Rough-Hewn Servant

The hardest person to be honest to....

2010-11-16T23:42:00.000-08:00

is yourself.

Helping Out A Friend

2010-04-22T18:02:00.000-07:00

My friend is heading to the Czech Republic this summer and he needs some help raising the money to go. Clicking on the link will take you to his site where you can read up on all the details.

Czech Republic: "

Downtown ASU

2010-03-10T12:59:00.001-08:00

Being at ASU for psych lab intro and half asleep looking at their sources of light I am inclined to ask 'how does this make you feel?'

Its All In The Details

2010-03-06T11:40:00.000-08:00

One of the quirks that I have is the uncanny ability to notice the small details in the environment that I live (strictly city) to give me insight into my plans. For example, when I go to coffee shops (there are only 3 I go to on a regular basis), I do a quick scan of the parking lot looking for my friends autos to see if they might possibly be inside. Call me weird but it happens instinctively for me.

Another small detail I notice on a regular basis in regards to automobiles is that of the origins of peoples' license plates. Doesn't matter if I'm driving to school or am sitting as a passenger in a friends' car, I will always take note of where people have come from. For me, such references to distant locations stir up thoughts ranging from impersonal ones (wanting to travel there or thinking "that's a nice place") to very personal ones (to be brutally honest, of places or times or people that I do not want to come to mind). With a heavy heart I wish this wasn't so because it becomes all to easy to resent memories associated with said reminders. It is not my intentions to think both highly or negatively about the reflections brought about by subtle reminders in the details, but to look back with an eye of gratitude. Such recollections in reality with my thoughts removed are truly joyful moments of life lived with certain people in certain places at certain times. Unfortunately, I have issues removing my thoughts and emotions from past events. Oh that I would see the beauty of recollections and reflections on past memories, and value the lessons learned.

If there was one thing I wish I could be better at, it would be to notice the subtle and small details that abound within social interactions so as to better attend to peoples' needs.

Hope Deferred

2010-01-14T23:37:00.000-08:00

This week marks the school semester's eve. As befitting of such a week, I went and saw James Cameron's Avatar movie in 3D at IMAX in the spirit of freedom that this week holds. What a film it was! One of the best movies I have seen in a long while. However, the focus of this post is not on the movie directly but rather on the thoughts and feelings of people after seeing such an epic film. I recently read an article delving into people's reactions after seeing the film and what was found was that a decent number of people were experiencing depression brought on by the portrayal of an alien utopia undefiled by its inhabitants. Apparently, many people walked away from Avatar longing for that utopia to exist rather than face work the next day or deal with another family crisis. Is it really the undefiled, mysterious environment that people longed for or something else? Perhaps the draw existed in the simplistic nature of the Na'vi people or Pandora... Or perhaps fans longed to be the hero or part of the winning team in the movie... What wrong did Cameron do in making this film? Nothing as far as I can see because as a film, the director strives to draw people into the film and make it feel as though the viewer is actually a part of the movie in some sense, and Avatar does just that. But at the end of it all, stuck when the movie ends, people find themselves struggling to give purpose to what they saw because on some level it connected with them. It gave them hope for something...but what?

Hope deferred from the gospel of Christ causes the heart to be anxious. Purpose is assigned elsewhere and thereby divorced of hope. Purpose and hope in the gospel must be found together or else a crisis is at hand.

Brothers together in Christ

2009-12-09T08:36:00.001-08:00

Brothers together in Christ

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A Semester Full

2009-11-21T13:57:00.001-08:00

2 weeks from today I will be officially done with my first semester of upper division nursing at Arizona State University. This means that I will only have 3 more semesters to complete to graduate. However, this has not come without a cost. While time has always been at a premium for me, it has never been valued as much as it has been this semester. The pattern is to fight for time, whether that is by making downtime more effective/efficient or by eliminating extraneous events from my life to the point that life is more manageable. Certainly there are things that I wish could have been different but of what use is it now to hope on what has already been....a waste of time. However, it was hard to justify spending time on things outside of classes, work, and most importantly the dynamic relationship I have with God.

With that said, I am sorry that I have not written at all on this blog but I hope to change that for future semester. Speaking of the future, there are a few things that I'm excited for beyond the brick and mortar walls of the university...

1. Urbana 2009
Being only 1.5 years out from graduation, the only thing I know of for sure is that I don't want to simply remain on U.S. soil for the rest of my life. The purpose of attending this conference is to explore further my passion for wanting to provide something to those less fortunate all due to their location on this blue/brown sphere. ...also, it wouldn't be such a bad thing for me to get out of town and refocus life. I'm hoping that I'll be able to steal a close friend away from his wife so us guys can talk one-on-one.

2. Mercy Ships
Stemming from #1, I have been intrigued by this organization and at this point I would love to pursue working with them in the near future at some point. Currently the ship is docked off the coast of Benin. What they do is provide medical treatments as well as health education to the poorest of the poor where ever they go in the world. I hope that after gaining experience for a few years in a hospital it will work out to join with Mercy Ships for a year. Much of my interest has been sparked by Ali's blog (a nurse on the Africa Mercy).

3. VI - Monday Night Living Room
God has been moving in the members of this group and has been challenging different people to grow in different ways. I'm excited to be a part of it and I eagerly look forward to continuing with this group into the next semester. What is difficult for me, and bothers me, is that it is extremely hard with my schedule to invest time into all the guys I want to spend time with and challenge. Any time I get with the guys in the group I just savor (more so than the coffee of the coffee shop we are in).

Goodbye CZ & PL....for now

2009-08-14T11:22:00.000-07:00

A few days since the airplane landed at Sky Harbor and most of the effects of jet lag have worn off. However, the memories garnered have not been so easily wiped away. The same could be said for the memories from summer '06 and summer '08 too. What we experience in person leaves a lasting impression upon us that goes deeper than superficial to affect the core of who we are. In such a way, who I am has been changed by what I have gone through in these outreaches to the Czech Republic and Poland.

In coming back from this summer, I could not shake the feeling that the time spent this summer in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Poland would be the last time for many years. In many ways, the past 3 weeks were more like an extended goodbye than anything else.

Goodbye Poland Team. All of us will part ways at some point.

Goodbye Poland. I only knew you for 8 amazing days.

Goodbye Slovakia. You were a great end to 2008.

Goodbye České Budějovice. You were the town that started it all in 2006.

Goodbye Strakonice. You were my home away from home in 2008.

Goodbye Czech Republic. You will always be in my heart.

I have met many people over the years in many towns across the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Poland who have been an integral part of the changes that occurred in myself. Of those people who have affected me, I hope to remain in close contact with some of them in the coming years....even if I am unable to visit in person. For those who call their home the Czech Republic, Slovakia, or Poland, you will always have a friend in Arizona. Stay in touch my dear friends!

Goodbye....for now

Go Read The Poland Blog

2009-08-05T09:33:00.000-07:00

http://poland09.posterous.com/

The Work Starts Soon

2009-08-02T21:44:00.000-07:00

The Poland team has made it safely to the H2O project work site and have settled in. The only small thing to worry about is a ton of mosquitoes and as well as a lot of spiders. In fact, I have a spider that makes a web across the door frame of my cabin each night so I need to remember to duck upon leaving or entering. In a few short hours the work will begin and our tasks will be defined. I will put up another post tonight or tomorrow describing our work better (need to wait to actually experience it before I write about it). Also, we are working alongside two teams, one from Belfast, Ireland and the other a team of Polish youth from a nearby city. This week is going to be good. We have a lot of work to get done, but I know this team is up for the challenge.

Goodbye Again Strakonice and České Budějovice

2009-07-31T05:14:00.000-07:00

It is the 31st of July and I am back in Prague. Yesterday was so bittersweet. Today is even worse as I have time to think about yesterday. Spending time in Strakonice and České Budějovice was so good. I look to the horizon in hopes of seeing my self back here but all that is ahead is haze and what dim shapes of the landscape that pokes through does not seem familiar.

While I was here though I tried to make the most of it. From cooking a true Mexican style dish to going to concerts (punk rock at one, folk music at another), I would say the time I spent with friends from past English camps was well spent. Even went to Obi once (Czech version of Home Depot, orange color included) to get some last minute supplies for the work I'll be doing in Poland in the coming days. Also spent a couple of hours one night at a tea house which had seating on the rook akin to a Japanese garden (or at least that was what I think they were going for). The sweetest times however, came from the small hang outs at cafes or the long walks back to the flat. If only it were easy to hold on to such moments and make them last.

I hope to return sometime in the future and I'm sure I will, but the question is "When?"....

A Couple More Days

2009-07-26T02:55:00.000-07:00

I have seem some of what good this visit to Strakonice has brought but if there is more, then I suspect that I will never know to what extent it has meant to the few people I have interacted with. If anything, I would hope that my time in the Czech Republic this summer is more valuable to others than it is for me. At this moment I have a few slim hours to rest and relax, alone with my thoughts....which is something I have been craving, not feeling as though I have to be doing something with someone. It is moments like these that I treasure.

In a few short hours I will take a train to Ceske Budejovice (from Pisek) and spend time with a few more friends from two different summers. This I will treasure too, just in a different way. I feel as though my time in the Czech Republic is coming to a close, not in reference to this week, but in reference to the coming years. So the time I spend with those students from camp who I have grown close to means a lot to me.

Poland Team Blog

2009-07-25T02:09:00.001-07:00

So I just found out a few days ago that the poland team had a blog. The web address is http://poland09.posterous.com. Keep tabs on that site in addition to here!

Back Again

2009-07-21T11:56:00.000-07:00

Its interesting. Walking...actually more so flying home last summer, I was expecting to be unable to come back to the Czech Republic this summer. Yet here I am. This time around I am not doing an English camp or an internship with Josiah Venture in CZ, but rather a work project in Poland starting a week and a half from now. However, that does not define what I am currently doing in CZ. Much of the time I have been asking myself why I am here. The surface answer is that I wanted to hang out with people I know here from camps and visit. Maybe encourage them in someway. The deeper answer is still unknown. What does God want me here for? I am sure there must be some reason. Deep in side, I feel a part of myself saying that this will be the last time for a long time.

I do not know what to make of that...

....only God in His timing will tell.

Romans 1:20

2009-07-05T01:57:00.000-07:00

For His invisible attributes, namely, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

Foreign Homeland

2009-06-26T09:44:00.000-07:00

I feel at times that I am merely a foreigner in my home country. I dare to be different and thus am viewed as such. Being a college student actively seeking God and serving Him, I find that I do not have the time to watch TV or play video games for hours on end. It is possible that I could rearrange other priorities in my life to make room for the aforementioned entertainment but of what value would such an effort be to me? Christians need to move beyond the shallowness of the mire of entertainment and dive into deep and close relationships with those around us. Don't become complacent with the American dream of less work and more pay but instead go for the opposite. Work harder at your interactions with people, invest time into them. Do not take your relationships for granted. I know that in large, this is a "me" centered society in which we are conditioned through media, peers, and even our own flesh to seek after the things that bring the most benefit back ourselves while minimizing what those around us get. The intent of the flesh throughout the span of the creation has remained constant since the fall of humanity. Only by God's grace are we able to be freed from sin's bondage.

Let us make the most of the time that God has given us rather than wasting it on empty pursuits. We will never again live this day over.

The Friday Exposure: In Light Of Things To Come

2009-05-22T21:57:00.001-07:00

This coming summer holds within its grasp many things to be treasured and remembered. On July 20 I will be leaving again for the Czech Republic, but this time I will also be going to Poland to work on the H2O project with a team from Grace Community Church. I am excited for this and look forward to the time I will get to spend with new college freshmen during that week of renovation work! Looking forward to next fall I am seeking to be more involved in the college group at church and may focus on the incoming freshmen for the next year!

However my heart still yearns to know about the unknowns of the next 2 years and the subsequent year following graduation. I really want to know the unknown but I must be content in God, which is one of the hardest things for me as I like to know what is going on around me. I need to have faith in God with where He is leading me as I know that He has a plan for my life. I need to trust Him in all that He does in my life.

.....this is so hard and I alone cannot not accomplish such a feat under my own power. God, you are my strength and my breath!

Suffering and Life

2009-05-03T17:17:00.000-07:00

One thing that has been on my mind these past few months is that of the subject of suffering. This is not random by any means as these past few months have been quite difficult for me (in my eyes). I plan to make a post about what God has been teaching me but until I do that, I wanted to place a link to a sermon given by Mark Driscoll on suffering and how we are to live our lives during the midst of it. Enjoy!
Suffering to Serve

The Friday Exposure: Broken

2009-04-10T23:01:00.000-07:00

These past 4 weeks have found me in a state that no one ever wishes to be in: completely broken. Life is supposed to be filled with happiness and fun all while living in bold confidence of the path ahead of one's self, not with realizations that we are insignificant and that we live in total dependence upon God. I think not. I would argue that brokenness is needed, not just every now and then when we have done something wrong or feel guilty or convicted of something, but always. We need to be living with that realization in mind.

But like I was saying, we don't naturally like to be found in such a state, especially by those who know us well because we have an "image" to uphold. I am so guilty of this. So many times I have sought to keep my reputation intact by not being completely honest with those that are close to me and that has been a hindrance to my faith during my years in high school and carried over a bit into my college years. Over the course of my first few years of college, I began to open up to key people in my life, whose friendship I still cherish to this day. However, it was not until this past summer and up until now that I really began to get a grasp of this area of my faith in Christ. Still, I'm not perfect (I will never proclaim to be) and I am continuing to strive to grow in this area of openness. I have much to learn!

What I can say though is the freeing nature that exists in being transparent with your life is something to seek. As a body of believers, the church needs to come around its brothers and sisters in love to speak truth in to their lives yet filled with grace. All of us struggle with something, so we all need to be seeking out community in which support for it members is a integral part of life, not that people may continue in their sin, but that they may seek repentance and freedom from it. For what do we have to hide? We are all human and we all fail. Praise God for who He is; perfect, righteous, and holy!

For more thought, here's a blog post that speaks of brokenness in relation to leaders and provoked my thought on this subject tonight.

"Godly character is grown in dependency crises. You are forced to deal with God and with yourself. Great leaders don't just visit these places of dependence; they try to live there."
-Darrin Patrick

The Friday Exposure: People

2009-04-03T09:44:00.000-07:00

If one were to stand back and just observe someone (people watching, not stalking), it would become quite noticeable how multifaceted human beings really are. For each person, there are unique combinations of personality traits, characteristics, preferences, and dislikes that go into defining who someone is. Sure people are similar, but no one is exactly identical in how they process interactions and thoughts, which goes towards each person's uniqueness. Likewise, each person responds in their own way to different stimuli, whether that be something as simple as a touch or something as complex as a deep discussion over deep-seated feelings in combination with a dimly lit, romantic atmosphere. Looking at any relationship (friends, family, marital), knowing what gets through to the other person to show that you care about the relationship is key and vital to the health of the relationship.

Therefore, if I were to ask "What is it that your friends, family, or spouse enjoy? What can you do to uplift them?", would you know how to respond? How well do we really know those who we are close to? More often than not, we think about what we can do to make life better for ourselves rather than what we could be doing to make life better for someone else. I myself am not exempt from this. I believe that as a community of believers, Christ followers need to be exemplifying this in their lives towards people they know and those they do not know. In terms of personal relationships, one idea I have heard about is taking notes on what friends enjoy. Then through those notes one will know how to uplift their friend no matter what the circumstances may be. If is someone you don't know well, then small gestures of kindness can go a long way. I am not saying these things to only better your relationship with specific people, but to encourage you to live like Christ with your focus being placed on those around you rather than on yourself and your needs or wants. Seek to benefit other before yourself.

So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. - Matthew 7:12

To Be a Man

2009-04-02T01:04:00.000-07:00

I highly encourage any man to watch the video below. Mark Driscoll strongly articulates what it means to be a man of God in marriage. However, this video is also directed to men who have aspirations of joining a woman in marriage someday and pursuing God's call together in union. So go right ahead and hit 'play'.

A Humbling Perspective

2009-03-30T09:27:00.000-07:00

The past few weeks have proved to be especially difficult. Its not so much a matter of what I busy my self with but more so the anxieties that have been plaguing me. I found it easy to say to my self "Don't focus on it" but really that did nothing to curb the welling fear of the uncertainty in the road ahead of me in terms of education and life. However, I kept trying my hardest to break from the depressing nature of such thoughts, but continually came to find that my own efforts, large or small, were to no avail. That is my weakness, I try to do everything with my own power rather than depending and waiting on God. Some may say that it is alright to worry about this thing or that but in thinking about it, I cannot get past the selfish nature of such thinking. Here I am thinking that my problems and uncertainties are the most important things in the world and that everything else can take its place behind them. How wrong I am!

These past few days God has done a lot to make me realize where my perspective should be. My perspective should not be focused on myself, but on God (Colossians 3:1) and those around me (Philippians 2: 3-4). What I mean by this is more than just taking them into consideration, but to manifest the love of Christ towards them over yourself in your actions. This could mean spending time with friends and really getting to know about what has been happening in their lives and how you could be praying for them. Gaining such a perspective of where I consider myself and my problems of the least significance to those of another person has been so freeing for me. This is exactly how Christ lived His life on earth. Christ made it a point to seek the interests of others by humbling Himself below that of His creation so that God's grace towards His creation would be made complete through the sacrificial death of Christ and His subsequent resurrection! (Philippians 2:5-8) God calls me to be obedient to Him in that I need to regard others as more important than my own worries or issues, not begrudgingly, but rather in a manner marked by obeisance. So while the future is still uncertain, I am excited for where God is leading me and even more excited for how He will use me to reach out to those in need!

The Friday Exposure: Unknown

2009-03-20T14:09:00.000-07:00

My heart feels heavy as the realizations of what a few forthcoming acceptance letters could mean for my life for the next 2 years. But I have to ask my self what matters most if it comes down to deciding between schools. Sure I could go for the easy options and choose the least expensive or the most accessible, but is that where my heart lies? Do I desire the materialistic gratifications of the academically better schools, if those should be options, or is there something more that I desire at the smaller schools that would have a larger impact for Christ? I do not know how to reconcile these past 8 months. I am seeing my connections with friends and acquaintances slowly being severed. Also, I have never before felt so disconnected with Arizona State University or with the college group at my home church. In regards to how I serve student ministries at church, I have been feeling that it is time to move on.

Often times the obvious path, according to society's standards, is not the path to be taken. At this point I feel a strong sense to move on and take a new path for which the end is blocked from sight. Usually people like to know where they are going, it gives them a sense of security. However, at this point I feel so stifled by other people's expectations of me that I will gladly take another path, not to prove them wrong but to figure out what the desires of my heart are in pursuit of seeking to serve God with my life.

You will seek Me (God) and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. -Jeremiah 29:13

Where will I go from this point? I'm not sure but within at least 1 week, if not 3 weeks, God will tell me where I will be for the next 2 years.

For what reason is God stirring my heart and leading me to do things that I could not have imagined a few short months ago?

The Friday Exposure: Hiding

2009-02-27T07:45:00.000-08:00

In the movie The Hiding Place, the ten Boom family hid Jews in Holland during WWII. When their actions were questioned by people in regards to why they were doing this, one of the daughters responded by saying, "The need is great. We must do what we can!"

How often is it that we ourselves resort to "hiding" when troubling times come even though we might not be the ones needing to be cared for? Too often. It is human nature to resort to self-preservation. However, this goes beyond something science tries to define as a natural instinct. Let's just face it, we are prideful and want others to fall (guilty or innocent) before we ourselves fall. I am not excluding myself from this group either.

Many times I find myself hiding my true thoughts about situations as a means to keep people happy or pleasant with me. After realizing I have done so I just want to kick myself for not being bold or courageous to actually speak up. This is a weakness that I have taken to praying about, that God might use me in some way and to seek Him out for the boldness to do so because I know that I don't have it. I want to see God work through me in such a way that I cannot rely on my own strength.

So are you hiding or are you "hiding" others?

The Friday Exposure: Dating and Love

2009-02-13T14:04:00.000-08:00

The other night I found my self thinking about the word 'dating' and how society defines that word. For me, dating is not some magical threshold that once crossed opens the door to new ways of showing love. Instead, the whole process of forming a relationship with someone of the opposite gender is just that, a process. In thinking about the words used to define where we are in that relationship process, I have come to realize that people often misconstrue those words to mean something physical.

Take 'dating' for example. That word should define the portion of the timeframe of the relationship in which both persons have first become open and honest about how they think of the other person and where they want to head with this relationship with the understanding that this period of time is for getting to know the other person better and to the point of being able to decide if marriage is the right course of action or if ending the relationship is what needs to happen. Continuing with another example, the word 'marriage' should mean that two people have committed to loving one another through both the smooth and the rough times of life and is meant to be a lifelong commitment.

However, upcoming generations do not view 'dating' or 'marriage' as specific timeframes of a relationship but rather as physical descriptions of the status held by two individuals in relation to one another. This can be seen in the expressions that society uses to convey the physical relationship between two people with examples being as follows: 'seeing each other', 'going out', 'hooking up', 'tie the knot', etc. What has been lost is the deeper meanings behind dating and marriage. All that is left in society is the shallow meanings of the physical side which interestingly correlate to self-gratification rather than love for the other person.

Living life to the fullest

2009-02-09T22:53:00.000-08:00

The glory of God is man fully alive

- Saint Irenaeus

The Friday Exposure: Surprise!

2009-02-07T18:14:00.001-08:00

There are times when in the course of life I hope for the unexpected to happen, and sometimes it happens but most often it does not. But then there are times where I am not even hoping for the unexpected and I get a great surprise I could not have imagined. Just like the snow-covered mountains in this photo taken two years ago, could I be on the verge of yet another great surprise?

I hope so...

Faith or fear

2009-02-05T15:37:00.000-08:00

At Arizona State University (ASU) this semester, I am taking a course entitled Religion, Magick, and Science (REL 382). Its an interesting course in that the professor's focus is on the history behind how religion, magick, and science have been connected throughout the ages. There has been two ideas that he seems to keep touching back on and have come to intrigue me and on which I have and continue to dwell upon.

The first idea being people who become defensive and start snapping at another person when their faith is being questioned, even if it is only a discussion and not an attack. The professor would say that this happens because people are insecure in regards to their faith. Alright, I can agree with that. When a person is questioned in regards to what they believe to be true, I would expect them to hold strong to that belief, even if they cannot adequately explain why they believe what they believe. I would like to think that I would be able to handle questions that I cannot answer about my beliefs and still hold on to my faith without succumbing to defensive fighting. Faith is a crucial aspect as God did not call us to understand Him as much was we possibly can because that is impossible. What God called us to was to love Him and love others as much as you would love yourself. Love should be our prime focus through which God will teach us out of our desire to know Him more what we need to know in order to serve Him better!

The second idea that the professor brought up was about people, Christ-followers specifically, who avoid certain items (by touch, sight, or hearing) because such items have an association with a belief that is not biblically based. To me this seems ridiculous. If I were to look at figurines, statues, or drawings associated with another person's belief system, I would not be overcome by it to the point of withdrawing from it. Such items have no power over me or nature. They are powerless. Thus, I have no need to fear such things because I know God. I will even say that the Bible has no power as it is an inatimate object. There is only one Being that needs to be feared and that is God, not Satan.

The Friday Exposure: Certain

2009-01-30T14:25:00.001-08:00

At this precise moment in time, in the span of the ages, I desperately want to be certain that the economy will not affect my education and that I will graduate in 2.5 years. I want to be as certain of this just as I am of water falling due to gravity. However, I cannot be assured of anything. The economy is beyond my control. As more and more businesses fail and people get laid off and the education system gets slammed, I realize more and more the implications of trusting in God. My only escape can be found in God, not anything that I can do. Sure I can try my best to give myself options for the future but if that is done outside of seeking God then they are worthless. To be quite open, that is something that I have been learning about over this past year. I will say that I am not the best in seeking God out first explicitly when facing challenging situations and I have been seeking God out to change that in my life. For real change to take place in a person's life, that person needs to be seeking God out daily, both in the Bible and in prayer. Going to church once a week does not cut it! Daily we are prone to sin, thus daily we need to go to God with that in mind and with our shortcomings before us. Pray against your weaknesses, not only once a day but at any time from when you are at peace to when the temptations come. My weakness lately has been uncertainty in the future, especially my education. However, I do not need to be anxious (Matthew 6:25) with what happens as I know God is in control of all things. My life is not my own (Jeremiah 10:23) as it was bought at a price. In that I am certain.

The Friday Exposure: Invisible

2009-01-23T16:37:00.000-08:00

Invisible - Unseen. Unnoticed.

In life, how can a person be deemed "invisible"? I think the answer to that is simple as I believe myself to fall short in living out loud and being confident of who I am in Christ. In asking myself that question, I have no good answer to justify my actions these past years. While I have been doing specific things (Czech Republic, Slovakia, student ministries) with the time God has provided me, I believe to be fully effective with the time God has given me is to live with the mindset that God is not just restricted to my free time but to all of my time. At times I realize this but I don't take it to heart, I don't live it out in my daily life. So am I here to coast through this time in my life and just live for God on the weekends?....No! Christ never did such a thing as He was always about His Father's work when He started His ministry. Change is needed in my life in regards to that area.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
- Romans 1:16

Redefining Success

2009-01-13T21:39:00.001-08:00

To succeed is at the very least to try even if failure is possible because even though failure could be a descriptor of the outcome, it can never be a descriptor of the experience or knowledge gained from such efforts.

The Friday Exposure: Hopeful

2009-01-09T12:02:00.001-08:00

I stand looking forward with hopeful expectations of things to come. I look on, eager to keep moving and gaining ground. Such beauty surrounds me from my lowly point of view. The path is not clearly marked. So many think that they know the way but who is to say that I'm heading in their direction. If I should end up at a different location than I intended, then so be it. I'll be alright with that as I will consider the journey worth it to have taken the risk to head towards the original destination. For learning is not about being content with what you comprehend but is the endeavor to understand what is not known. A successful journey is not void of risks, one of which is the choice to make that first step forward.

The Friday Exposure: Future

2009-01-02T22:59:00.000-08:00

2008 has been quite monumental in my life in learning, growing, and understanding more about God. Things have been ~~easy~~ difficult during these past 12 months at different points. If I had known that things were going to be rough, would I have still endured them? Beyond all doubt I would have endured them and consequently learned from those experiences. Being comfortable is nice but what do I gain other than pleasure in my self. Rather, being willing to be stretched by God is worth all of the hardships that such experiences from this past summer, from school, and from life and friends. I look forward to much more learning, growing, and understanding this coming year as I have begun this past year to see and comprehend the value found in the humbling of one's own soul. And above all else, keep my focus on God.

The future is bright....

The Friday Exposure: Simplicity

2008-12-26T23:08:00.001-08:00

As holidays come and pass this season, I have to say that the time I enjoyed the most was not Christmas day or the upcoming New Years party I will inevitably be at Wednesday night, nor was it spending time with the family (which I do love to do), but rather the most enjoyable time I found this holiday season was in the solitude it brought with having no classes to attend or shifts to work. Sadly this is something that has seemed to disappear over the course of this past semester in school as there was always something I should have been doing. I have thoroughly enjoyed being in solitude with God this past week and a half in prayer and in the Bible and also in reading Humility by Andrew Murray. The subsequent thoughts, ideas, and challenges the previous four have provided me these past days have also been something that I have found to be provoking on spiritual, emotional, and physical levels, and thus a welcomed change in my life as it questions concepts that I have held fast to for years. This is not to say that I completely changed my way of thinking and how I view life, but rather I have tweaked my views and thinking to be more in line with the truths that God laid down. Spiritual growth is not a static thing but rather it is dynamic and directly impacts a person's emotional and physical being as well as how the person's view on life and what surrounds him or her.

So why have we gone to great strides to make our lives easier but in the process add more junk in where we have saved time with technology. To some it is a matter of image, to others it is the difference between being full or hungry. We have strayed from being dependent on God to being independent and self-centered. We have become addicted to the fast-paced whirlwind of life around us. So I urge you to take time and seek simplicity this holiday season and forget about what has to be done, even if it is only for a moment....

Reflecting on the words of Andrew Murray

2008-12-24T22:12:00.000-08:00

Over the past few weeks I have been reading Humility by Andrew Murray and I just wanted to share here some quotes that my mind has been chewing on.

...it is not sin that humbles but grace.

Humility, the place of entire dependence upon God, is from the very nature of things the first duty and the highest virtue of His creatures.

It is pride that made redemption necessary; it is from our pride that we need, above everything else, to be redeemed.

A lesson of deepest importance is that the only humility that is really ours is not the kind we try to show before God in prayer, but the kind we carry with us, and carry out, in our ordinary conduct.

The presence of God is not dependent upon times and seasons, but upon a soul ready to do His will and forget itself.

Being occupied with self, even having the deepest self-abhorrence, can never free us from self.

As we see how in their very nature pride and faith are irreconcilably at odds, we learn that faith and humility are at their root one, and that we can never have more of true faith than we have of true humility.

...How can I die to self? Death to self is not your work; it is God's work.

Nature never can overcome nature, not even with the help of grace. Self can never cast out self, even in the regenerate man.

Through trials and failures and troubles, [God] seeks to bring us to the place where His grace is everything.

Make [God's] glory your motivation to humble yourself; He will make your glory His motivation to perfect your humility.

The Friday Exposure: Tracks

2008-12-19T10:44:00.001-08:00

This past semester of college has seen myself get derailed a number of times due to unforeseen or unexpected circumstances. Thus I find myself on tracks that I did not expect to find myself on. However, I am beginning to see the good in these changes. School has been extended a semester longer but now I will have my summers open and free. Options have opened up to go to Poland and possibly the Czech Republic as well. Most likely I'll be at ASU next fall but there is an option for other places....

For now, I will stay on the current track I'm on at this moment, this season of my life. I will stay this direction until God moves me either forcefully or through new avenues that may open down the line. As of now, I submit my self to God's will and trust in what He is doing and head towards....

the unknown.

The Friday Exposure: Fishing....

2008-12-12T22:33:00.000-08:00

as there are many fish in the sea.

The Spirit of Giving

2008-12-11T13:49:00.000-08:00

Upon driving to ASU this morning to meet with my Saudi Arabian conversation partners, I heard a typical comment that one would hear during the Christmas holiday season on the radio.

"....as we get into the spirit of giving this season"

I must have missed the memo again....apparently society has decided that giving is not a year-wide expression to hold on to. Alright, I'm being melodramatic but it does not diminish the fact that something is inherently wrong with the aforementioned statement. I think this points to the depressing reality that society as a whole tends to promote materialism and possessiveness.

The question I press then is "should we not be generous other times of the year?" Or is Christmas relegated to be the sole time of year to have the 'spirit of giving'?

The Friday Exposure: Lost

2008-12-05T20:27:00.000-08:00

I'm lost when it comes to a lot of things:

computer programming
good music
bad food
attracting a significant other
Rubik's cubes
playing musical instruments

If someone were to ask where I see myself in the future, the daydreaming side of myself would easily say that I am graduated from Arizona State University with a baccalaureate degree in nursing and working at a hospital while also raising a family. However, I have to disagree with myself as the realistic side of myself would say that I have no idea what will happen in the near future. I am going to side with my realistic side here. I feel that the direction I am heading in is the correct direction. I cannot expect to stay heading in that one direction until I get to whatever goal I am hoping to achieve. There will be situations and events that will throw me off my course.....for better or worse.

At the moment however, I feel lost. I know what I want my end goal to be but how do I get there? What direction do I take? Are there other goals to travel to on the way? The irony of writing this is that the song "Trust" by Sixpence None the Richer just finished playing a moment ago. Below is some of the lyrics that I should take to heart.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
lean not on your own understanding
in all of your ways acknowledge Him
and He will make your paths straight
don't worry about tomorrow
He's got it under control
just trust in the Lord with all of your heart
and He will carry you through

The Friday Exposure: Guidance

2008-11-28T00:06:00.001-08:00

Clouds....

The wind takes them across vast lands....

Humans....

Their conduct and choices dictate what they face....

Self....

God continues to to guide and teach through trials

Expectations

2008-11-26T20:33:00.000-08:00

As of lately, thoughts of the word 'expectation' has been circulating in my mind. All of us have expectations about everything. We expect other drivers on the road to drive without running into us. We expect ourselves to get hungry in the morning, around noon, and around nightfall. We even expect friends to behave or respond in a specific way. So are expectations good to have or are they a hindrance?

Yes and no.

Expectations are good to have of differently people when it comes to getting tasks done. You would not want to put someone in charge of a task for which they are not trained in or knowledgeable about. It is the complete opposite in that you want to put someone in charge of an assignment for which they are capable and competent in completing. This is great for employees and volunteers but when it comes to friends you can't place expectations on them.

I have found my self in a number of situations in which I have placed expectations on people without vocalizing them. In my case, this leads me to being upset and frustrated or just plain confused in regards to the actual reality of the situation. Not good. However, I should clarify even further that I am referring to when we hold expectations with our human (selfish) desires at the forefront. Selfishly, we want things to happen and work themselves out but only if it happens according to our wishes. I must pray against this and watch myself as I have found it is very easy for me to slip in this area and hold selfish expectations of close friends.

The Friday Exposure: Humility

2008-11-22T00:03:00.001-08:00

It needs to be made clear that it is not sin that humbles but grace. It is the soul occupied with God in His wonderful glory as Creator and Redeemer that will truly take the lowest place before Him.
--Andrew Murray

The Friday Exposure: Spoken

2008-11-15T00:53:00.001-08:00

For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven,
And do not return there without watering the earth
And making it bear and sprout,
And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater;
So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth;
It will not return to Me empty,
Without accomplishing what I desire,
And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.
--God
Isaiah 55:10-11

The bible is not merely words on a piece of paper or parchament but rather it is to be revered as the spoken word of God who manifested His words by means of specifically picked authors at specific points in time. God's spoken word in the bible is as powerful today as it was when He first spoke it.

The Friday Exposure: Deterioration

2008-11-07T16:40:00.000-08:00

What happens when all of a person's dreams for the future and their confidence becomes shattered? What happens when man's plans begin to deteriorate and fall apart? What is left? Our human desires give way to the desire of the Holy Spirit in our lives. God shows us where are weaknesses and fault lines lie, not to guilt us and show us how bad or off the mark we are, but as a means to bring us back to Him and His perfect plan. For me, this past week I have seen my plans for the spring and summer change outside of my control and efforts. My confidence in my own strength and plans has been shattered. However, I am not destroyed. I have been crumbled in many ways but I am not hopeless. My confidence in my own abilities is shaken but not in God's sovereignty. God has a plan that includes me. God will build into His servant all that is necessary to complete His plan. I will not be lacking in anything that God calls me to. My hope is in Him as I am human and I will fail. How good it is to be able to place my life in God's care as I am confident that He knows best. The cracks and decay in my life will be repaired, not by my efforts, but by Christ in regards to what He is calling me to. I may not have made it into Arizona State University's nursing program for this coming spring, but maybe come fall, it will turn into reality.

The Friday Exposure: Encroachment

2008-11-01T00:47:00.001-07:00

As of lately (this weekend especially), I went from feeling so sure of myself and pretty sure of what I was going to be doing this coming semester to not knowing what these next few years will hold and what I had hoped to take place dashed against the rocks of reality. The more I try to make sense of it all, the more I realize that at this point in time I will never fully know the implications of my denial into the upper division nursing program at ASU. To be quite frank, it feels as though the light of present knowledge is being encroached upon by the shadows of an uncertain future.

Stripped of something that I considered valuable, I'm at a loss for what to do. I perceive my self to be lost without some semblence of direction. However, I am sure that from God's perspective I am right where He wants me to be. I may not know where that is at the moment but I have to trust Him. There is no other option.

Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.

The Friday Exposure: Tranquility

2008-10-24T23:57:00.000-07:00

There is one thing that I have been neglecting to do these past few weeks. It is not spending time with God in His word. It is not school work. It is not spending time with family. It is not commitment to the student ministries at church. What I have been neglecting is something that American society as a whole has seemed to devalue as time has passed. What I am referencing is reflection on what is happening around me and who is in my life at this moment. Even in the midst of this turbulent time with school, church, and, as of recently, work, I still need to take time to look at life as it is happening around me. In doing so, I see more than just my life but the lives of others. I try to imagine what other people are doing in situations. Why are they there? I wonder to myself, what drives them to get through the day? What is there motivation? For me, the answer is easy as it is to live for God. I cannot speak for others but after realizing this, I come to see the peace and security I have laid in Christ no matter what my circumstances are. That alone brings a comfort to me that is not laid upon material things. The comfort I am speaking about is that which comes from the knowledge of God's grace. Nothing can surpass comfort that has knowledge of God as it's foundation. So in getting myself out of and above the soup that I refer to as life here, I am able to see what is around me and more importantly it allows me to see that God is above it all. God's glory and sovereignty is manifested in a distinct and sharply defined way that is beyond the scope of understanding of our minds. We realize the distinction exists but cannot fully grasp the complexity and reach of it both in the physical and metaphysical sense. God illuminates the "soup" in a way I could never conceive of alone with my own eyes. Regardless of this fact, the amount of peace and comfort that God bring to my life is beyond explanation......and I am completely fine with that. There is no need for explanation. Just savor it.

The Friday Exposure: Stripped

2008-10-17T16:17:00.000-07:00

Maybe at one point in your life you have been stripped.....of rank, position, ambition, dignity, or during a search. Regardless, each of these things results in a person being humbled as a consequence of some action taken. Most people would associate these situations as being unfavorable. However, when it comes to my faith, to be humbled, to be stripped of all that I hold in high esteem in regards to my character and values is a good thing. It is far too easy to forget about what is important in life (God) and to spend time, money, and focus on. God makes known to me what my focus and priorities are in life and whether they are in line with His desires for my life through such experiences. Life is more than just living to make it through, living to have wealth, and living to be good. Rather, we are called to be obedient to God's calling, not to put it in the back closet to pull out at the end of it all when we deem that we have the time for it. His calling does not cease, it just changes in manifestation.

Luke 12:15 - The He (Jesus) said to them, "Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions."

The Friday Exposure: Castaway

2008-10-10T14:10:00.000-07:00

After being away from home, friends, and the community that I considered myself to be a part of, it is quite the shock to return and find everything that I once knew has changed drastically. Who could have imagined how much change can take place within a span of 2.5 months? I certainly did not but in some ways I guess I was naive as I knew it would happen, but I never expected to such a degree. At the moment I am at a loss for finding community. Also, I have come to realize that some of my friendships seem to be less than what I thought they were. It is sobering to come back an realize that people who I considered friends have been taking me for granted.

After losing what has been built up over the course of 3 years in one swift move, new community cannot be established as quickly as it was lost. Community takes time to develop as it requires the building of trust and camaraderie through which deep personal connections, support and fellowship grow and thrive. It is my hope that over this next year God will place me where I need to be in terms of community and fellowship, wherever that may be. It is also my hope that God would surround me with friends who truly care about mutuality required in a friendship as one sided friendships are doomed to failure.

Josiah Venture's 2x3 Campaign

2008-10-08T18:39:00.000-07:00

At the end of October, the 30th to be exact, Josiah Venture is coming to the Phoenix area to share with people what God has been doing in Europe and what may happen in the near future. It is Josiah Venture's vision to see their ministry double in fruitfulness in three years time. So come and check it out! Its free! All you have to do is RSVP.

Check out the 2x3 Campaign website for more details and to RSVP for the event.

One Percent from Josiah Venture on Vimeo.

Summertime Reflections

2008-08-18T15:09:00.000-07:00

Looking back on this summer I can say I am wrought with a mix of emotions in regards to the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and home. In those last hours I spent riding the train from Ceske Budejovice to Prague and the subsequent wait in the airport, I was not looking forward to the physical manifestation of home that I call Arizona, but rather I was looking forward to talking with my close friends who I consider to be my actual home. In actuality I could care less about Arizona or the USA. If those that I consider to be close to me moved to another state or country, then I will have lost the community that I call my home.

Going beyond what I realize is home, God taught me more about myself than I could have ever realized going into this summer. God showed me how much we as believers need to be in fellowship with one another. We can be surrounded by many people but unless we have those few select people with who we can go deep with, we are missing something vital. Being transparent with a close friend allows that fellow believer to see your life from a completely different angle than you, speak into it, and be able to encourage you through that way. In no way am I saying that is a means to cut out on time spent with God studying scripture and praying. For me, my time with God was the thing that I desperately clung to to get through the days I was not at a camp.

Also, another thing that I came to realize is my weakness in relating to people I just meet. I'm not horrible but I can quickly deteriorate from doubt and my own insecurities. Usually ends up spiraling down to the point where I would rather withdraw rather than stick around the awkward situations. So for future reference I will have to work on this area and keep from withdrawing during the rough times. I thank God for everything He taught me this summer through being on a small intern team in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. I loved my teammates and continue to do so. There is nothing that I would have traded the hardships of those 2.5 months for.

Beware in your prayer, above everything, of limiting God, not only by unbelief, but by fancying that you know what He can do. --Andrew Murray

Czech: Pictures

2008-08-18T11:06:00.001-07:00

To see more photos, below are links to 3 albums of photos.

1) Before the start of English camps
http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2326207&l=5194f&id=10036145

2) Ceske Budejovice and Strakonice English Camps
http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2351822&l=47780&id=10036145

3) Presov English Camp and Debriefing
http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2351826&l=8d1ce&id=10036145

Czech: Home (Part 9)

2008-08-14T12:37:00.000-07:00

21 hours ago I stepped off the plane at Phoenix Sky Harbor to be greeted by the forthcoming heatwave that is known as the Arizona summer. Never before has 100 degrees felt so homely. To wrap up the last weeks worth of events, it started with debriefing in Prague with the other summer interns located in the Czech Republic. It was such an awesome time to be able to talk with and share stories about the summer with the other interns. What was even better was being able to share with each other what we learned and how we grew through the summer. With one of the interns, the change was clearly evident in comparison to the beginning of the summer and such was encouraging to see. Debriefing in general went well with paperwork to fill out in regards to our thoughts and feelings toward the entire summer and each camp specifically. Getting on to more interesting stuff, my intern team had our last dinner together on Saturday during which we spend the time going over how we have seen each other grow this summer and just encourage one another one last time before saying our good byes (at least in regards to being a team together). I am sure that this was not the last time I would see any of them.

Sunday morning at 3:30 am, the interns who were not staying longer left for the airport. For me it was not a problem waking up to say goodbye to them as I never when to sleep. After returning to the Czech Inn Hostel around 1 am, I stayed up working on debriefing paperwork and team finances (fun stuff). After seeing them off, I went to bed for 4 hours and then woke up, said my goodbyes to my team and whoever was up and I left for the train station with the final destination being Ceske Budejovice. I spent a few days in CB with my friend Ondra and his family. I am so glad that I decided to stay the few extra days as it was so great to be able to have conversations with Ondra about different issues in our lives. This time was encouraging for me and I can only hope that it was just as or more encouraging for him. Also, it was great to meet up with some of the students from camp to play pool or bowl. As for staying at Ondra's place, it was awesome. His family was so hospitable and generous towards me that I hope to be as kind to others as they were to me. I thank God for them. At 9 pm my time in Ceske Budejovice came to end as the train pulled out of the station and I said my final goodbye (for now) to Ondra. Someday within the next 2 years I hope to return to the Czech Republic.

The train pulled into the Prague train station at midnight and from there I worked my way over to the airport with some difficulty. I could not find where a certain bus stop was and so I ended up walking to Namesti Republiky to catch the tram headed towards the airport. Finally at 1:45 am I reached the airport and proceeded to stay awake for the night as had an early flight out. So walking through the airport, it came at me by surprise when I found my self in front of a Starbucks. They are like body hair, they can be found just about everywhere. Well, putting my ill thoughts of the company aside, I stepped up to the counter to order a venti caffe latte as I needed caffeine. I quickly noticed that the price of the venti caffe latte when converted to dollars was roughly $7. Ouch! After a bit of rationalizing, I decided to bite the cost (besides I needed to get rid of the currency) and order it. Well I milked that cup for the next hour while I sat and waited in Starbucks for time to pass. While enjoying my $7 cup of coffee (you in the States have no room to complain), I spotted the Prague Starbucks coffee mugs and decided to get one for my brother. In doing so, Starbucks gave me another free coffee, anything I wanted, so another caffe latte later, I was wired with no chance of falling asleep. 3 flights later, I landed in Phoenix. It is good to be home from a great summer in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

Czech: Presov Camp (Part 8)

2008-08-07T04:41:00.000-07:00

Three days ago Presov Slovakia camp ended and I returned with the team to Strakonice for the very last time this summer. However, getting here was quite the trip. After spending one night in Presov, our team broke into two groups to travel back to the Czech Republic. Josh and Aubree took a route through Bratislava so that Aubree could sign paperwork in regards to her extended visa. Leah and I took a route going through Zilina with the ultimate goal of going through Cesky Tesin and Olomouc. The route was set up this way on purpose for I planned on meeting two friend from home on the train starting at Cesky Tesin and ending at Olomouc. Everything worked out well and I was able to meet with Thomas and Stephanie and spend almost 2 hours in conversation with them. Talking to them was uplifting and encouraging for me as I had not been in face-to-face contact with anyone from home since Ceske Budejovice camp which was at the end of June. I am so glad that everything worked out so well and smooth....at least up to that point. Eventually the train reached Prague but we were 10 minutes late. We then had to rush over to the bus station but arrived 10 minutes after our bus to Strakonice was scheduled to leave. With no options left in regards to reaching Strakonice, we headed over to the Czech Inn to get some sleep before continuing on in the morning. At the Czech Inn, we met some of the other summer interns who were staying in Prague for the few days preceding debriefing. After reaching Strakonice, I spent our last day there at a party during which I said my good byes to the students that I had come to know from being at camp. It was a great end to the many weeks that I spent living in Strakonice during this summer.

Looking back on the camp that just finished, I can say that it sure was interesting. Every day had a full schedule of activities and other events which left little free time for people to gain some during. However, the camp was a lot of fun. The evening program was awesome and the various speakers did an awesome job. I personally would hope that the evening programs that students ministries camps back home would be as fun and attention grabbing as those I experienced last week were. The one thing I missed at this camp though was the lack of discussion groups. I felt that it was a lot harder to bring up the speaker's topics in a one-on-one setting. I think that a group discussion might have worked better. Beyond all of that, the camp was good and it was a lot of fun. The location of the camp was on the top of a ski mountain so it had quite the view. So the last night (read as morning), I went with a group of people to the top to watch the sun rise above the trees. Two other guys and myself helped carry another intern up to the top since she had hurt her ankle and could not walk on it. Nevertheless, the view as terrific. What a great camp to end the summer on.

Czech: Strakonice Camp (Part 7)

2008-07-18T19:03:00.000-07:00

Today is the last day of camp. This week has been so hectic and crazy that I have not been able to sit down and write an update earlier due to time constraints and for the basic fact that it was not my priority to get an update out while at camp when I could be spending the time with students. So here I find myself still awake at 4am writing quick update of a long week.

This has been a difficult camp for reasons not typically associated with the second camp. Usually, the second camp is harder due to it being in the middle and us interns not having much motivation for it if the previous camp went extremely well (which it did). In my view, it was none of these reasons so much as the people from the states that the problems revolved around. The case presented here at this camp dealt with a few strong-willed leaders seemingly railroad the Czech team leader at different times. This created tension between the 4 different teams which could have been avoided in the first place. Also, at times I found my disagreeing with the way in which the speaker spoke. Never before have I heard a speaker be so frank in bashing the US. While yes there are things that the US has done that I don't fully agree with, to bash the US is to stereotype the people and thus cause people to have a more negative view than the one they held previously. So without dwelling on the problems faced in this camp too much, there has been a fair amount of conflict but, so far as I know, it has been dealt with accordingly.

Looking past all the difficulties experienced at this camp, I believe that God is at work in Strakonice. I think that many of the students are still wrestling with the truths that were presented here at camp and that a decision will be made in the future, but not that this current time. Who are we to decide how and when God will grow a person in understanding and fruit? We cannot and thus we have to trust in Him.

Well the next few days will be follow-up so I am hoping that a good number of students will join us in the planned activities. Follwing follow-up, we interns will be heading to Oloumoc to gain some rest before leaving for Slovakia. Continue to be praying for strength and continued unity for our small intern team.

Czech: 2 Days of Rest (Part 6)

2008-07-06T06:43:00.000-07:00

Here we are, back in Strakonice for 2 days to relax and recoup strength before we head back to Malenovice for training with the American teams that are going to be helping out at the Strakonice English Camp. So a few things that you can be praying for is that me and the rest of the team will be fully rested before camp starts this coming Saturday. I have been told that the second camp of the summer is typically the roughest one due to being in the middle and with having another camp to compare to. Knowing that, I will be trying hard to head into this camp with the mindset of it being a blank slate that has yet to be filled out. Each camp is unique and should never be compared to another as that can cause me and the other interns to lose our focus and motivation. With all of that in mind though, I am really looking forward to being at a new camp and to meeting new people.

As much I am looking forward to the next camp, I cannot forget what I just came from. To follow up on the Ceske Budejovice camp in a few words, it was awesome. I'm so glad to have come back to the Czech Republic and meet people that I met two years ago. It was so encouraging to see them again and see what God was doing in their lives. I will continue to stay connected to them through the internet and hope that I may somehow continue to encourage them in all that they are doing in Ceske Budejovice and the Czech Republic. Beyond just seeing old friends, the camp was great.

Thinking back over the past week, we did a lot in a short amount of time that seemed to have passed far too quickly. The english lessons that the AZ team from my home church prepared were great and the students had an awesome time during class. The daily discussion groups were also really great, they were never completely in English but they were still good and we had some interesting conversations about life, ourselves, and spiritual matters (ie: heaven and hell). In the middle of the week, we went on a hike with the destination being a watchtower on a forested hill overlooking the surrounding area dotted with small villages. Through all of the different events and activities, the best part of all of them was the time spent with the students. Also, since the week was pretty crazy and I didn't get much sleep, I could see God working through all of it, giving me, my team, and the other teams energy to have fun with the students and build connections with them. I should also mention that throughout most of the week, a lot of the leaders were sick with a cold or flu, but God was amazing and gave them the strength to carry on and not let them get depressed with themselves.

Czech: The Team

2008-06-27T03:28:00.000-07:00

Czech: Leaving Strakonice (Part 5)

2008-06-27T03:08:00.000-07:00

Our time living here in Strakonice has come to a close. This evening we will be leaving for the Ceske Budejovice camp and will meet up with the Grace Community Church team tonight at the campgrounds. While I might not have expressed how excited I am to be seeing them, I am thrilled to finally get the chance to talk with an old friend about issues that have come up since I left at the end of May. Oh I cannot wait to see them tonight!

For the past few days here we have been just as busy as usual. It seems that we've had at least one person, if not more, over for dinner these past few nights. This has been great as we've had so many opportunities to pour encouragement into the youth group here in Strakonice through the conversations we have had with students. Two nights ago we hosted a parents party so that the parents of students in the youth group could understand better what camp is all about and learn a little bit about the differences between Czech and American culture. That specifically was a lot of fun as we broke into small groups to act out different American cultural stereotypes. The day previous though, I got the chance to go biking with a Czech and so I took the offer. What an amazing time that was as I got to learn more about him and how he had come to be so involved in the local church. What an experience that was to be talking about our lives while riding through the Czech countryside.

As I said before, we will be leaving for camp tonight so be praying that this next week will be awesome. I believe that God will do amazing things this summer!

Reflections in a Czech Mirror

2008-06-22T12:34:00.000-07:00

Most nights that I go out by my self, I am usually being driven by a need to either escape the presence of people or to contemplate different thoughts or both. As of lately it seems to be that I have been seeking to escape the presence of my teammates, whom I love and care for deeply. I cannot be around them at night for specific reasons, namely for the reason that I do not want to think negatively of them. So I leave, get some fresh air, then go to bed. However, last night was unusual. Instead of being mopey and depressed about feeling exclusion from my two teammates, I was filled with a strange sense of peace about everything that was going on and even with my own life. Standing on the bridge at 3am, overlooking the river that runs through Strakonice, gazing downriver in the full moon light, I realized that no matter what is thrown my way, God is ultimately in control. He is my comfort and my joy in both the easy going times and the hard times. Thinking through the events, situations, and issues of the past 2 weeks, I am still at a crossroads of how to handle certain things but in the process of thinking about it all, I was not holding onto bitterness. Moving on to other thoughts, namely past relationships and the affect they had on my life, I came to realize that they all played a key part in my learning something. This carried on to thinking about the future of my life. But as I got into it, again I realized that God is in control of it, always has been and always will be. And again, I could feel peace rising up in my soul and spirit, for a short while at least.

Czech: Strakonice Continued (Part 4)

2008-06-20T03:41:00.000-07:00

The days have been great here in Strakonice, CZ. We've been connecting with students from the youth group here through activities that we plan but also through different events the students themselves host (movie night). Yesterday afternoon we had an awesome time hanging out with students while playing different sports and games. We played some ultimate frisbee, basketball, and the game of signs. While it was fun to be with the students from the youth group, it was even more awesome to hang out with a guy that we met while playing the games. He saw us playing signs and asked if he could join in. Well, he wasn't too weirded out and accepted our invitation to come to dinner with us that night. Through conversing with him, we found out that he had been looking for people that he could talk to about different current events, issues, and even some philosophical and religious ideas. We are hoping that he continues to seek out a few of the local students to talk to about such things and hopefully through them, see the love of Christ. This is what I am here for. This is the purpose of it all. To seek out students, build up connections with them, and share with them the love that is found in Christ. Everyone is hurting in someway, yet the glory of it all is found in God's redemption through Christ's death and subsequent resurrection.

Czech: Strakonice Home (Part 3)

2008-06-14T13:31:00.000-07:00

As of Monday this week, we arrived in Strakonice, our home for the next few weeks. Ironically enough however, Josh and I left the next day to accompany Aubree on a trip to Ceske Tesin where she had to take care of some paperwork. We spent the next 2 nights in Ceske Tesin (us guys at Nate's and Aubree at Lucka's). At this point, I have traveled across this country 4 times now from one side to the other. I am now very confident that I could travel to any place in the Czech Republic without too much hassle. Major props to the czech transit system.

These last 2 days found us in Pisek, spending time at a town festival with youth from nearby cities and youth groups. It was a great opportunity for us to meet people we will be working with in the coming month of July as well as continue to build friendships with some of the youth we met in Ceske Budejovice last weekend when we went down there to spend time with the youth group located there. While in Ceske Budejovice, I was able to meet up with some of the people I met 2 years ago. It was so awesome to be able to see some familiar faces again. At the Pisek festival, the youth group was able to get some time on one of the stages that were setup so it was awesome to be there and support the group with their music performance. The best part about it was that it was relaxing event to the end of a busy 2 weeks. Also, I learned to not expect the sun to always come out like it does in Phoenix so needless to say, yesterday was a cold day. So as of yesterday, we have 2 weeks until the start of the first camp, which is the Ceske Budejovice camp. I'm looking forward to seeing the team coming my home church, Grace Community Church. Until then though, there is lots to do here in Strakonice as well as in other parts of the country.

Czech: End of Training Week (Part 2)

2008-06-04T09:32:00.000-07:00

Today marks the end of summer intern training week at Malenovice in eastern Czech Republic. So all of the intern teams working in the Czech Republic this summer have been using the day to see the other teams off, relax, and continue to build friendships between each other before heading out on Friday morning. But these last few days have been pretty great. The only thing that has overshadowed this week is the passing of Dan, an old mentor/volunteer of the high school group. While this is a sorroful event, it is at the same time filled with joy for he knew Christ as his Savior. Dan knew where he was coming from and where he was going, to spend eternity with God and His glory.

This last monday night however, our team finally became complete with the arrival of our teammate Aubree. This did not come without stress though. She was supposed to get in at the Frydland train station at 11:45pm but that time came and passed. We ended up driving to the next three stations down the line looking for her but did not find her. After that, we get on the road to the town of Ostrava to see if she missed the train but en route we received a phone call telling us she that she had just reached the Frydland on the last train of the night at 1:45 am. We quickly made a U-turn and picked her up at the station...running over a hedgehog in the process. Finally, our team became complete. Well, its almost dinner time over here (9 hours ahead of Arizona time) so I'll throw up another update sometime next week.

Czech: Arrival (Part 1)

2008-05-31T15:44:00.000-07:00

To all who know me back home, I arrived safely in the Czech Republic this past Wednesday (5/28) around 12 noon. The flights went well amid running across London's Heathrow airport to catch the plane to Prague. I then spent the next few days with my teammate Josh and our team leader Leah traveling across the Czech Republic in a race against the other intern teams to reach the final destination of Malenovice, which is on the eastern edge of the country. Sadly we did not win the race. The race was awesome in that it put our team in situations that tested how well we interacted with one another and showed some areas where we are weak. Also, the race allowed us to get to know each other really well and I am excited to be on a team with them. Tomorrow, the last member of our team will arrive and then our team for this summer will be complete.

So as of now, I have been at Malenovice since Friday night and am currently in the middle of intern training for this summer. It has been a great few days getting to know the other interns and where they will be going to serve this summer. There are some awesome people that God brought to eastern europe this summer. In a couple days, my team and I will be traveling to Strakonice, which is in the southern portion of the country. In Strakonice, we will be going around to schools and promoting the english camps. Then in the end of June, I will get to see the 2-week team from Grace in Ceske Budejovice, of which I am excited for.

Pre-Czech

2008-05-23T18:06:00.000-07:00

I am down to having 90 hours (3.5 days) left before I depart for the Czech Republic. I am excited to be leaving but I think my teammate said it best when she said "it is almost surreal." There are so many things I have yet to finish (packing and such) before I leave with not quite enough time, but on the other hand, Tuesday morning seems to be taking its time getting here.

When I reach Prague on Wednesday, I will be thrown into a race, similar to tv show The Amazing Race, with the other summer interns to reach Malenovice, which is conveniently located on the opposite side of the country.

To give you an update on new information, I will be helping to run 3 different camps this summer. Two of them will be in the Czech Republic at Ceske Budejovice and Strakonice. The third and last camp will be in Slovakia. This is going to be a busy, yet amazing, summer!

Photos for Sale for Good Cause

2008-04-16T08:57:00.000-07:00

Update: I am now fully funded for this summer. Thank you to all who helped make this possible. However, if you are interested in any of the photographs, just let me know and we'll work something out.

As many of you may know, I will be going to the Czech Republic this summer to be an intern with Josiah Venture for roughly the whole summer. I will be working with local students in a summer camp setting, helping them with their english and playing sports with them. Currently I am trying to raise money so that I can go. Right now I am sitting at $1310 of a roughly $4000 needed.

So in order to raise more money for this trip, I have decided to open up my photographs for sale. Any profit that comes from selling my photographs will go towards this trip. To view my photographs, go to my flickr page. Now I do not have the best of technology so if you want to help me out and buy a photograph, please contact me by phone or email.

Prices:

$60 for any 8x10 print

$120 for any framed 8x10 print

Custom Orders Possible

However, since I am not making money off of this, please don't feel as though you are boxed in by my prices. I will take any amount as long as the minimum is met.

God Glorified

2007-12-11T10:45:00.000-08:00

The following is the words of Jonathan Edwards, early American theologian.

God is glorified within Himself these two ways: 1. By appearing… to Himself in His own perfect idea [of Himself], or in His Son, who is the brightness of His glory. 2. By enjoying and delighting in Himself, by flowing forth in infinite . . . delight towards Himself, or in his Holy Spirit…So God glorifies Himself toward the creatures also in two ways: 1. By appearing to… their understanding. 2. In communicating Himself to their hearts, and in their rejoicing and delighting in, and enjoying, the manifestations which He makes of Himself…God is glorified not only by His glory’s being seen, but by its being rejoiced in. When those that see it delight in it, God is more glorified than if they only see it. His glory is then received by the whole soul, both by the understanding and by the heart. God made the world that He might communicate, and the creature receive, His glory; and that it might [be] received both by the mind and heart. He that testifies his idea of God’s glory [doesn’t] glorify God so much as he that testifies also his approbation of it and his delight in it.
- Jonathan Edwards

Our Response to God Amidst Decision Making

2007-10-14T14:40:00.000-07:00

Philippians 4:6-7
do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Yesterday I came across this verse and as I read it, I realized how very applicable it was to my life at this point. Stemming from my last post, while I may not need to hang myself up on making a decision, this does not mean I should stop praying about it. Reading Philippians 4:6-7 helped me to realize something beyond the fact that God wants us to come to Him with our requests. What cannot be missed is that Paul states that when we do come to God with requests, that we come to Him with thanksgiving! God wants us to come to Him with thankfulness for what He is doing in our lives. Note that Paul puts no constraints saying to only have thankfulness when everything is going alright. For my life, I might be having some really awesome days where I am just enjoying life, or I might be having really crummy days where I am just wishing the next day would come sooner, but regardless of this, I am to come to God with thankfulness in my heart over all that He is to me. After all, Christ's blood does cover me and that is reason enough for me to come to God with thanksgiving. So as this choice continues to loom in the near future, I will continue to pray about it and in the process, be thankful for all that God is teaching me through this time of waiting.

The Decision Not to Choose (for now)

2007-10-10T12:01:00.001-07:00

I found myself these past two weeks hanging myself up on a decision that has the potential to be life altering. I am ashamed to say that I have been obsessing over this decision more than I should be, even though at different times it seemed eminent that this decision was going to have to be made sooner than I had anticipated. Regardless of this though, I have been giving too much attention to making this decision rather than focusing on what is important in my life at this time. Yes, a decision like moving, is a rather big decision, but to spend time and effort worrying about it at this moment when really, my time and effort should be focused on God, the relationships I have here, and what I do here. This decision of mine will not be an easy one when it comes down to making it, so all I can do is wait and hope on God. I may not know at this specific moment what His will is for my life, but if I continue to reside and renew myself in Him then according to His timing His Will will be revealed (Romans 12:1-2). 1 Peter 3:17 says, "For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong." In You Lord, I wait. Give me strength and patience as I wait on You. (Psalms 27:14)

Recommended sermon: What is the Will of God and How Do We Know It?

Developing A Passion

2007-08-30T14:45:00.000-07:00

One thing I have learned over the past few years, it is that having a passion for being involved in something is not a requirement. A person can become a volunteer for something or other for the simple reason of the organization needing help. Later, that reason may change as the willing soul begins to see the scope of the organization and why it does what it does. Looking back, this has happened to me a number of times, including last night. Around a year ago, I was asked to help out with RUSH (the junior high ministry at my church). I started off just showing up one day a week with the reason being that they needed help because they were short-handed. Little did I realize at that time that I would increase both my involvement and reason for coming. Over time I developed a passion for wanting to see students grow in knowledge of God and what He holds for their lives. I am currently pursuing to be more involved to the point of helping to lead a small group and wanting to lead on some of the many various trips the ministry does. We'll see what this next year holds for me.

Back Here Again

2007-07-17T14:43:00.000-07:00

We all know those times....those times that are rougher than any other. Those times when we are facing something that at the time just seems to be cruel, unusual, and takes forever to go away. Eventually we do get through those times and hopefully we can attribute that it was through God's strength and wisdom, not our own. Although, what's ironic about those times is that just when you think you are finally through the thick of it all and things are going well, something else comes into the scene and boots you right back into the fray. At those times I think to myself, "Hey God, I've already been through this. Why am I back??" I think that God's response goes something like this, "I'm not done teaching you..."

Looking back though at my meager past I cannot help but realize that it is in these times of confusion that God works to teach me something significant. Whether we put our selves in certain situations or God does, it all happens for the glory of God. I believe that He uses these tough situations to bring us to Him in dependence and that through trusting in Him, He uses these "hard times" to teach us something about Him or is showing us something in our lives that needs to change.

Though, it seems that too often we just come to God when we are uncomfortable or unsure of something and not when everything seems to be going our way. When things are swell for us, human nature dictates that we become independent unto ourselves for our own happiness. Hey if we have the money then we can just buy happiness right? No, we cannot. We can only buy into pleasure as long as the money lasts, but even then, happiness is circumstantial. Rather, we should be seeking for joy in God wherever we are in our lives. He can fill the heart with a joy that is not dependent on whatever situations we find ourselves in. If we cannot depend on God period, then how can we be joyful in all that we experience, and even say that we live for Him.

Czech Team '07 Returns

2007-07-14T15:36:00.000-07:00

On Thursday night of this week I went down to good ol' always-seems-to-be-under-construction Sky Harbor airport. My purpose for even going there was for the incoming Czech Team 2007. Almost 3 weeks ago I saw them off as they departed to go to the Czech Republic to host an English Learning / Sports Camp. So after walking around the airport for a bit, I finally found where passengers came out of customs and stood among friends and families of the team. As the team finally came out, I was filled with joy for what they gave of their time and what they accomplished even though I may not know what that all entails at this moment. I didn't interrogate them about what happened (I'll do that later), but from a few things some of them said, it was an awesome experience that may change the course of some of their lives. God is Good and Worthy is He to be Praised. After greeting everyone, I started to head back to the parking garage and on the way there I could barely contain the joy I had for this team and for the Czech students that I know from when I went a year ago. My joy almost had me skipping down the concourse. Why do I feel this way about the Czech Republic (maybe even Eastern Europe), God only knows as it is He who placed the desire in my heart to return to the Czech Republic. Next summer will find me in the Czech Republic (Eastern Europe otherwise) for 3 months with Josiah Venture. It took me a year to realize what God was placing on my heart and how He is growing me in areas I am weak in. Through my weaknesses His glory will be seen. So as I have a year to wait, I continue to find joy in serving Him in RUSH and VI.

Minor adjustment here....a little tweak there

2007-07-10T15:15:00.000-07:00

This past Sunday I attended a meeting of leaders within VI on the future of VI. As I listened to the vision being cast, excitement welled up as I saw what this would mean for VI. Over the next few months, this vision will begin to take shape in the form of a slight reorganization of VI's small groups and the Living Room (mid sized group). Instead of small groups or the Living Room, community groups will form. The difference between what VI has been doing and the idea of these new community groups is that in these new, mixed gender, community groups, people will regularly meet to glorify God in fellowship, support each other, and learn from one another. The hope is that these community groups will go beyond just meeting at some place to discuss something biblical and actually be involved in the surrounding community of Tempe or wherever that group is meeting. The idea is that these groups will regularly be doing outreach in their local communities as well as investing time, wisdom, and prayer in each others lives as they seek after God. Much of this is still up in the air and nothing is quite set in stone yet so prayer is essential as we move through this time of transition.

Church - What is it?

2007-07-07T22:39:00.000-07:00

The following is a post Chris Gonzalez made on his blog earlier this week.

So, this is a bit of a stretch. But I figured I would stay under this week’s iPhone theme:

I had a (lively) discussion with a student in our ministry this afternoon. He was asking me why I didn’t think it was cool to church hop and small group hop. Now, for those of you unfamiliar with the lingo, church hopping is when someone attends multiple churches. He was asking what the problem would be if he attended (regularly) 3 different small groups in our ministry – Monday, Tuesday, Thursday. I told him he needed to put down his shopping bags at the Jesus Fashion Park, hunker down in one group, and dive in to deeper community. His rationale was that he gets and gives different things to different groups. He said he felt it was valid to go to church for “what’s in it for me.”

He says, “Church is formost about my needs. I need community, fellowship, teaching, etc.” I say, “The church needs me. I join a church whose mission I believe in, and I come to give. I recieve as a by-product.”
So, I would love to hear some thoughts.
Is church for me first?
Can church hopping be legit?

If church is about meeting the needs of the immediate congregation, then would that not make those who attend for that purpose selfish? Would that then mean that the church is, in a basic way, wanting itself?

But how then do we define what/who the church is? Well, I think we can agree that the composition of the church goes beyond brick and mortar, and even location. So then the church is the people, more specifically the believers. The church is a community of believers that come together to praise God, give of themselves to bring glory to God. Now when I say “give of themselves”, I am not merely talking about money, but also time, spiritual gifts, skills….ultimately life. The church needs people who live for Christ, love like Christ, putting themselves last instead of first; people who will suffer for the cause of Christ. We are all called to suffer for Christ, no one is exempted.

Likewise, the local church (local community of believers) needs to live for Christ and have their focus be on outreach above that of their own comfort. What is at stake are people’s souls, not how good our butt feels. As a whole I feel that the Christian church here in America has lost sight of the finish line. We have come to put our own comfort, laziness, and likeability above that of God’s calling. We need to realize that if one of our brothers (another church) is suffering, then we need to be there to support it. Change is happening….

I have seen God moving in ministries like VI and have heard great things about what God is doing in other college age ministries surrounding ASU in relation to reaching out to the college community that thrives around ASU and MCC. Beyond the collegian community in VI’s backyard, VI has also been supporting trips to the Czech Republic and Turkey and Kenya, working to bring the truth of Christ’s love to the students there. I have also seen God working to bring about change in Grace Community Church through adopting a community in Kenya (the same one the VI sends people to) and supporting the church there.

So do you “use” church? Or are you part of a church whose mission is to see God known and glorified in the community?

Discussion or Discouragement

2007-06-19T10:08:00.000-07:00

So this morning I found myself actually waking up early to go to a men's bible study group. Typically I do not do so well in a discussion setting as I cannot think of my own opinions quick enough or completely enough to really be worth anything, or at least that is what I think. So as it turns out, this morning turned out to be a discussion on being missional, what that means, and how that affects our lives/actions/conversations. Sadly, I became discouraged when my opinions were confronted. So naturally I ask myself, "Did I clearly communicate my thoughts?" Apparently not because it was taken in a way that I did not intend it to be taken but that is not the point of why I am bringing this up. The real question I should be asking is, "Why did I become discouraged? What are my motives for being here, for giving input?" To give input for the sake of getting a word in edge wise or saying something just because I can is misuse of what knowledge God has filled me with. So anything short of saying something that would give God the glory would be for selfish reasons. Again I ask myself another question, "What is my purpose for coming to this study?" Well, one reason is to grow in understanding while spending time in fellowship with other believers. The other reason is to ultimately be available to be used by God to speak into other people's lives should God lead me to do that. This though goes beyond just this study group because it is applicable to any where and any one we socialize with. Too often I limit myself by confining certain subjects to certain people/places. So I think I'll add that to the list of things I need to work on.

Teen Preachers??

2007-05-05T20:45:00.000-07:00

So tonight I happened to pick up todays newspaper and came across an article entitled "Teen Preachers Reach Out to Younger Peers in Tent Meetings". Upon reading it, I was struck in a weird way. It is awesome to see some young people becoming involved in ministry, but at the same time it scares me for a few reasons. First, it seems to me that they are way to young to be preaching and so without having heard the sermons, I am quite leery of their wisdom and understanding of the passages. This is not to say they are not sound, I just can't be sure from the few excepts the article included. But my major concern is why have kids take on such a high responsibility role when there are plenty of other ways to grow leadership in the generation of tomorrow. To have kids involved in the leadership of a ministry is a great way to grow the leaders of tomorrow, but to have kids take on the full responsibility of a ministry is not in my view the best way of accomplishing spiritual growth in the church. I even have my own doubts about what I might say if I were in a situation like that at this time in my life because the more time I spend with God and in His Word, the more I realize that I really will never comprehend everything there is to know about God.

Goals for the Rest of 2007

2007-04-18T11:10:00.000-07:00

Following the last post, I thought it would be a good idea to decide on some goals to shoot for this year.

Focus my time and energy on my relationship with God
Be a more vocal leader at Grace Community in both VI (college ministry) and RUSH (junior high ministry)
Be bold with my faith in what I believe and in what I say in conversations with people

Knowing When To Let Go

2007-04-18T10:31:00.000-07:00

Our lives are filled with choices, some stressful, some unintuitive, and some painful. When it comes to relationships (or even the possibility of one), it seems to always be that a painful decision is involved. Months ago I found myself in a place that often left me frustrated and confused. Throughout the 1.5 year time span of liking this one girl, I had to endure watching her fall for a friend and then see my friend break it off. In the midst of this I was struggling to figure whether I liked this girl enough to pursue her, and so my mind ended up becoming like a yo-yo in that I kept going back and forth. This was devastating to my health in that I constantly found my self on the verge of just losing it and breaking down. It seemed that I could not let her go completely. Thankfully, this ended a few months ago when God revealed to me what I had been doing. I see now that I was focusing on the hope of a relationship to bring me pleasure and attention from those closest to me. As I look back, I wish I had spent more of that wasted time in the Word with God.

Singing with Hands

2007-01-16T15:55:00.000-08:00

The last week of December found me weathering the St. Louis cold to understand more about God and missionary work. The Urbana ‘06 missions conference took up all of downtown St. Louis and then some, of which I will talk about in following posts. The purpose of this post is to bring to light a thought that had been dwelling in my mind since Urbana. While attending one of the worship sessions, I noticed that for the attending deaf, an American sign translator was provided. A question then occurred to me, “How do deaf people worship?” In my limited scope, I saw worship as words describing what I feel both whether I was saying them out loud or in my mind. Basically it all comes down to asking how deaf people think. Do they think in words, or in hand motions, or both? Trying to wrap my mind around the thought of expressive, descriptive worship in hand motions just baffles me. I am not saying that it is impossible. I believe that there is no constraint to worship so long as it is a persons expressive feelings towards God’s love and provision. Don’t get me wrong here, this is only the tip of the worship iceberg as worship it self goes far beyond that which is said here. What this post all comes down to is the realization that worship goes deeper than just what can be said with words through song, but all the way down to the state of our hearts. Whether we worship with our voices or hands, it is trivial in comparison to that our our hearts. I may not understand how worship works in relation to other people, but I know that God knows the conditions of our hearts.

Redo

2007-01-16T15:48:00.000-08:00

Originally I had another blog but couldn't import some of those posts into this one. Even with that problem, this should work out better because I was going off on tangents away from the purposes of what I had originally intended for that blog. So with that said I start afresh with this blog.