Oh the joys of fundraising. If any of you have ever had to do fundraising for an event, you know what I'm talking about. It's a unique situation, one I can't even begin to describe to you. It's definitely one of the most difficult things I've ever had to do in my life. But there are great lessons to be learned from having to go through it.
The biggest lesson is learning to trust in God. I like being self-sufficient and taking care of things on my own, but apparently God has placed me in a position where I cannot provide for myself. I feel helpless and weak, but I'm learning that's where God wants me. He wants me in that place where I am relying completely on Him for all my needs, and fundraising gives you a great opportunity to do just that. I wish it didn't take such a situation in order for me to rely on Him, but that is what it has taken.
Pray for me. Pray for my funding, that God would be faithful to provide, and it would come in on time. And most importantly, pray for my faith. Pray that it would survive this testing, and prove to be a genuine, God-honoring faith.
25 February 2009
07 February 2009
Austin Mission Trip: Day 2
Today brought a morning of rest, some great devotional time, and then we were off to Zilker park for some fun and fellowship with strangers. After last night, I was really focusing on having some conversations--on just getting myself out there and letting God provide the rest.
And the great success of today is that I did have some conversations while we were in Zilker park. Talked with Danielle who is a believer, and whose friend was a baby ruth last year at the woods (her name is allison) and was hired for summer staff but cant do it because her parents told her she had to get an internship--and allison is thinking of doing the forge next year. So hopefully we'll get to talk to her at church tomorrow night, but it was great to see how God lead us into that conversation.
Another lady I talked to was named Bekah. We met bekah in line for the girls bathroom (I wasnt waiting for the women's restroom, mind you, I just met up when I came out of the guys). She is a non-believer, and was reading the books "meditation" and "happiness" so she is obviously searching for something. But she wasn't open to talking about the gospel--she said that everyone has their own beliefs that work for them. And then she proceeded to head out pretty quick.
One of the guys I talked to was just a weird situation. He was just kind of sitting off by himself, watching children play play. I went over to talk to him (at the insistence of B-rit), and proceeded to try and talk to him. But his answers were really short, and there just seemed something fishy about him. Finally, after I asked him if where he was from (he had already told me he was not from Austin), he said, "A long way from here," and then got up and just walked away. So again, no gospel presentation--but the more I think about it, the more I am glad I talked to that guy. Even though I shouldn't judge a book by its cover, this guy gave me the heebs, and I was just glad that he went away from where all the kids were playing. Not saying anything was going to happen, but you never know.
As I look back on today, I am happy yet still unsatisfied. It is good that I got out and started to engage strangers in conversation. Getting over that hump was a huge success, and one I know I can now relive on a regular basis. But I am eager to get over the next hump--sharing the gospel with a stranger. Hopefully the next few days will provide me that chance. Tomorrow morning we are going to church under the bridge, which is a church service performed for the homeless under the overpass of a bridge. I hear it's awesome. We are planning on just going and chatting it up with whomever we meet. Continue to pray for us. We've had two good days of witnessing, and we want it to continue. We want to see God do some great work through us before we leave Austin.
"May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you always."
And the great success of today is that I did have some conversations while we were in Zilker park. Talked with Danielle who is a believer, and whose friend was a baby ruth last year at the woods (her name is allison) and was hired for summer staff but cant do it because her parents told her she had to get an internship--and allison is thinking of doing the forge next year. So hopefully we'll get to talk to her at church tomorrow night, but it was great to see how God lead us into that conversation.
Another lady I talked to was named Bekah. We met bekah in line for the girls bathroom (I wasnt waiting for the women's restroom, mind you, I just met up when I came out of the guys). She is a non-believer, and was reading the books "meditation" and "happiness" so she is obviously searching for something. But she wasn't open to talking about the gospel--she said that everyone has their own beliefs that work for them. And then she proceeded to head out pretty quick.
One of the guys I talked to was just a weird situation. He was just kind of sitting off by himself, watching children play play. I went over to talk to him (at the insistence of B-rit), and proceeded to try and talk to him. But his answers were really short, and there just seemed something fishy about him. Finally, after I asked him if where he was from (he had already told me he was not from Austin), he said, "A long way from here," and then got up and just walked away. So again, no gospel presentation--but the more I think about it, the more I am glad I talked to that guy. Even though I shouldn't judge a book by its cover, this guy gave me the heebs, and I was just glad that he went away from where all the kids were playing. Not saying anything was going to happen, but you never know.
As I look back on today, I am happy yet still unsatisfied. It is good that I got out and started to engage strangers in conversation. Getting over that hump was a huge success, and one I know I can now relive on a regular basis. But I am eager to get over the next hump--sharing the gospel with a stranger. Hopefully the next few days will provide me that chance. Tomorrow morning we are going to church under the bridge, which is a church service performed for the homeless under the overpass of a bridge. I hear it's awesome. We are planning on just going and chatting it up with whomever we meet. Continue to pray for us. We've had two good days of witnessing, and we want it to continue. We want to see God do some great work through us before we leave Austin.
"May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you always."
Austin Mission Trip: Day 1
(This blog was actually written yesterday, Friday the 6th of February.)
As the day winds to a close here in Austin (actually, I guess it's just getting started, seeing as its 1:15 a.m.), I figured I would write and give an update on how things are going.
Day one was great. We had some evangelism training this morning, which was good. I got some really good stuff from that. Then in the afternoon I had the chance to relax and actually take a nap. But the big event didn't come until later tonite, when we hosted an FCA Fifth Quarter. Let me tell you, details were all over the place tonite , and schedules were constantly being changed, but we got the event done. And in true God fashion, it was a smashing success. There was an awesome turnout (maybe around 75 people) and the kids were asking Candice (the sponsor for FCA) when the next one was. To be able to give that ministry such a shot in the arm for future events they may do was awesome. And just to be able to interact with the kids and talk to them and support them where they are was great.
But i wasn't happy with my own "performance" tonite. Starting conversations with strangers is perhaps difficulty #1 in my life, and I let myself off the hook tonite. I threw the football with some guys at various times, and juggled the soccer ball with some others, but I just wasn't intentional with my conversations--which is to say that I really didn't start any conversations. As we were driving back to the house after it was over, I was really bummed out about it. But luckily, tomorrow will provide a chance to get back on the horse so to speak--another laid-back atmosphere in which I can have some intentional conversation while engaging in some sports. So if you get the chance, pray for the group--pray that God will continue to work through us here in Austin. We really want to see God do some great things this week, and are praying that he would answer that prayer.
As the day winds to a close here in Austin (actually, I guess it's just getting started, seeing as its 1:15 a.m.), I figured I would write and give an update on how things are going.
Day one was great. We had some evangelism training this morning, which was good. I got some really good stuff from that. Then in the afternoon I had the chance to relax and actually take a nap. But the big event didn't come until later tonite, when we hosted an FCA Fifth Quarter. Let me tell you, details were all over the place tonite , and schedules were constantly being changed, but we got the event done. And in true God fashion, it was a smashing success. There was an awesome turnout (maybe around 75 people) and the kids were asking Candice (the sponsor for FCA) when the next one was. To be able to give that ministry such a shot in the arm for future events they may do was awesome. And just to be able to interact with the kids and talk to them and support them where they are was great.
But i wasn't happy with my own "performance" tonite. Starting conversations with strangers is perhaps difficulty #1 in my life, and I let myself off the hook tonite. I threw the football with some guys at various times, and juggled the soccer ball with some others, but I just wasn't intentional with my conversations--which is to say that I really didn't start any conversations. As we were driving back to the house after it was over, I was really bummed out about it. But luckily, tomorrow will provide a chance to get back on the horse so to speak--another laid-back atmosphere in which I can have some intentional conversation while engaging in some sports. So if you get the chance, pray for the group--pray that God will continue to work through us here in Austin. We really want to see God do some great things this week, and are praying that he would answer that prayer.
10 November 2008
How do you like the Forge?
People have been asking me in recent weeks what I think of the Forge. They want to know what it's like and how I feel about my decision to come. As to the first question, I can't really give an answer. It's a situation I've never really been in before, something I can't fully describe to someone who hasn't done something like it. It's difficult, fun, stretching, encouraging, heavy, and uplifting all at the same time. There are difficulties, but they are ones that serve to empower and discipline me in my walk with the Lord, who has graciously given me the ability to see these difficulties in light of how He can use them.
And as for the second question, there has never been a time when I have regretted my decision to come. I have never wished I was anywhere else, except I could stand a few days to go visit some of the folks back home who I miss. The time seems like it is flying by, and I never think I've been here as long as I have. I can't believe I've only got 6 more months to be here, 6 more months until the Forge is done and I have to go back into the "real" world and be a light there. But I'm confident that when that time comes, the Lord will have shown me where I am to be next, and He will have prepared my heart and body to be a light right where I am.
And as for the second question, there has never been a time when I have regretted my decision to come. I have never wished I was anywhere else, except I could stand a few days to go visit some of the folks back home who I miss. The time seems like it is flying by, and I never think I've been here as long as I have. I can't believe I've only got 6 more months to be here, 6 more months until the Forge is done and I have to go back into the "real" world and be a light there. But I'm confident that when that time comes, the Lord will have shown me where I am to be next, and He will have prepared my heart and body to be a light right where I am.
21 October 2008
Forge Update
It's been a few weeks since the last update.
Life at the Forge is settling into a routine, which is really not too predictable at all. Our schedule is somewhat set, but at the drop of a hat we can be told to pack our bags and be ready to go somewhere (and its always an unknown destination at that). It's great, though, to have the variety, the spontaneity--plus all the trips are baller-awesome (thats right Jimbo, I said it).
On top of all that, the lessons are starting to get really good and powerful. The classes are really starting to take off, and we are starting into the nitty-gritty of what it means to live in community, how/why we have faith (both in God and in general), and perhaps most powerfully, in learning about our identity (how it is built, and how it should be built). That class specifically is really opening my eyes to what is going on with my thoughts and perceptions about the world, and me in it.
Then there are the lessons learned outside the classroom, which may be the most powerful. Since we have been here, we have been in the process of writing a covenant which will help serve us and sanctify our time here as much as possible. It's taken 6-weeks, lots of meetings, a few moments of hurt feelings, and some awesome worship, but we finally have it. It has been interesting to see how we have been transformed simply by the process of making this covenant. We have been learning what it means to die to the self, to put others before yourself and your own "rights," how not to be a stumbling block to others of the faith, and what it means to live in a community. We have seen with our own eyes what it is to be in a relationship, to be fully invested in that relationship. We have learned that in order to have a successful relationship or community, you have to think of others before yourself. It's not about me or my rights or my preferences; it's about doing what is best for the community, about doing what will best serve and glorify God in that community/relationship (since that is what it exists for in the first place). For us, for this family of the Forge, sacrifice is no longer just a word on a page. Love is not merely a word we throw around without understanding the significance and the implications of its usage. We are learning more and more what love entails, the sacrifice (which can sometimes be extremely difficult) that is so often required for love to survive, the forgiveness that is absolutely necessary to live in close fellowship with other human beings. And all these lessons came in the first six weeks. I can't even begin to imagine where God will take me in the coming months, but know that this program and this place is a blessing which I can't even begin to describe.
I do miss everyone back home, and think of them often. I especially miss three little girls back in Georgia, who by the day are becoming less and less little, but ever dearer to my heart. If you see them, give them a hug for me--and tell them that Chris misses them a lot, and will be coming to see them as soon as he is able.
"May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all."
Life at the Forge is settling into a routine, which is really not too predictable at all. Our schedule is somewhat set, but at the drop of a hat we can be told to pack our bags and be ready to go somewhere (and its always an unknown destination at that). It's great, though, to have the variety, the spontaneity--plus all the trips are baller-awesome (thats right Jimbo, I said it).
On top of all that, the lessons are starting to get really good and powerful. The classes are really starting to take off, and we are starting into the nitty-gritty of what it means to live in community, how/why we have faith (both in God and in general), and perhaps most powerfully, in learning about our identity (how it is built, and how it should be built). That class specifically is really opening my eyes to what is going on with my thoughts and perceptions about the world, and me in it.
Then there are the lessons learned outside the classroom, which may be the most powerful. Since we have been here, we have been in the process of writing a covenant which will help serve us and sanctify our time here as much as possible. It's taken 6-weeks, lots of meetings, a few moments of hurt feelings, and some awesome worship, but we finally have it. It has been interesting to see how we have been transformed simply by the process of making this covenant. We have been learning what it means to die to the self, to put others before yourself and your own "rights," how not to be a stumbling block to others of the faith, and what it means to live in a community. We have seen with our own eyes what it is to be in a relationship, to be fully invested in that relationship. We have learned that in order to have a successful relationship or community, you have to think of others before yourself. It's not about me or my rights or my preferences; it's about doing what is best for the community, about doing what will best serve and glorify God in that community/relationship (since that is what it exists for in the first place). For us, for this family of the Forge, sacrifice is no longer just a word on a page. Love is not merely a word we throw around without understanding the significance and the implications of its usage. We are learning more and more what love entails, the sacrifice (which can sometimes be extremely difficult) that is so often required for love to survive, the forgiveness that is absolutely necessary to live in close fellowship with other human beings. And all these lessons came in the first six weeks. I can't even begin to imagine where God will take me in the coming months, but know that this program and this place is a blessing which I can't even begin to describe.
I do miss everyone back home, and think of them often. I especially miss three little girls back in Georgia, who by the day are becoming less and less little, but ever dearer to my heart. If you see them, give them a hug for me--and tell them that Chris misses them a lot, and will be coming to see them as soon as he is able.
"May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all."
23 September 2008
Foundation Statement
We've been given an interesting assignment this week for one of the classes: develop a statement which serves as our foundational statement. This is the sentence that would be written on the foundation of our life were it possible to do so. It is the statement that best describes upon what our entire identity is based, around what all our actions revolve--basically it is the motivation behind all that we do.
The next few days will be eye-opening, for sure, as I go about examining my life and developing this sentence. I know what I would like for the sentence to be, but I'm not sure if it fits just yet. I have been thinking about this the past week or so, so I have identified a sentence into which I hope to conform and develop my identity. It is the one to which I try to run every day, and by which I am trying to be guided.
Interestingly enough, this sentence has characterized the path of my life in recent years. The only reason I hesitate to call it my foundational statement just yet is my intentions in those times. Yes it has characterized many of the actions, but has it characterized my intentions, my heart behind those actions? Now that I have identified the statement through God's illumination, I am attempting to let the Spirit conform my identity to it. But I cannot say as yet how far the developing process has come. I know in the next few days much prayer, discussion and examination will shed some light on the subject. "May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all."
"Indeed I count everything as loss for the surpassing greatness of knowing Jesus Christ my Lord . . . and count them but rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ" --Philippians 3:8
The next few days will be eye-opening, for sure, as I go about examining my life and developing this sentence. I know what I would like for the sentence to be, but I'm not sure if it fits just yet. I have been thinking about this the past week or so, so I have identified a sentence into which I hope to conform and develop my identity. It is the one to which I try to run every day, and by which I am trying to be guided.
Interestingly enough, this sentence has characterized the path of my life in recent years. The only reason I hesitate to call it my foundational statement just yet is my intentions in those times. Yes it has characterized many of the actions, but has it characterized my intentions, my heart behind those actions? Now that I have identified the statement through God's illumination, I am attempting to let the Spirit conform my identity to it. But I cannot say as yet how far the developing process has come. I know in the next few days much prayer, discussion and examination will shed some light on the subject. "May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all."
"Indeed I count everything as loss for the surpassing greatness of knowing Jesus Christ my Lord . . . and count them but rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ" --Philippians 3:8
20 September 2008
Forge #5
"Who am I to lead these people?"
Lord you know how many times this question has run through my head. I’ve been wondering that since the day you called me, and I feel even less qualified now than ever. In the midst of these men of God I feel myself the least of them all.
I don’t know when or where it happened, but somewhere along the way I lost my faith in myself. I see almost fully the measure of my faults, and throw myself down in your presence in hopes you will build me p right. I have no talent or skill to offer you, no Isaac to sacrifice, except my life. My life, my energy, my breath are the only things I have to offer you. If any good for the kingdom results from my life it will be by, and because of, your hand. In our group discussion it occurred to me that I consider myself failing in so many areas, as a failure in general. The voice inside my head keeps telling me I’m a failure because of this and that, for so many reasons. I’m tired of feeling like a failure, of feeling not qualified enough, not able enough in anything I do. I know it hinders me, and I don’t want anything to hinder my service of you. Sometimes I shy away from my brothers from feelings of worthlessness, I don’t want to shy away from brotherhood, from godly men because a false sense of humility, from feeling down on myself in an unhealthy, ungodly way. I desire you and a right perspective of myself grounded in Christ.
In the midst of you and your servants here I feel so small. So many of my concerns though are focused on me and how I can’t see myself ever bringing you great glory. I focus on how I can’t write, sing or speak like this man Chewy sitting next to me, and I feel so little and worthless. But this isn’t a true kind of humility. This humility comes from my heart’s desire to be great and renowned. Teach me to be truly humble, in the way that Christ was. Show me how I can bring you glory with my life. Teach me to live for my audience of one. Help me to separate the selfish ambitions and desires of my heart from those put there by you. Fill this hole in my heart, this emptiness I try to satisfy in other ways. Teach me to love as Christ loved, to be a true servant of him and my fellow men.
“Indeed I count everything as loss for the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” --Philippians 3:8a
Lord you know how many times this question has run through my head. I’ve been wondering that since the day you called me, and I feel even less qualified now than ever. In the midst of these men of God I feel myself the least of them all.
I don’t know when or where it happened, but somewhere along the way I lost my faith in myself. I see almost fully the measure of my faults, and throw myself down in your presence in hopes you will build me p right. I have no talent or skill to offer you, no Isaac to sacrifice, except my life. My life, my energy, my breath are the only things I have to offer you. If any good for the kingdom results from my life it will be by, and because of, your hand. In our group discussion it occurred to me that I consider myself failing in so many areas, as a failure in general. The voice inside my head keeps telling me I’m a failure because of this and that, for so many reasons. I’m tired of feeling like a failure, of feeling not qualified enough, not able enough in anything I do. I know it hinders me, and I don’t want anything to hinder my service of you. Sometimes I shy away from my brothers from feelings of worthlessness, I don’t want to shy away from brotherhood, from godly men because a false sense of humility, from feeling down on myself in an unhealthy, ungodly way. I desire you and a right perspective of myself grounded in Christ.
In the midst of you and your servants here I feel so small. So many of my concerns though are focused on me and how I can’t see myself ever bringing you great glory. I focus on how I can’t write, sing or speak like this man Chewy sitting next to me, and I feel so little and worthless. But this isn’t a true kind of humility. This humility comes from my heart’s desire to be great and renowned. Teach me to be truly humble, in the way that Christ was. Show me how I can bring you glory with my life. Teach me to live for my audience of one. Help me to separate the selfish ambitions and desires of my heart from those put there by you. Fill this hole in my heart, this emptiness I try to satisfy in other ways. Teach me to love as Christ loved, to be a true servant of him and my fellow men.
“Indeed I count everything as loss for the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” --Philippians 3:8a
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