Dec 22, 2010
Hello y’all
Some of you that have been keeping up with this blog from the beginning, might remember the story I told when I got back from Asia about the children in the river? About the urgency of “there is such a thing as too late”?
Well, while I was out support raising, I was a part of a homeless ministry with my church. I really felt like I was a part of that ministry, and I fell in love with the people in Philly that were lost, and knew they were lost, but didn’t want to accept it or accept the hope that Jesus provides.
One of my homeless buddies was named Black. He was about 54-55 years old. And he was determined to believe in the another faith, but was really curious about Christianity because he grew up in the church, but had turned away later on in his life. We talked to him every week and brought him to church almost every week as well. He really enjoyed it and felt like people were loving on him even though they didn’t know him very well. Which was awesome! He was experiencing Jesus’ love through us! He started talking about the possibility of coming to Christ, which made us all really happy. We were finally getting through to him! So we kept encouraging him and encouraging him, week after week. Answering all the questions he had, and loving on him.
Sometime last week, however, Black passed away. My mom just told me of this sad news. It was shocking. To think… I knew this guy, I loved this guy, and I was praying for him every day that he would somehow turn to Jesus as his Lord and Savior. And now he’s gone…
Just like that… he’s gone. One more lost soul plunged into eternity. I can only pray that before he died, he finally accepted the Lord. But really, I don’t know. No one does except the Lord.
Anyway, I’m writing this post as an encouragement to you all, and also as a request. Please pray for the rest of those homeless people, both in Philadelphia, and also in Asia. There are so many people that still have yet to hear! And there’s no telling when they might be gone, forever. We need to reach these people.
And it took one of my friends dying to remind me of that urgency we need to have to reach the lost world.
Some of you might be thinking that this is tragic news, but remember Romans 8:28. EVERYTHING works for the good. Black’s death will be used by God, and is being used to impact many lives. Praise God for that.
Thanks for reading, and I’m so thankful that God has put us in an position where we can reach the lost world each day.
Let’s not forget our callings.
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Dec 17, 2010
This time of year is a joyous time of remembering how God brought salvation to this earth. It is such a privilege we live in a country where we can know and hear about Jesus, Christmas, and salvation so freely. And that through a foundation of Christian beliefs grace and mercy are still rooted in our culture. But for 3 billion in the world that have never heard of Jesus and His grace, their gods and beliefs have made for a life and view completely different than ours. They worship gods and goddesses in hope of salvation, but even if the salvation offered was true, millions upon millions still live in despair of ever achieving it. Their beliefs are that not all people are equal, and many are deserving of treatment less than cows, dogs and rats. In their mind many are predestined to a wretched life with no hope for mercy or grace, deserving of a life of punishment.
In knowledge of the great hope and joy that comes to our fellow Asian believers, I am overjoyed that Gospel For Asia is supporting Asian Christian brothers and sisters. There is now hope for salvation, healing of families, healing of people physically and spiritually, and filling thousands with joy in finally knowing the most high God, a God of love, that offers love, grace, and mercy.
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Nov 29, 2010
True Rest
“11:28 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 11:29 Take my yoke on you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 11:30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and my load is not hard to carry.”
(NET)
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Nov 24, 2010
I am back in Texas, Praise the Lord! A lot has happened these past few months, and to sum it all up into one post will be tough, but I do believe it is possible. Hold on tight!
After graduating from the School of Discipleship in July 2010, I stayed in Texas for about a month and a half to help out in training someone else to take my place as Event Manager for the Central and Western regions of the USA; all the while living with a GFA staff family. Right after that, I was on a plane back to Pennsylvania, just in time for the beauty of Autumn on the East coast.
So began my journey in support raising to come back to Texas as staff at GFA. While I was there I didn’t feel like I fit there, because I knew I was called to serve at GFA, I felt like a fish out of water. I was asking God to please help me find some sort of ministry that I could fit into while away from GFA. Then, my mom started talking about a homeless ministry down in Philadelphia that some of the people from my church go to each Sunday. I had heard about this ministry before, but before I could start up with it, a lot of things happened in my life that stopped me from getting involved, and then I headed to GFA for a year. I prayed about it and felt tremendous peace about going, so I tagged along and was blessed tremendously.
Needless to say, God once again proved His faithfulness in providing me with a way to serve Him away from my home here at GFA. God sure is amazing isn’t He?!
Also, I got to help out for a little bit with the Youth Worship team for Youth Group, I love working with youth, so it was neat to see how the Youth Group I came from has grown, and to see the passion of the leaders as they live their lives as examples of godly men and women for the Youth. While I was there, I was given the opportunity to speak with the youth for about 45 minutes. I was planning on only taking up 30 mins max, but God laid so much on my heart to share with them that I just couldn’t stop talking! Which is so unlike me… therefore, I know it had to have been God speaking through me.
All throughout this entire time in PA, God continued to touch people’s hearts and they joined with me in reaching the lost in Asia through prayer and support. In faith, I was praying that God would have my support raised by the end of October so that I could drive down with Katie when she went back to Texas in November.
Slowly, the date was approaching, and I got the call saying that I could come back because I was at 95% of what I needed per month! Praise God! He answered that prayer, down to the exact day! So, one of my friends came, experienced an east coast Autumn for the first time, and we started our trek down to Texas.
It was a rather long drive, but I was so excited, I hardly noticed the long days that went into the trip. I was also sick with something that resembled Bronchitis, but the Lord gave me strength to push through each day. God is good! On our way down, about half way through our first day, my friend and I noticed that the engine light was on in my car. So, we pulled into the nearest gas station/ food place and made a few phone calls and continued on our way trusting the Lord to let us get to Texas safely. We got back and one of the guys checked out my car, and it was only a fluke! Praise God!
The day after we got back, I started my first day back in the GFA officially! Thanks for all that helped make getting me back possible! Praise God for the opportunity we have to make an eternal impact on the lost in Asia!
Wow, I’m surprised this all fit into one post! 😀
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Nov 23, 2010
I don’t have the time. These are words that I have lived by. I don’t have time to read my Bible, I don’t have time to get alone and pray, I don’t have time to read that biography. After all, I work and then I have to get home to facebook and calling my family. I have to take a nap, I have to take a shower, In have to do my laundry… The list goes on and on.
We live in a culture where we are taught that we can do what we want to do – and we live by that. Not that we want to follow the worlds example but we want to be comfortable within God’s commands. We don’t realize that God calls us to be just as radical as Jesus Christ was. Paul says to “follow me as I follow Christ”. This is a pretty huge deal. I don’t want to live like Paul! Man, that guy was shipwrecked, he was beaten, he barely escaped from so many murder plots. Oh, wait, yeah, I remember now… he was that guy that got beheaded. But… he knew Christ.
My point is that being a Christian means more than just going to church and praying when people are sick. Those are good things but they are definately not what defines us as Christians. “They were first called Christians at Antioch.” Little Christs is what the word Christian means. So, as a “little Christ” what must we do? We must follow His example. We must love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, and strength.
That means giving up our time to spend it with Him. Not because we must but because we want to love Him more. This King of the universe who came down as a man to redeem my soul… why wouldn’t I want to know Him more?
So look at my life and what do you see? Probably someone who’s time is spent in a lot of different ways. Some of it serving Christ, some of it wasted. What do I want to become? Someone who’s life is consumed with loving my King. You spend time on the things you value. When you say “I don’t have time”, you’re really saying that it’s not on the top of your priority list.
Let’s give Him our time… Let’s give Him our love!
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Nov 23, 2010
While I was out support raising, I was SO curious to find out what I would be doing when I got back to Gospel for Asia. Right up to when I applied for my apartment, I had no idea what I would be doing. However, I couldn’t have asked for a better place to be placed. God is good! I’m am working in the media department. I helped out there a little bit when I was in the School of Discipleship.
At the moment, I am learning how to use a Mac, work in After Effects and Final Cut Express. Other than using a Mac, I’d say I love my job! Although I will miss the Volunteer department , I am soooo excited to see how God uses me in this area of the ministry, and I get to do what I love each and every day!
I’m so blessed because this job is an opportunity I had been waiting and praying for for a long time, and now God’s placed me in the exact place I wanted to be!
GOD IS GOOD! AND GOD IS FAITHFUL TO PROVIDE!! 🙂
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