I gotta praise God
I'm enjoying this morning at one of the top universities in the nation. I'm about to graduate with a bachelor's degree. I have the best girlfriend the world has ever known! I'm surrounded by irreplaceable friendships. I have a loving, Spirit-filled Christian family. I'm involved in the Calvary Chapel movement and my future is too good to be true. I'm able to participate with missionaries across the world. God takes care of my grades and He's given me the perfect job for this school year. I get to read commentaries and listen to teaching as much as I want...and I get to share it with others!
And most of all, He's building my personality and expanding my life. Creator of the universe has breakfast with me...hallelujah!
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Monday, September 3, 2007
School Days
we're off and running.
school started last week. I enjoy my classes in general and I can see the Lord's influence in the way I'm more on top of my studies. Katie likes it here at A&M. Kellen likes 3rd grade, especially recess.
new ministries also started this week. we had our first "engage" college group on thursday. we have great potential to bring young believers to maturity and get them fired up about God's work around the world. the jr. high crew has their own "radiate" study sunday mornings and I get to help with that. I love seeing the lightbulbs click on as we discuss the Word together.
everything looks great for this final school year. I'm surrounded by great friends and I'm glad to have Katie in town. church life is a wide open door and I'm throwing myself into it. what can I say to all this good God has brought me!
school started last week. I enjoy my classes in general and I can see the Lord's influence in the way I'm more on top of my studies. Katie likes it here at A&M. Kellen likes 3rd grade, especially recess.
new ministries also started this week. we had our first "engage" college group on thursday. we have great potential to bring young believers to maturity and get them fired up about God's work around the world. the jr. high crew has their own "radiate" study sunday mornings and I get to help with that. I love seeing the lightbulbs click on as we discuss the Word together.
everything looks great for this final school year. I'm surrounded by great friends and I'm glad to have Katie in town. church life is a wide open door and I'm throwing myself into it. what can I say to all this good God has brought me!
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
I'm Lovin' My Summer!
I'm lovin' my summer!
I've been so refreshed studying thru more books of the New Testament. God's grace for everything in life is so surprisingly free! and I like seeing Paul battle for sound doctrine. he was constantly questioned by believers and attacked by religious nonbelievers. yet he fought to bring the gospel of grace to most of the known world...what a ministry model!
our ministry here in Brazos Valley is growing. we have a new family settled in our church and our college and youth groups are beginning this month. I took a quick trip to Corpus Christi last week, like a mini-vacation. I had lunch with an old friend and visited CC Coastlands. they have a radio station and I hung out with the station manager most of the afternoon. I caught a nap on this great couch in their secretary's office and the Lord woke me up, assuring me He's given me a work to do. what a great Guy!
He answered our prayers a few weeks ago. my family got together with Laura's family and we all had a great time together. they came to Kerrville and hung out at our house. everyone talked and laughed freely together and ofcourse my parents told stories from my childhood. I also got to spend an extra day at home that weekend, which I've really missed this summer.
I think this must be my missions summer. I enjoyed the CC Missions Conference and discovered Far Reaching Ministries and Gospel For Asia. the lostness of unreached peoples is beginning to tear me up inside. I wonder how many missionaries have stayed home and lived an average Christian life, rather than following that inner call to reach the world. it's heartbreaking to know 80,000 die each day without ever hearing Jesus' name. God created those people in His image and Jesus died for them...are we too lazy and self-absorbed to take the gospel to those God loves? must we gorge ourselves on snacks and possessions when we could be supporting missionaries? ask yourself these questions. what are you doing to fulfill the Great Comission?
I've been so refreshed studying thru more books of the New Testament. God's grace for everything in life is so surprisingly free! and I like seeing Paul battle for sound doctrine. he was constantly questioned by believers and attacked by religious nonbelievers. yet he fought to bring the gospel of grace to most of the known world...what a ministry model!
our ministry here in Brazos Valley is growing. we have a new family settled in our church and our college and youth groups are beginning this month. I took a quick trip to Corpus Christi last week, like a mini-vacation. I had lunch with an old friend and visited CC Coastlands. they have a radio station and I hung out with the station manager most of the afternoon. I caught a nap on this great couch in their secretary's office and the Lord woke me up, assuring me He's given me a work to do. what a great Guy!
He answered our prayers a few weeks ago. my family got together with Laura's family and we all had a great time together. they came to Kerrville and hung out at our house. everyone talked and laughed freely together and ofcourse my parents told stories from my childhood. I also got to spend an extra day at home that weekend, which I've really missed this summer.
I think this must be my missions summer. I enjoyed the CC Missions Conference and discovered Far Reaching Ministries and Gospel For Asia. the lostness of unreached peoples is beginning to tear me up inside. I wonder how many missionaries have stayed home and lived an average Christian life, rather than following that inner call to reach the world. it's heartbreaking to know 80,000 die each day without ever hearing Jesus' name. God created those people in His image and Jesus died for them...are we too lazy and self-absorbed to take the gospel to those God loves? must we gorge ourselves on snacks and possessions when we could be supporting missionaries? ask yourself these questions. what are you doing to fulfill the Great Comission?
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Watching The Rain
I woke up this morning to rain falling against the window.
absolutely beautiful morning. I hit the halfway mark in Romans today. I've grown to love the book. such great chapters on justification by faith. it's freeing me up afresh to study it. I was overwhelmed with gratitude as I watched the rain this morning. I realized I'm happier now than ever before. the Spirit's filling and leading me more now than ever before. I'm not preoccupied with my failures or afraid of the future. simply because God is building me up with His word as I'm faithful to study thru it. breathtaking work of God!
another great discovery this month...Ratatouille! I went with Laura when she visited for a few days and with my family last weekend. the movie is a romantic evening and a great comedy at the same time. it's taking a prominent place on my christmas wish list.
I've been listening to the CC Missions Conference 2005 in my car. such amazing stories of God's grace! men who used to be hippies and drug dealers now establishing churches and bible colleges all over the world. it's reminded me just how ordinary we all are. ministry is the Spirit's work and He uses everyone. I would never sit down at a church meeting and think "okay, in order to start churches in Hungary...let's go witness to a drug dealer." that's the glorious work of the Spirit! I love it!
my prayers are for God to deepen me and sharpen me, and to bring the broken lives of the Brazos Valley into our churches. those are the same people who will reach new territories for Christ!
absolutely beautiful morning. I hit the halfway mark in Romans today. I've grown to love the book. such great chapters on justification by faith. it's freeing me up afresh to study it. I was overwhelmed with gratitude as I watched the rain this morning. I realized I'm happier now than ever before. the Spirit's filling and leading me more now than ever before. I'm not preoccupied with my failures or afraid of the future. simply because God is building me up with His word as I'm faithful to study thru it. breathtaking work of God!
another great discovery this month...Ratatouille! I went with Laura when she visited for a few days and with my family last weekend. the movie is a romantic evening and a great comedy at the same time. it's taking a prominent place on my christmas wish list.
I've been listening to the CC Missions Conference 2005 in my car. such amazing stories of God's grace! men who used to be hippies and drug dealers now establishing churches and bible colleges all over the world. it's reminded me just how ordinary we all are. ministry is the Spirit's work and He uses everyone. I would never sit down at a church meeting and think "okay, in order to start churches in Hungary...let's go witness to a drug dealer." that's the glorious work of the Spirit! I love it!
my prayers are for God to deepen me and sharpen me, and to bring the broken lives of the Brazos Valley into our churches. those are the same people who will reach new territories for Christ!
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Ridin' The Wave
what a stellar week!
Laura's in town for a few days so we're catching up. we've been seeing each other every other week when she comes to take an exam for her correspondence class. we took the Reynolds' girls to Surf's Up last night, played Clue at Sweet Eugene's, and attacked their parents with silly string. a perfect evening!
I'm enjoying my job and God answered my prayers for more hours. I often work the middle of the day and get evenings off, which is great. my apartment is a work in progress...we just got ice trays this week so now we have cold drinks. it's fun putting the place together piece by piece. we should be ready to have people over when fall semester starts.
after enjoying the Pineapple Series, listening to my car radio was just boring. so I downloaded the 2007 Canadian Calvary Chapel Pastor's Conference and I've been soaking that up for over a week. this is getting to be a habit. I already have a European CC Conference ready to listen to next! I never realized how much time I spend in my car and how much I can be learning while I drive.
prayer requests are for more heart, and Spirit directed ministry...as well as good help.
Laura's in town for a few days so we're catching up. we've been seeing each other every other week when she comes to take an exam for her correspondence class. we took the Reynolds' girls to Surf's Up last night, played Clue at Sweet Eugene's, and attacked their parents with silly string. a perfect evening!
I'm enjoying my job and God answered my prayers for more hours. I often work the middle of the day and get evenings off, which is great. my apartment is a work in progress...we just got ice trays this week so now we have cold drinks. it's fun putting the place together piece by piece. we should be ready to have people over when fall semester starts.
after enjoying the Pineapple Series, listening to my car radio was just boring. so I downloaded the 2007 Canadian Calvary Chapel Pastor's Conference and I've been soaking that up for over a week. this is getting to be a habit. I already have a European CC Conference ready to listen to next! I never realized how much time I spend in my car and how much I can be learning while I drive.
prayer requests are for more heart, and Spirit directed ministry...as well as good help.
Saturday, June 2, 2007
Times Are Changing
katie graduated!
we went to her ceremony last night at Tivy Stadium. now she's looking forward to A&M in the fall. I'm so glad I'll be there for her college years. she's a beautiful girl and I know she'll blossom into a strong spiritual woman. I can't wait to see the Lord use her life!
the Lord lit a fire under me this week. I was driving thru campus on monday and the Spirit said "why aren't you out there?" I knew what He meant, so on tuesday I hit campus with my pocket gospels and started sharing with people. I've learned to go from bus stop to bus stop and talk with the people waiting around, and by the time I get back to the first stop there's a new group of people. I've also learned that I have to share the whole gospel with each person or I'm not giving them a real opportunity to repent. I can't gloss over it and just hand them a gospel. I have to fully explain it to each one so the Spirit can convict their hearts.
I also listened to the Pineapple Story Series this week. Otto Koning is a missionary to New Guinea and these are some of his testimonies of God's work there. the lessons God taught him in the jungle have changed my heart. my favorite quote is "don't waste good problems". problems give God a chance to do impossible things, and if you don't give your problems to God you miss out on the miracles. such good lessons. I can see a big change in my prayer life...from praying a lot about myself, to asking for missionaries to be sent and churches built.
my prayer request is for more ability to support missionary families, and more of a heart for them.
we went to her ceremony last night at Tivy Stadium. now she's looking forward to A&M in the fall. I'm so glad I'll be there for her college years. she's a beautiful girl and I know she'll blossom into a strong spiritual woman. I can't wait to see the Lord use her life!
the Lord lit a fire under me this week. I was driving thru campus on monday and the Spirit said "why aren't you out there?" I knew what He meant, so on tuesday I hit campus with my pocket gospels and started sharing with people. I've learned to go from bus stop to bus stop and talk with the people waiting around, and by the time I get back to the first stop there's a new group of people. I've also learned that I have to share the whole gospel with each person or I'm not giving them a real opportunity to repent. I can't gloss over it and just hand them a gospel. I have to fully explain it to each one so the Spirit can convict their hearts.
I also listened to the Pineapple Story Series this week. Otto Koning is a missionary to New Guinea and these are some of his testimonies of God's work there. the lessons God taught him in the jungle have changed my heart. my favorite quote is "don't waste good problems". problems give God a chance to do impossible things, and if you don't give your problems to God you miss out on the miracles. such good lessons. I can see a big change in my prayer life...from praying a lot about myself, to asking for missionaries to be sent and churches built.
my prayer request is for more ability to support missionary families, and more of a heart for them.
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Kickin' Off Summer
church was great today.
I'm so excited about ministering to other students. I see so many who live with doubts and issues that could be so easily healed by God's word. it's gonna be awesome to watch the Holy Spirit birth the outreaches and discipleship. working with the kids is fun too. today we talked about having a fruits of the Spirit food fight. now that's ministry!
my job at Scripture Haven is going great. lots of good reading and fellowship with my coworkers. the Lord reminded me this week not to slack. I need to bless my employer and do those extra things to make the store run smoother.
my apartment is starting to be home. we've got a few pieces of furniture and some posters up. but we still have a long way to go. our neighbors were having a party the other night. at first I thought "eh, it's gonna be loud", but then I realized "that's good, we can bring 'em to Jesus". I look forward to however God will use us to reach the apartments around us.
my prayer requests are to be increasingly filled with the Spirit everyday, to soak up God's word like a sponge, and to fulfill the opportunities God's given me. thanks!
I'm so excited about ministering to other students. I see so many who live with doubts and issues that could be so easily healed by God's word. it's gonna be awesome to watch the Holy Spirit birth the outreaches and discipleship. working with the kids is fun too. today we talked about having a fruits of the Spirit food fight. now that's ministry!
my job at Scripture Haven is going great. lots of good reading and fellowship with my coworkers. the Lord reminded me this week not to slack. I need to bless my employer and do those extra things to make the store run smoother.
my apartment is starting to be home. we've got a few pieces of furniture and some posters up. but we still have a long way to go. our neighbors were having a party the other night. at first I thought "eh, it's gonna be loud", but then I realized "that's good, we can bring 'em to Jesus". I look forward to however God will use us to reach the apartments around us.
my prayer requests are to be increasingly filled with the Spirit everyday, to soak up God's word like a sponge, and to fulfill the opportunities God's given me. thanks!
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