You've Got A Friend In Me.

Please bear with me for a little bit as I shake the rust off my writing skills. As the younger generation would say, “It’s been a minute.” I don’t think that I have written a blog for many years now (aside from our annual family Christmas letter, and shameless plug, let me know if you want added to the list). It’s not that I stopped writing because I didn’t enjoy it, or that I stopped learning and growing in God’s Word. Life just got busy. The last one that I wrote was in March 2019. Now, not that you care to hear my excuses, but here they are anyway… Since March 2019, I got married, changed careers from social work to farming, had not one, not two, but three beautiful baby girls, bought and remodeled a farmhouse, started working part-time at Berean, built and now operate a commercial hog barn. The list goes on and on, but I think you can get the point. I am pretty confident that you get the point because I am sure life has also been busy for you. It’s easy to slip into the busyness of life and not look back. To slowly but surely lose your margins on time. Next thing you know you’ve spent the last five years working, spending time with your family, doing good things, but not really resting. It feels like you do all of that in a rush. Now, there are times for vacations and times to relax, but those often go by too quickly because we’re already thinking, planning, and anticipating what we need to do as soon as we return home. Now, I have to be honest with you because I could continue on this topic of the busyness of life and not having margins in your time and days, but it’s honestly not what I intended to write about (believe it or not). So, I guess I will save that one for the next five-year blog (just kidding, hopefully, it isn’t that long). I think the rust has been knocked off enough to get into what I actually felt led to write about… 

Through the busyness of life recently, God has been impressing on me the importance of community and friendships. (Groundbreaking topic, right?) Community is something that we all have, but I think more often than not, we don’t always get everything out of it that we should. (For that matter, I don’t think we usually put as much into it as we should either.) This idea of community has come up in numerous sermon series, youth lessons, young adult studies, and life experiences lately. It goes without saying, the community that we have around us is important. Now, normally I would have a specific Bible verse or passage that the Lord used to speak to me or to encourage me or challenge me. This time, there are sooo many verses or passages that I could give as examples, it’s hard to choose just one. A main one though, that keeps returning to me is found in Luke 5:17-26. Take a minute to read it. 

Amazing, right?? Picture it. Jesus is packed into this home, full of grown adults, they are listening to every word he has to say. These people have come from all of the local towns, so it wasn’t just a small gathering. There was no room to get in the house, no room to even stand outside the door. It was impossible to get in. Now, imagine a group of guys carrying a friend on a stretcher, trying to get in this house. Obviously, it was not going to happen. Even for one of them to let go of the stretcher and push their way into the home was unlikely. So they gave up, they said sorry, pal, you just wait out here while we try to get as close as we can so we can hear what he has to say… No, they persevered. I would love to be a listening ear on that conversation between the friends. I imagine it would go something like this, “What do we do now? We can’t get inside!” “Well…we could try the roof?” “The roof?? Are you serious? How are we going to get him on the roof? And what are we going to do once we are on the roof? What if we all fall through? Then we are all going to need to be healed!” “I mean, Jesus is kind of known for that…that is why we are here…besides, what’s the worst that could happen?” They knew the man inside had the power to heal, they had heard of the miraculous things that he had already done. So they got creative and took to the roof. Now, try to imagine carrying a stretcher up onto a roof that I am sure did not have the easiest access and then having to make a hole without falling through. Not a simple task! But they did it. They cared for their friend so much that they were willing to put themselves (and everyone in the home for that matter) in danger. They trusted that getting their friend in front of Jesus was so worth it that they did the difficult thing. They were willing to go to extreme lengths for their friend because they knew Jesus was his only hope. 

You can read the rest of the story for yourself, but here’s a spoiler, Jesus heals the man. His buddies are still up on the roof looking down in and Jesus tells him to get up and walk out of the house! What an incredible display of friendship. The company that you keep is so important for your well-being, not just mentally and emotionally, but spiritually. This guy had been paralyzed with no hope to walk again until his friends brought him to Jesus. Are you picking up on what is important here? We need a community that is going to go the extra mile in order to get us closer to Jesus. We need friends who will courageously lay us at the feet of Jesus, with the expectation that He knows what is best for us. We are not meant to do life alone, no matter what season of life you may be in. 

It has been neat for me to witness the truth of this message shared in a variety of different settings, in front of people from different walks of life. To the youth and younger generations, this message really emphasizes the importance of having good, Christian friends who will help guide you in the right direction, making decisions based on the truth of the Gospel. For the college-aged generation, it is a very similar lesson but also adds depth to the idea of searching out those friends who can and will carry you when you need it. There is a deeper connection to the idea of having a smaller circle, so to speak, when it comes to friends. For myself, and others in the young adult or young families category, I connect with this message on a different level. I imagine my children as the ones who need to be brought before Jesus. I need the help of my wife and our close friends to come alongside me and pray for them, raise them up in the way they should go, and give me Godly wisdom on how to handle difficult parenting decisions and circumstances. For the church, it looks like bearing one another's burdens, practically meeting the needs of those in the congregation, being the body of Christ. The truth of the message can be applied in so many different facets of life. 

However, as true as it is and in all the numerous ways that it can be applied, there is still a part of it that I feel often gets overlooked. It is the idea that we, as individuals, need to do our part in the lifting and carrying of others as well. We oftentimes relate to the paralyzed man, being the person who needs the help, the prayers, and the healing, but we underemphasize being the friend who diligently, carefully, and boldly prays, encourages, and disciples our friends. We love having the help but are slow to be the help. We should be daily lifting our spouses, children, and friends up in prayer, placing them at the feet of Jesus. We should be quick to lend a helping hand, a warm meal, and an open door to those who need it. If we want to have the type of friendships and community that help meet our needs, then we need to be the type of friend that does those same things for others. 

If you have made it this far, thank you. I mentioned that it has been a while since I have actually sat down and intentionally taken the time to write out what God has laid on my heart. If I am being honest, this short blog has taken me days to complete and even longer to actually post publicly. It has been a process of finding moments in each day to write a little bit at a time. I apologize for some of the rambling and lack of coherence in parts of it, but I hope that it is an encouragement to you. I hope and pray that you have friends in your life who will take you closer to Jesus, and I also hope that you are the friend who is bringing those in your life closer to Jesus as well.

The Lord Provides.

The Lord provides. I can't tell you how many times I said this phrase during the past week and half. We serve such an incredible God, who is able to meet all of our needs and do so in ways that we cannot even begin to understand or comprehend (Ephesians 3:20). 

It all started last Friday, the hours before we were scheduled to fly to Haiti. We get a text from Pastor Steve saying that our flights have been cancelled and to pray. This was already after we had debated even going on the trip because of the civil unrest that had been going on in the country. However, it had seemed that the Lord had provided, in numerous ways, for us to go. So needless to say, this came as a curveball to us all. My immediate thoughts and prayers were, "Lord, if this is you slamming the door close on us going, please let us humbly accept that. Give us the discernment to make a wise choice that is not our seeking to please our selfish desires." Within hours, the Lord provided. We got another text saying that we were able to get new flights and to report to the church a couple hours later than originally scheduled. Come to find out, these new flights were cheaper, left later in the morning (meaning more sleep, praise the Lord), and would get us to Haiti at the same time. We were also refunded in full for the flights that were canceled! Wow, God! Thank you for making it clear that You still wanted us to go to Haiti! It was almost like he was rewarding us for our faith and for seeking to be his hands and feet in Haiti (Hebrews 11:6). This was just the beginning of the Lord's provision. 

Throughout the week, the Lord provided for us more times than I can count. He was (and is) so, so good to us. I would have to write a book in order to tell you about everything that he did, so I will just tell you about a couple that really touched my heart. After we all made it safely to Pignon, along with all of our luggage and supplies (the Lord provided), we were able to get to work on Sunday after church. Initially, we were planning on only having to demo the roof of the church in Savanette, as well as one or two walls. However, as is custom in Haiti, plans changed. After that first demo day, we learned that the church now wanted to have all of the interior walls knocked down as well. This meant demoing seven to eight concrete block walls, along with a two-foot tall stage/platform area. Again, after the first couple days now, I was thinking, "No way. No way can we get all of this done. We have to take down all these walls AND get the new roof on? Not happening." I should really stop doubting God and the plans that he has. These thoughts that I was having were really, honestly probably true. WE couldn't do all of that, not by ourselves and in our own strength at least. But again, the Lord provides. We had some of the best Haitian workers working with us this year that we have ever had. We hired seven Haitians to work alongside of us for the first three days. After that, we kept four of them on the work site to help us the following couple days. I have always seen good work ethic in the Haitians that we work alongside, but this year, I witnessed them work harder than ever. The Lord provided us with the manpower, energy, strength, and tools we needed to get the job done. Not only that, but He provided us with safety while on the worksite. Even with all of the demolition going on at one time, no one got hit with flying debris or anything of the sort. He kept us safe on all of the ladders we used and all the boards we sat on and walked on putting the roof up. He gave us strength to raise the tresses without any hitches. He gave us energy to work long days in the beautiful, hot, and sunny Haitian weather. The Lord provided. 

On the medical side of things, the Lord also provided. For the first time ever, we had a surgeon come on the trip with us. He was able to make some good connections at the hospital in Pignon early in the week. On Thursday, they did not take as many people with them to the medical clinic as they usually did. That left them with a couple extra seats in the pickup on the way home. So, for the first time ever, the team decided to take a couple women back with them from the clinic, to the hospital for an x-ray for one and eye drops for the other. The Lord provided those extra seats and the connections that had been made earlier in the week. While at the hospital, the x-ray took hours longer than expected, but guess what, that was the Lord providing because as they were finally about to leave, they heard some commotion in the courtyard. Two motos had collided head on, each with three passengers on board. One man had already died and they were pulling the others out of the back of this pickup truck. Immediately, those medical professionals that were there from our team jumped into action to help in any way they could. After multiple hours, they had helped saved the life of one of the young man and had stitched up multiple head lacerations on the others. Although this was very traumatic and emotionally straining, it was still the Lord providing. 

Now, as I am writing this, I am sitting in the hospital with the love of my life. I would be lying to you if I said that it was easy for me to believe that the Lord will provide for this situation. I know that sounds foolish, right? After everything that He has done for us this past week, why would He not provide through this now? He cares for the birds of the air and the flowers of the field, how much more does he care for his children (Luke 6)? Now hear me out, I know that He is going to provide, but I have to choose to believe that. I have to consciously make that choice to have faith in His promises, to have faith in His goodness, to have faith in His planning, His timing, and His purpose. I believe that He will provide. I have to look past the current situation, the pain that Miranda is in, the tears that are being shed because there doesn't seem to be much that brings relief, and the discouragement of not knowing what is wrong. I have to look past that and believe that God sees the big picture, not just the snapshot of now. I have to remind myself that the Lord will provide. I know this, I believe this, but God also has his own way of reminding me. 

I have seen God reminding me that He will provide (because He always provides) in one very specific way while here. On Tuesday, Miranda came into the ER and after a few hours, the medical staff here thought best to admit her for the night. Originally, she was going to be in room 302. However, as they were taking her up, we were told it had been changed to 316. Now, you can't tell me that God doesn't have a sense of humor because who else would just change her room number to 316? In case you aren't aware or are missing the connection, 316 is a reference to the Lord providing. In fact, it's in reference to the Lord's ultimate provision, His provision for us for eternity. 

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

I couldn't help but to be reminded of this every time I walked into this room. It was a constant reminder that God has already provided for us for all of eternity, not just in this life! Those who believe in Him will have eternal life! No death, no life, no angels, no demons, no sickness, nothing on this earth can separate us from His love (Romans 8:38-39). Needless to say, it was a gracious reminder from the Lord that He will provide. Always. Forever. No matter what. Trust in Him. Trust in His promises. The Lord provides. 

Update: Guess what y'all? The Lord provides. We now have answers as to what has been causing all of the pain! Miranda has some tiny ulcers in her stomach, but the main source of her pain is coming from an ulcer that has formed a ring in the lining of her esophagus. Now, the doctors have a more targeted approach to combatting the pain and discomfort. After four long days and three long nights, we should finally be taking her back home tomorrow afternoon! Thank you all for your prayers, love and words of encouragement! 

 

Woah, We're Halfway There.

First of all, if you didn't sing the title of this blog in your head, I'm a little disappointed. Go ahead and look up Livin' on a Prayer by Bon Jovi. 

Anyways, it's true, I am at the halfway point of my summer in Haiti. Technically, I'm at the halfway point of my time here by myself before Berean's youth team arrives, but I'm not going to ruin a good title. Time has gone by so quick! Some of the days have been slow, but the weeks have been fast. I have been to a total of 48 churches so far, which is just two short of how many I planned on visiting altogether! At this rate, I'm visiting 12 churches a week. I am aiming to make it to another 30-40, although Jephthe believes I can make it to all 121 churches. I hope that he is right! The visits have been going so great. Personally, they are very humbling for me and I have been so appreciative of the opportunity that God has blessed me with to do His work. At each visit, I take pictures of the church and the leader. Then, I have a list of questions that I ask them, with the help of Elisee, a friend of mine who I hired to translate for me. At the end, I ask them for three ways that I can be praying for their church and three ways that I can be praying for them personally. It has been a joy for me to see how encouraged the leader is after the interview because they know that they aren’t forgotten. Almost every leader has asked that I pray for the financial situation of the church, but also for their family as well, because they don’t make enough to support themselves through the ministry. Many of the leaders also do not have their own housing and ask that I pray about that as well. Jephthe’s ministry here in Haiti is such an encouragement to me because I see the impact that these churches are having for the kingdom. The churches have anywhere from 50 to 400 people in attendance each Sunday, with the largest church having 10,000-15,000 people!

This past week, I was extremely humbled and heartbroken at the same time. As I was finishing up an interview with a pastor, I asked him how I could be praying for him. Pastor Metys spoke up and said that we need to see his house because he lives in a hen house. So we got up and went out the back of the church to his "house." My jaw dropped. He literally lived in a 12ft x 6ft shack that had chicken wire covered with cardboard for walls. There were two mattresses, separated by sheets hanging from the tin roof. I couldn't believe it. Oh, did I mention that he has a pregnant wife and six children that also live there with them? I was at a loss for words. I was afraid to start praying because I knew that I would get emotional. But I prayed. I'm thankful that God is omniscient and knows what we need before we say it, or even think it. I'm thankful that he knows the desires of my heart and that he knows how I felt for that family. I'm thankful that even though I didn't know how to pray for them, he still knew what they needed. That was a tough visit, but I am thankful for it because of how God met me in that moment and I knew that even if I didn't have all the words to say in my prayer, he would still know all that was on my heart and mind. What a sweet, sweet thing it is to feel the presence of God in such a moment.

I'm thankful that God is allowing me to experience moments like that. Moments that break my heart for his people. Moments that make me realize how fortunate I am. Moments that make me see what true dependence on God looks like. Moments that allow me to see just how important this work is. God has blessed me to be a blessing to others. In that moment, I was able to show that family that God sees them, he hears our prayers, they aren't forgotten, they aren't abandon. I could encourage them with truth. God is not finished with them yet! Better days are coming! I pray that they know that. That they are encouraged. I pray that God continues to break my heart for what breaks his. I pray that he continues to show me how good he is, how faithful he is.

Today was encouraging because Kristin, the other American here who has been working at the orphanage in La Coste for Jephthe, and I were able to bring all the boys from La Coste to the clinic to be seen by the doctor. He was super sweet with them all and really did a good job. I was reminded of how much God cares for the orphans and the widows today. I got to hold a sweet little boy in my arms for hours as he slept. I picked him up because he had been crying and almost immediately his cry turned to a little whimper and then stopped completely. He just wanted to be seen, to be held, to be cared for. Sometimes, I feel like that's how I can be with God. I just want him to hold me, to reassure me that he is bigger than all of my problems, all of my failures, all of my doubts. I want to be reminded that I'm not alone in this, I have a Heavenly Father who loves me, cares for me, who hears me and is in control. Children are such a great reminder of how gentle God can be, how compassionate he can be, and how comforting he can be. Matthew 19:14, "Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.'" What a perfect thing to be reminded of in a country full of young children running around. 

This trip has been such a learning experience for me. I cannot say thank you enough to all of you who have been praying for me, who supported me financially, and who have sent me words of encouragement. I am so thankful the time that I am getting to spend here. God has been deepening my relationship with him, growing my relationship with my friends here, and revealing to me so many new things. I am excited for the second half! 

So far, I have felt very healthy and have not had many problems at all. Praise God! You can also thank God with me that I have not had any problems or accidents on the moto! But, if you would, please continue to pray for strength, energy, health, and safety for this second half of the trip. As the number of churches I visit continues to grow, so does the distance to travel to get to them. Pray that God would continue to bless me with stability and control on the moto. Finally, I ask that you would continue to pray for my spiritual growth, that God would continue to show me new things and teach me new lessons through His Word and through my experiences here. I think that it is only appropriate to end with this, I'm livin' on a prayer! 

Don't Get Distracted.

          This week, I'm going to switch gears a little and not talk about Radical because of something that happened the other day that God used to speak to me. I hope that this story of how God used something so simple to teach me encourages you.

          Sunday evening, Miranda and I went on a hike with Scott and Bethany. We were hiking through the trails along the Clearfork Reservoir (which by the way, if you have never hiked here I highly recommend it, especially while the sun is starting to set). As we were on our way back to the car, the sun was setting over the water, painting a beautiful image of oranges, pinks, purples and golds. It was so beautiful. Sunsets are one of my favorite natural works of art. Anyways, as we were walking, Miranda tripped over a tree root in the path. After she regained her balance, we both laughed, and she said, "I wasn't even paying attention. I was looking at how pretty it is!" I smiled and agreed, but inside I heard the Holy Spirit speaking to me.
          I allowed it to all sink in over the next couple days and spent today unpacking all that was in that moment. I am going to try to break it down part by part.
          Let's begin with the path. I'm sure you can guess that this path represents life, more specifically, our walk in life. There is a vast array of paths that a person can take in life, all leading to one of two places, heaven or hell. For those of us who have confessed with our mouths that Jesus is Lord and believe in our hearts that God has raised him from the dead, then we are saved (Romans 10:9). Our path will lead to heaven. However, there is a false assumption that just because we are saved, our path will not have any obstacles in it. This, my friends, is not true. We can expect that there will be obstacles of all shapes and sizes. This leads us into the next part, the obstacles.
          On our path as Christians, we will face many obstacles. On the path that we were hiking, there were small obstacles like tree roots, rocks, puddles, branches and things like that. There were also larger obstacles such as tree branches and trees that had fallen across the path. In our lives, these obstacles can be habitual sin, arguments, failed tests, changed plans, getting in trouble, losing a job, divorce, sickness and disease, the death of a loved one or anything else that acts as a speed bump or roadblock in our path walk with Christ. If we aren't careful, these obstacles, small and large, can alter the direction of our paths. They can cause us to lose sight of where we are going. In some cases, we can get so caught up with what is in front of us, we aren't willing to take the detour that God has opened up for us. We want to try to demolish the brick wall in front of us with our own hands or cut up the tree that has fallen in our way with a hand saw, rather than listening to God and following his footsteps around the wall or tree. In my experiences, these alternate routes have been the times when I have seen God do incredible things in my life. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." In other words, when come to these obstacles in our walk, trust in God to take you where he wants to, even if it may not make sense. By submitting to his way, what may seem like a winding road to us, is the straight path that God has set out for your life.
          Finally, let's talk about the sunset. Now the sunset didn't do anything wrong in this story. It was just minding its own business, looking all pretty out over the water. However, it still distracted all of us, Miranda just happened to be the one who tripped. The sunset represents distractions in our lives that cause us to lose sight of where we are going. These distractions, like the sunset, are not always bad things. In fact, they can be really good things! For example, a significant other, your friends, your job, a hobby, money, music and other things like that can be good things to have in your life. There is nothing inherently wrong with those things, but when they become our main focus, then there is a problem. What happens when you try to walk in a straight line with your eyes fixed on something to your right? You can't walk straight, can you? You begin to walk towards what you are looking at. The same thing happens in life. When these distractions become our main focus, we begin to walk off our path towards them, rather than keeping on the path towards God. What lies off the path? Even more obstacles to get caught up in. Friends, this is what the devil is trying to get us to do. He wants us to get distracted, whether it is by a good thing or a bad thing and wander off the path. 1 Peter tells us that "the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." The devil wants us to get distracted, to wander off the path into the brush where he is waiting. However, if we fix our eyes and our minds on heavenly things, we will be less likely to become distracted (Colossians 3:2), and better able to stay on the path that God has for us.
          For those of you who do not have a relationship with Jesus Christ, I pray that God would use these words to draw you to Him. If you want to know more about what I have written or how you can begin a new life with Jesus, please do not hesitate to reach out to me. You are never too far off the path for God to rescue you.
          I want to close by encouraging you to run the race marked out for you. Fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith (Hebrews 12:1-2). I think that the verse from the hymn Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing perfectly sums up what I have written.

O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I’m constrained to be!
Let Thy goodness, like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.

My Inability.

Last week I shared about how all people, no matter their background, are commanded by Jesus Christ to go and make disciples. I also hinted a little bit at my own doubts in preparing for this ten week trip to Haiti. This week, I want to be even more vulnerable with you and share more about those doubts and insecurities that I have been experiencing. However, despite these doubts and insecurities, I know that I am serving a God who is bigger, stronger, and able to take my fears and turn them into opportunities to bring glory to himself.

“God actually delights in exalting our inability. He intentionally puts his people in situations where they come face to face with their need for him. In the process he powerfully demonstrates his ability to provide everything his people need in ways they could never have mustered up or imagined. And in the end, he makes much of his own name.”

― David Platt

How refreshing it is to be reminded that our God is able to turn all of our inabilities into opportunities. Last week, I shared briefly about how l find myself doubting my abilities and adequacy to share the Gospel and make disciples because I am not smart enough, educated enough or old enough. At the root of all those doubts, though, is that I don’t think I’m good enough. I’m a sinner. I make mistakes. I mess up. I make bad choices. I have a not-so-spotless past. I get nervous in front of people. I’m awkward. I’m not the best speaker. I don’t have a Bible degree or an education from a Christian school. So why, God, would you choose to send me to Haiti on this trip? Why not someone else who is better qualified? “God actually delights in exalting our inability.” ...but. “He intentionally puts his people in situations where they come face to face with their need for him.” ...oh. Okay, God.

This quote was a breath of fresh air. I am not able but that’s okay. God is able. In fact, He is more than able. Ephesians 3:20 says, “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us…” He can do far more than I can even imagine. I heard a quote other day that went like this, “God doesn’t call the qualified, God qualifies the called.” I may not be qualified, but I am called. I may not be able, but God is. The amount of peace and joy that I find in knowing that God is able, despite how I feel, despite if I think I am qualified or not. The more that I rest in the fact that I can rely on God to meet my needs and accomplish his work through me, the more excited I become. I get excited thinking about all the ways that God can be glorified this summer, all the ways that God can do things through me that I never thought possible, all the ways that God can use someone like me to bring himself glory. Praise God because he is able!

This is exciting as well because I can boast in nothing other than Jesus Christ and his divine power. A passage that sums up how I feel is found in 1 Corinthians 1:26-31. It says, “For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, ‘Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.’”

As if that passage was not enough, I leave you with this final verse that reassures me of the ability of God to turn my inability into opportunity, 1 Thessalonians 5:24, “He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.” Rest assured brothers and sisters, if you are feeling called by God to go do something for Him, but you feel like you aren’t capable, just remember that He, the Lord, is faithful to provide and see you through.

Thank you for taking the time to read my rambling. I appreciate all of your prayers and kind words as I prepare for my trip this summer. If you feel led to give financially, you can click here and it will take you to my GoFundMe page. Thank you and may God bless you!

Be Radical

Each trip to Haiti, we are asked to read a book as part of our morning devotions and then we discuss what we have read during our nightly meetings. This past trip, we read the book Radical, by David Platt. Now, we have read this book on a previous trip, but that was probably five years ago, so it was good to read it again. 

I would like to take some time to share with you some quotes from this book that really resonated with me, especially with my 10-week trip to Haiti on the horizon. My plan is to share with you four or five different quotes over the next few weeks.

“Regardless of what country we live in, what skills we possess, what kind of education we have, or what kind of salary we make, Jesus has commanded each of us to make disciples, and this is the means by which we will impact the world. Indeed, Jesus has invited us to join with him in the surprisingly simple journey of spreading the gospel to all nations by spending our lives for the good of others and the glory of God.”

― David Platt

         This quote really resonated for a couple of reasons. The first half of the first sentence grabbed my attention because it includes everyone, by not breaking down into race or ethnicity. Also, a lot of times I find myself doubting my abilities and my adequacy to share the Gospel and make disciples. I’ll think I’m not smart enough, educated enough, old enough or have enough life experience to do it. But that’s not the case and it is Satan telling me those things. I know this because 1 Timothy 4:12 says, “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” Those doubts that I have are just excuses that I cannot let myself believe.

         The second half of that sentence is just as compelling. Jesus has commanded us to go and make disciples. He did not suggest it, he did not mention it in passing, he commanded it. By doing this, we will impact the world. I don’t about you, but I’m always dreaming of what it would be like to change the world, to make it a better place. Here is my chance. Here is your chance. Go and make disciples.

         The last part of the quote is rather simple. Join with Jesus on this journey of making disciples by living not for yourself, but for others, bringing glory to God. It doesn’t matter who you are, what you do, what you make, or where you live. Once your life has been changed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ and you begin a relationship with him, you are given the power of the Holy Spirit, the same Spirit that rose Jesus from the grave (Romans 8:11). You need not be afraid or timid to share the same Good News that you received.

         This whole quote encouraged me because it was affirmation that what I am planning to do with my time in Haiti is worthwhile. I am laying down my doubt at the cross of Christ and saying “Yes, Lord, I’ll go.” I am obeying Him who created me for good works. I do not need to be afraid.

         Thank you, Lord, for saving me and calling me out into the water. I pray that You would strengthen me and draw me closer to You during this time.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. I ask that you please keep me in your prayers during this time. If you would like to help financially, click here. Thank you and God bless you.

Made New.

2/7/2017

II Corinthians 6:17-21

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

As I sit here in a crowded Panera, watching the rain drizzle down outside, I become blatantly aware of my inner being. I feel as if the weather today largely represents my emotions the past couple weeks. Down. Dark. Damp. Dreary. Discomforting. This is not the Wyatt I know. This is not the Wyatt I want to be. But, nonetheless, this is the Wyatt I have been. It is no one’s fault but my own. I have allowed myself to wallow in my thoughts. I have limited myself to only negative thinking. I have tried to solve everyone else’s problems but my own. I have lost focused. I have become complacent. I have believed the lies that I have to stay here, that I have done this to myself, that I don’t deserve anything better because of the mistakes I've made. To be completely honest, I’ve ignored God’s leading. I've ignored his promises. I’ve ignored His Word. I’ve ignored what I know to be true. I’ve held onto my desires, rather than seeking His. Again, to no one’s fault but my own. Looking back at the past few weeks, one theme has been evident through it all. Forgiveness. God’s forgiveness. Our forgiveness. My forgiveness. Now I can forgive other people pretty well, that is usually not a problem for me. I’m not usually one to hold grudges or anything like that (I’m not saying I'm perfect in this area, I can still improve but in comparison. Let me go on). Where I struggle, though, is accepting and believing I am forgiven and am able to forgive myself. I’m my own biggest critic. I frustrate myself to no end. I try to do things on my own, in my own strength. Surprise, that doesn’t work. I can’t do this life on my own or in my own strength. Period. I need God. I need the Holy Spirit. In my devotions today, I was in II Corinthians. I reread a passage that we had discussed in depth at Bible the past couple weeks. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” I am a new creation! I’m not my past mistakes. I’m not the person I used to be. I’m none of that. I am a new creation in Christ! Oh, how glorious! “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them.” To God be the glory. Silly, Wyatt, you can’t do any of this on your own, it is all from God! He reconciled, restored friendly relations between (thanks, Google), us to him through sending his son to die on the cross for us! He did that! He desired us that much to do that! He is not holding my sin against me! He sees his son in me and that is it! I do not have to dwell in those feelings like I have been. I can move on. I can learn from my mistakes and become better because of them. According to II Peter chapter 1, I have been given everything I need to live a godly life. I have been given these things from, guess who, God! Not myself. Also in II Peter, it says, “… he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.” Did you read that? Through these great and precious promises that he has given us, we can participate in divine nature because we have escaped the corruption in the world. We have this ability and it is one that I have been neglecting. I’ve allowed my desires to keep me trapped in the corruption. Each day is a battle between flesh and spirit. Each day is a choice to love God or love my flesh. Each day, with help from the Holy Spirit, I can choose to live and believe the great and precious promises of God, not the lies of this world. It is my challenge to me and to you, if you struggle with these same things, to live in the light that we are no longer slaves to sin, to live in the light that we are new creations in Christ. “The old has gone, the new is here!”

“You are more than the choices that you've made,

You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,

You are more than the problems you create,

You've been remade.”

-          “You Are More” by Tenth Avenue North 

Endure It.

1/14/2017
“So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” – I Corinthians 10:12-13

This is a passage of scripture that I have heard hundreds of times. It’s been told to me and I've given it to others as well. In fact, I have even given a short little message to our youth group about it before. However, as I was reading it today, a couple things struck me. (Side note: I love how you can read certain verses and passages a hundred times over and think you have it down and then the Holy Spirit just enlightens you and opens your eyes to something on the hundred and first time reading it. God is so cool.) First, I was reminded to never become so secure in where I am standing that I think I have it all together. We must always, “Be alert and of sober mind,” because “the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (I Peter 5:8). Often times, in my life, the times when I think I am doing really well, are when the devil hits me the hardest and I’m not ready for it. So don’t get complacent. Secondly, I love that Paul encourages us by saying that we aren’t alone. We aren’t the only one facing this temptation or that temptation. “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind.” This was really encouraging to me because most of the time, I feel like I’m the only one who struggles with certain temptations. But I was reminded and reassured that is not the case. As Christians, we do not have to go through pain and struggles and temptation alone. We are called to lift one another up in prayer to be there for one another, helping and strengthening our brothers and sisters. The beauty of being a part of the body of Christ is that we never have to go through life alone. Thirdly and quickly, I was reminded and encouraged that no matter what I’m up against, no matter how strong the temptation, with Christ, I can bear it. I can get through it. He will not give me more than I can handle. How great of a thought that all those times we face something that we think there is no way we can do it or get through it, God says we can. Now, this is when things got interesting for me as I read this passage. “But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” How many times have you heard someone share that God will give you a way out, an escape from your temptation? I know whenever I have heard someone telling me this or when I've told it to other people, we always stop there, “He will also provide a way out.” Period. We don’t finish the verse, “so that you can endure it” (emphasis added). I read this today and it stopped me in my tracks. Endure it? Wait a minute; I thought he gave us a way out? Doesn’t that mean we don’t have to deal with it? Can’t we just pass over it or skip through it? Why does it say endure it? Google (don’t you love Google) defines endure like this: “1. suffer (something painful or difficult) patiently. 2. remain in existence; last.” What are you saying, Wyatt? Good question. I think a lot of times we read this verse and when we are struggling or facing temptation, we or someone else might pray this verse over you or share it with you to encourage you that God will give you a way out. But that’s it, we don’t finish the verse. So we build up a false sense of what should happen or what God will do. We just assume that we will look up and see a red “Exit” sign and that’s it, an easy way out. We get upset with God if that’s not the case. “Where’s my help, God? Why did I fall into this temptation? Where was my way out?” Read the rest of the verse! “So that you can endure it.” His way out may not be completely avoiding the temptation. It may be a friend who enters into the situation with you to help you through it. It may be a book or a quote or a verse that speaks to you and encourages you through it. It may be a change of perspective about the situation. It could be any number of things, friends, but I’m convinced that it is not always going to be an easy-button exit. When are we ever told that the Christian life would be easy? So why should we expect an easy way out of our temptations? Now, I’m not denying God’s miracle working ability or doubting his providential ways. Maybe in your life, He has given you an easy way out, praise God for that, but let’s not think that that will always be the case. Let’s be encouraged and evaluate our struggles and circumstances and see if maybe God has given us a way out, “so that we can endure whatever temptations or struggles we are facing. 

Personal Notes.

9/1/2016

Reading: Acts 17 & 18

Acts 18: 9 & 10 – “One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: ‘Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.”

Don’t be discouraged, don’t stay silent, God is always working and we are in HIS hands. To live is Christ and to die is gain (Philippians 1:21).

Do I really live my life this way? Do I really see dying as gain? Do I live my life as if it is Christ’s? Do I do all things to and for HIS glory? Do I openly share the Gospel? Is evangelism my top priority? Do I actively try to bring the Good News into every conversation and relationship? Do I devote myself to prayer? Do I spend time every day in the Word? Do I put my time with Jesus before everything else? Do I even make time for Him? What am I pursuing? How do my actions, my thoughts, my life reflect my relationship with Christ? What keeps me from following Him wholeheartedly? What am I scared of? Why do I sit silent? Why do I not share this life-changing and life-saving news? Am I afraid of failure? Is it failure if I they don’t accept it or reject it? Or is it failure if I don’t even share it? Am I afraid of what it may cost? Am I afraid what they may think of me? Am I afraid of what God may call me into? Am I afraid of what the Holy Spirit may convict me of? Am I too in love with my sins to give them up? Am I too in love with being comfortable and content with my life as it is, rather than letting it go to experience all that God has for me?

These are the questions that need answered. These are the questions that I really need to be honest with myself about. These are the questions, that no matter how much they cut to my core, no matter how uncomfortable they make me feel, no matter how much they convict me and challenge me to change, to give up my life for the sake of Christ, I need to answer.

Lord, Jesus, I need you now. I need your strength. I need your patience. I need your guidance. I need your boldness. I need your humility. I need your forgiveness. I need your conviction. I need your discipline. I need your persistence and perseverance. Lord, I need you now more than ever. Please come and help me be honest with myself. Help me to be real with myself. What is this life about? It’s not about me. It’s about you. It’s all about You. Come, Lord Jesus and wreck my life with the truth of Your Word and bring me out of this self-satisfying life, into a life that is dedicated and devoted to growing, learning, and sharing about You, the one and only thing that really matters.

Pure Joy.

7/1/2016

When you find yourself between a rock and a hard place, what is your initial response? When you’re face to face with struggle, trials and tribulations, pain, hurt, doubt, how do you respond?

What do you do? Do you say things like, “I wish I could just fast forward through this?” or “What did I do to deserve this?” Maybe you ask God why he is doing this or allowing this to happen.

All too often are initial responses to struggles and to testing trails is to question them, to get mad or frustrated with them. But why is it that it’s not until after we go through it, that we look back and say, “Oh, now I see, God. Now I get why I had to go through that.” Why can’t we respond that way during it? Did God tell us that we won’t face trials? Did He say it would be an easy life? I think there is a reason that we are told to “rejoice always” and “pray continually,” multiple times in the Bible. Life is hard. Life sucks sometimes. Life can knock you down, it can throw you a curveball when you’re thinking fastball, and it can throw you one up in, knocking you back off the plate. Just when you think you have it figured out, something goes wrong, something doesn’t go the way you thought it would. The question is, how do you respond?

I’m guilty of letting it get the best of me all too often. I get angry, I get frustrated, I get depressed. But now, I’m challenging myself, and you, to choose joy. James 1:2-4, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” Consider it what?! Pure joy? God you can’t be for real? There’s no way. That’s too hard. You don’t understand what happened.

Yes, consider it pure joy, child, because I am perfecting you. I am doing more inside of you than you could ever ask or imagine. I am refining you through the flame.

That’s my challenge to you and to me. Consider it pure joy.

“For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.”

- II Corinthians 4:6-12