the gratitude campaign (full length)

Words from a childhood hero.

A Little Testimony.

Psalm 107:1-3~

Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever!
Let the redeemed of the LORD say so,
whom he has redeemed from trouble
and gathered in from the lands,
from the east and from the west,
from the north and from the south.

I think that testimony is an incredible encouragement to the greater community and body of Christ. To share with each other is an amazing way to fellowship and grow close to other believers. Not only this, but it reminds us of the good works that God is continually doing in our lives every day. This and we are able to make sure that the good works aren't forgotten, that God gets all the glory, and that we cannot boast in anything except in God.

Upon my return from training in February I decided that I was done "giving God a way out." I knew I felt called to the Chaplaincy and it had been confirmed in the presence of many who knew me, at many times. So, I decided that I would pray like I actually believed I was called, even though the mission still seems overwhelming at times....

I began to pray and commit in my life in such a way that I couldn't just dip out and go pursue something else. I took God at His word and said "if you've called me here Lord, bless it and make it yours." With this commitment I spent as much time as possible at the Church under some amazing Godly men, Dedicated myself to pursuing my masters and ordination with all of my efforts, and chose to finish all of my training this summer.

All of this left me without a steady income for the time, an inability to fully throw myself into committed ministry at the church until my return from training, and a whole lot of school work.

So my prayer has often been "God, I don't want to be a slacker, but I cant get a two month job, and I'm going to need money" "God I don't feel like reading anymore tonight" or "God, what is the point of the CCPO program?"

Well I'm here to tell you that God is good, and all the time! I just got my third, THIRD, unexpected paycheck from the Navy for misc expenses during my previous training. I had more money on my tax return than I expected. AND I have been really blessed by this set of classes this semester.

God is providing. And its a funny thing... the more I committed, the more time God created for me to do what I really want, and thats praise Him and give Him that glory. How amazing is it that when we go bare before the Lord, broken and tired, he smiles and says "Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

God is teaching and leading us all the time. Its the moments when we say "I CANT DO THIS! WHAT IS GOING ON!?!?" that He smiles and says "thats what I was waiting for..."

Let me be clear, I do NOT think that I did something that makes me deserving of an easy life, or that I deserve anything. I also don't want to convey that God is in the business of making much of individuals here on earth. But I do think that God has moved boldly and swiftly to confirm my call to the Navy and that He deserves all of the Glory for that. Life ain't perfect, but God is moving, thats for sure.

Francis Thompson wrote an amazing poem that I think is applicable... "The Hound of Heaven"

Praise God!

Round Two...

I had to do it

At least theyre not weight lifting......

This is unreal... the prisoners of Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center, Cebu, Philippines not only did this dance, but also an amazing version of Thriller, Black Eyed Peas, Queen, The Hustle. Check it out, Highly entertaining!

Sad day in the Premiership...

Arsenal fell today 2-1 to Manchester United in usual fashion, knocking themselves out of any possible hope of winning the Premiership. Dominating almost the entire game, they had the Lion's share of possession time yet finding themselves unable to score they played on to the loss.

This has been par for the course the entire year. Outplaying almost every team in every game this year Arsene Wenger and his team could never find the back of the net often enough, or in time. Now they finish the Premier season 6 points behind and without hope....

What to do...

Psalm 25

Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long. Psalm 25:4-5

I have been taking a class on Genesis, as well as reading through Deuteronomy. Its really interesting to think about how the nation of Israel came out of a very real time and place. They wrote very much with the exile in mind. Much of the Old Testament and Jewish focus at the time was trying to explain how if there really was only one God, why they would be going through what they were going through at the time.

At the time there was still a lot of confusion through Judaism. Other gods were being worshiped and there was a hope of a future king that would lead them home. This is still the hope of Jewish people today. It is interesting to think that for a time there wasn't a whole lot of things that necessarily set the Jewish nation distinctly apart. In a time when "My god is better than your god" was the game, Israel was playing a losing battle...

But what set all the questions straight? God came to earth. Christ is the answer to all the doubts and questions. If you wonder if it all seems a little too man made... or if God really did have His hand in all of history. Well Christ came to show that the Law is true and God really is the true God. How amazing that we can put all of our doubts and unbelief on the cross and God will answer them?

He cared enough to come to Earth and clear up the confusion, He cares enough to answer all of our personal doubts as well. so...

...for you I wait all the day long...

Praise God!

Part 3 (Finally!)

"Our cultural and theological differences and misunderstandings cannot undermine the work we are charged with as brothers and sisters in Christ, for the good of the name of Christ and the Kingdom of God"

OK blog fans, todays the day! We are going to finally wrap this whole thing up today...
My previous statement was a bottom up statement. We shouldnt be different in our pursuit of the Gospel because it is bigger than us and something we should all strive for. Well, this statement is a top down statement.

I will say the statement another way... Because the Gospel is so good, and so worthy, it unites us so that we dont have to work on our differences; they go away when our focus is on the Gospel and that work of uniting is done for us. (I like positive statements much more than negative ones anyways!)

To you I lift up my eyes, O you who are enthroned in the heavens! Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master,as the eyes of a maidservant to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the LORD our God, till he has mercy upon us. ~Psalm 123:1-2

Just as when Peter was focused on Jesus he was able to walk on water, even amidst the waves, so it is with us. When we look to the Lord we are looking at truth and light. Ive said before that His reality is more real than our own. We are confused and live in the midst of sin here on this side of the return of Christ. When we look to the Lord he has mercy on us, and we are filled with grace. This makes the untruths and lies of our own world pale in comparison to that light.

Notice in Psalm 123 it says we look TILL the Lord has mercy.... not if. It is a promise. God will give us mercy and peace and things that are bigger than the world when we look and wait on the Lord.

This is what we must strive for and preach to each other.
DISCLAIMER- to wait on the Lord does not mean to sit and spin your wheels. No no, the greek is closer to "waiting" on the Lord, that is, serving him as if we had a towel over our arm, our best bow tie on. My mom always told me, its easier to steer a moving ship, and that is the truth. We have to be pursing truth and the word, this is the desire of our hearts. Only then will we find, only then will the door be opened.

So go out! Run after the Lord, learn more, read more, talk more, love more, drink starbucks.... (just kidding about that last one... kinda...). The gospel is free and is there for salvtion! Will it make all of your problems go away? No, but it will make them "light and momentary" thats a promise. But even better, youll get to participate in giving God glory, which is what you were made for anyways, and you will find Joy and fulfillment in that.

And with all that goodness, who has time for racism or insult? Thats all Im trying to say!

Praise God!