surfers Leadership Conference. I was pumped! But something was wrong. Mentally I was ready to go, but spiritually there was healing that needed to be done. You see, Hawaii made me realize that I wasn't ready. Not ready for the position I thought I was ready for. It was made clear that if I am not knowing God myself and am not completely surrendering myself to His will, then I wasn't ready to be a leader for Him. I am a follower and a servant, yes. But a leader, no. In due time.
This last week I decided to stop leading bible studies in Salem for Christian Surfers. I need to devote time to God in prayer. I need to seek Him and make it a priority.
The death of a close co-worker has also opened my eyes to this. He was a prayer warrior and died praying on a mission trip in London. He was a model person, not only to the typical person, but he was beyond. He had an insight like no other. In a way, I believe he was given a higher discernment to know God's will and what he should say or do.
God has put situations in my path in these last few months that has shown me that I need to seek and follow and not lead, at least not for right now and possibly after I fast and pray about this. To lead others astray is death. And I feel that is what I was capable of doing. I feel as though I was the wrapping paper on the box or the present and it was all surface. It was all pretty and perfect on the outside, but a brown, plain, corregated, recycled paper box on the inside. That was empty.
Books, conversations, circumstances, surroundings... they were all pointing to this... and even writing this blog I am realizing how true this is.
Devote time to prayer... lots of time... I mean a lot. "Pray without ceasing." That means ALL the time. God will listen if you speak and ask Him to. And He will answer. In ways that would never be expected...
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