Dec 18, 2005 - 12:13 AM
This evening I was reading through some of my past journal entries (personal journal). God gave me encouragement from the past. I believe that it is important to remember where we have been and look to where He is taking us.
October 20, 2005…”A great deal of fear has been in my life for the last several months…He has reminded me of His power this morning: Mark 4:35-41. During the storms of life, why am I afraid? Why do I have no faith? Is the God of the calm sea not the same God of the storm? Is He not all powerful? Lord, help me take comfort in knowing as I walk in your ways, I can walk in faith- even during the storms of life.

Dec 05, 2005 - 01:02 AM
Do you ever get disgusted with the mediocrity in your life and in the world around you? People always tell me, “I admire you greatly for going to Nepal…your giving so much up.” Although I am thankful for their words, they are all hollow. It may seem like a great sacrifice in going to Nepal, but the truth is that I am giving up very little. The sacrifice does not coming in the going, but in the abandonment. I can very easily take my American mindset of “more stuff” and “It’s all about me” to the field. There are many people serving Jesus all over the world who live with this mindset. You many think I am being critical and to a point I am. We as believers in Christ “talk a good game”, but where is the real sacrifice Christ calls us to (Luke 9:23-27, 57-62)? What have we given up to follow Christ? How many of you have thought, ?We need a new car?, when the one you are driving is more than enough. Or maybe you?re thinking, ?I can?t give anymore than I already am to the church?, when you?re spending hundreds on entertainment, satellite, fast food, and other things that are worthless. So the next time you are watching a program about the millions of children dying of starvation, just change the channel and remind yourself you have no money to give. Or the next time a missionary challenges you to give so that one more person can hear the saving message of Jesus, remind yourself that you have bills to pay. Go ahead and absorb yourself in the ?Great American Lie?. Its ok, remember compared to others you?re doing a lot?yeah, sure you are.

PLEASE- let go of your stuff and live a radical life. I hear people say all the time ?it?s not wrong to have nice things.? Let me ask you this, is it ok to have nice things when your bother is starving because he has nothing to feed himself? You know the answer and God expects change. Let?s rise above the mediocrity that we all live in.

Dec 02, 2005 - 12:32 PM
Yesterday I was able to return to my old college (Tennessee Temple University) to teach two classes on missions and preach in chapel. Man, was God good! It was go humbling to be able to stand where my mentors have stood and share the passion of God’s heart. I challenged the students to completely abandon all to Christ. Following Christ requires the abandonment of all; material comforts, personal rights, and even relationships. The journey of a Believer is not easy, but it brings great joy. Here is one story I shared.

Adoniram Judson sweated out Burma’s heat for 18 years without a furlough, six years without a convert. Enduring torture and imprisonment, he admitted that he never saw a ship sail without wanting to jump on board and go home. When his wife’s health broke and he put her on a homebound vessel in the knowledge he would not see her for two full years, he confided to his diary: “If we could find some quiet resting place on earth where we could spend the rest of our days in peace. . .” But he steadied himself with this remarkable postscript: “Life is short. Millions of Burmese are perishing. I am almost the only person on earth who has attained their language to communicate salvation. . .”

Nov 19, 2005 - 12:58 AM
Last Saturday I attended an Arabic speaking church in York, PA. It was so amazing to see these people calling out to God in passionate worship. It’s such a contrast from what we see on the news every night. Our God is a God of the nations. He looks deeper than our skin. He hears us in our mother tongue. He even reaches us past our shallow misconceptions. Jesus shall reign as king over all nations.

Lord, may I look in the eyes of all men and see the passion of your heart.

Nov 17, 2005 - 08:33 AM
Well hello friends. I know it’s been awhile since I last wrote, but I have been crazy busy. The last two weeks I have been here at the home office getting the last bit of training before I leave. That’s right, I am leaving for Nepal January 11…Praise God! Can you believe it? God has been doing so many amazing things and I am so humbled to be a part of His great plan.

Hello Brian :)

Nov 09, 2005 - 07:12 PM
“…as the thunder rolls, I barely hear your whisper through the rain, “I’m with you”. And as your mercy falls, I raise my hands and praise the God who gives and takes away…I remember when. I stumbled in the wind. You heard my cry. You raised me up again. My strength is almost gone. How can I carry on, if I can’t find you. I lift my eyes unto the hills. Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. I’ll praise you in this storm and I will lift my hands; that you are who you are, no matter where I am. And every tear I’ve cried. You hold in your hand. You never left my side. And though my heart is torn. I will praise you in this storm”

CC

Oct 26, 2005 - 01:27 PM
Last Thursday was one of those days you tell your grandkids about (not that I have grandkids). On Wednesday my friend Luis and I traveled to Rochester, NY so that I could preach in a church. The following morning we drove to Niagara Falls so that we could see the famous attraction. When we got there we found out that we could walk across into Canada with just our driver’s license. What we didn?t realize was that it would not be that easy to get back into the country. My friend Luis is a Dominican and even though he has lived in the US most of his life, he is not a citizen. As we walked back into the US they asked Luis for his green card. Luis being surprised said he did not have it. They then told him he could not enter the US and made us wait for hours as they did paper work. I went back to Canada during this time to get us a place to stay as we wait until his family could ship his green card. Luis had to stay in the US immigration office and when I went back he was gone. I asked everyone where he was and no one knew. Finally they called their supervisors and located him. Luis had been taken to a holding cell as they decided what to do with him. Long story short, they gave him a bunch of hassle and finally let him go. We headed home with a great lesson learned: if you ever leave the US, don?t plan on coming back. haha!

Oct 19, 2005 - 11:11 PM
Man, it’s been a long time since I wrote in my journal. I have been sharing the vision of Nepal with many churches lately. Last week I was in a missions conference in West Virgina, today I preached in a church in up state New York, and this weekend I will be in a conference in Virginia. I am so amazed how God is providing in the last month. I am even more confident that God is preparing me to leave in January. Praise the Lord!

Please keep me in your prayers the next 90 days as I prepared to move to Nepal. The plan of God is scary, but oh so exciting

Oct 08, 2005 - 07:44 AM
“When the glory of God himself saturates our preaching and teaching and conversation and writings, and when he predominates above our talk of methods and stategies and psychological buzz words and cultural trends, then the people might begin to feel that he is the central reality of our lives and that the spread of his glory is more important than all their possessions and all their plans.”

John Piper- “Let the Nations be Glad”

Oct 07, 2005 - 09:42 PM
This weekend I am in Union Mills, NC getting training to teach English as a second language. It’s neat to be in classes with missionaries from many boards and from different churches. It’s a good reminder of John 17 (open your Bible and read it!)

I drove through the Smoky Mts. yesterday and was captivated by the beauty of God’s creation. A God who spoke that beauty into the ages also shaped me- ironic huh? :)

Oct 02, 2005 - 02:23 PM
Once again God used His Word to move my heart.

Psalm 27

The Lord is the stronghold? of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon o?the beauty of the Lord and to inquire? in his temple.

You have said, ?Seek? my face.? My heart says to you, ? Your face, Lord, do I seek.?

Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!

Sep 28, 2005 - 06:04 PM
Thank you all so much for your prayers during my Ohio trip. God blessed (as He always does)with two great meetings and a growing vision for all the nations.

As I headed home on Monday, my mother was put into the hospital again. She has had trouble walking and on Monday she struggled to breath. The doctors ruled out it having anything to do with her kidney, but thought it might have something to do with a viral infection in the brain. Praise God they later ruled that out. After an MRI they found two bulging disks in her spine and are planning another MRI tonight.

Lift up my mom and our family in prayer this week. And remember- no matter what the circumstances may be,God is still God and He is still good!

Sep 24, 2005 - 09:37 AM
Please pray as I leave for Ohio in a couple of hours. This is a short trip- I leave today and head back on Monday. Tomorrow will be a crazy day as I present ministry in a church near Dayton and then I drive to Mansfield to share my work there.

I was encouraged today with the thought that God chose me for this purpose- to take to truth to Nepal. I did not chose this path, nor did my life randomly happen. God chose me and the ministry He has placed on my life. What a comfort to know that this is all His plan and He will always completes what He starts.

Sep 22, 2005 - 10:53 PM
Now, love is not a feeling in your chest. It is bending down to wash another?s feet. It is faithful when the sun is in the west and in the east

It can hurt you as it holds you, in its overwhelming flood. Till only the unshakeable is left. ?This new command I give you,? He said, ?Love as I have loved?. So brother, love her better than yourself and give her your heart.

For the love of God- In the name of Jesus. The groom who gave his life To love his bride.

Andrew Peterson

Sep 19, 2005 - 09:26 AM
This last weekend I did a missions conference at Lighthouse Baptist Church in Antioch, TN. Normally I’m the one who passes on my passion and burden with the church, but this time I came away with the blessing. With a heavy focus on a persons personal walk with Jesus, being Spirit lead in everyday life, and missions in the 10/40 Window; I came away with a full mind and an over flowing heart. I hope to share with you some of the things I learned from this church over the next few weeks.

One truth that is now burned into my soul is that I belong to the King. As an American, I have been raised to understand that my complete loyalty is to this land, but this is not entirely true. Although I am an American, my citizenship is now in a new kingdom- the Kingdom of God. This kingdom passes all political boundaries, race, language, or any other limiting factor. The only requirement is that one must be a child of the King.

This all sounds nice and spiritual, but it?s more than that- it?s real! I truly have a King and I belong to His kingdom. Therefore I must focus my life and all my efforts on the desires of my King. All I am and all I have are His, completely. My time, my money, my dreams, my family, etc. are all His. With this truth in mind, I must now look at my life and radically change it in accordance with what the King desires. His desire is my delight.

O King, help me to live and serve in this kingdom. I have lived here a long time, but I am just now beginning to understanding what it means to be a citizen of this great kingdom.

Sep 09, 2005 - 01:03 AM
Everytime I am weak, or when I lose something precious, or when I come up short in an area of life; it’s then that I see the mercy of God in a clear way.

O God thank you for you plans- despite my worthlessness. Thank you for your forgiveness- despite my constant failure. Thank you for your unending love- even when my love is lacking. Thank you for fresh mercy- even when I deserve judgement. Thank you for presence- because without you I am nothing.

Sep 06, 2005 - 08:27 PM
God did it again! As you might imagine, things have been a little tight lately and I needed a way to earn some money. God blessed me with a part time job roofing that allows me to travel whenever I have meetings. Praise the Lord. It’s just like Him to provide for all my needs.

Pray as I meet this week with two Nepali college students. They are going to help me study the language and in return I will help them adapt to life in American. Both of these guys are Hindus, but I know God is going to call them to salvation! Please pray to that end.

Sep 02, 2005 - 03:01 PM
I just finished Erik Weihenmayer’s autobiography, “Touch the Top of the World”. Erik went blind at the age of thirteen, but despite his blindness, he has accomplished things most sighted men can’t do. Erik is an acrobatic skydiver, marathon runner, skier, rock climber, and mountaineer. Erik has climbed the highest peaks on all seven continents, including Mt. Everest. Erik?s belief in the impossible has allowed him to overcome great obstacles and prove to a watching world that the ?can?t be done? can be done.

We as believers also face impossible barriers, but the only way we can over come them is through the power of Jesus Christ. Let us look past the impossible and accomplish our dreams.

After coming face to face with his blindness Erik wrote: ?Never again would I thunder down the basketball court on a fast break or jump a dirt bike over a ramp; the past was dead, and no matter how much I fought, there was no reclaiming the dead. But one hundred feet above the tree line with the sun in my face and the sound of openness all around me, none of that seemed to matter as much, because, I had just discovered, I could climb.?

Sep 01, 2005 - 03:00 PM
This afternoon I will be meeting with close to twenty college students from Nepal. All of theses guys are Hindus and need a personal relationship with Christ. Pray that God uses this evening as a chance to build relationships.

My busy travel schedule starts back up in a few weeks. Please pray that these church will partner with me in ministry. If I want to be on the field by January I need to be at 85% of my support by November.

Aug 26, 2005 - 01:21 AM
Isaiah 44:1-5

?But now hear, ?O Jacob my servant, Israel whom I have chosen! Thus says the Lord who made you, ? who formed you from the womb and will help you: ? Fear not, O Jacob my servant, Jeshurun whom I have chosen. For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. They shall spring up among the grass like willows by flowing streams. This one will say, ?I am the Lord?s,? another will call on the name of Jacob, and another will write on his hand, ?The Lord?s,? and name himself by the name of Israel.?

Aug 24, 2005 - 09:32 PM
Thank you for your prayers during my heart cath. surgery. This morning I went under the knife around 8:45am and came out around 11am. Because they used the main artery in my legs as a pathway onto my heart, I had to stay in the hospital most of the day. I am now back home and should be back to normal in a day or two. Other than being drugged up, I feel good. Thank you for all your emails, text messages, and phone calls.

Aug 21, 2005 - 10:13 PM
This weekend I attended a Bible conference taught by John Piper. His writings and sermons have made a great impact on my personal walk with God and my doctrine. It was through his guidance into scripture that God revealed to me the completeness of His sovereignty.

At this conference, I learned a tremendous amount about the joy that only comes through Christ. I realized that joy is not on option in the Christian life; it comes with the package. For so long I have asked God to give me joy, but then turned around and sought it in everything else; work, ministry, possessions, sports, and relationships. The truth is, Jesus can and desires to give complete joy; apart from anything else. Have you ever noticed that the greatest peace and joy come during the hardest times of life. Why? Because during those times we have no where else to look for joy, but in Christ. It is then that we are given the joy we long for. Seeking joy in life is not selfish, it?s God?s desire for His children. 1 Corinthians 1:24, Philippians 1:25, Matthew 13:44, and John 15:11
Aug 18, 2005 - 01:21 PM
Your face is beautiful and your eyes are like the stars Your gentle hands have healing wounds there inside the scars Your loving arms they draw me near and your smile, it brings me peace Draw me closer, oh my Lord, draw me closer Lord to Thee

Captivate us Lord Jesus, set our eyes on you Devastate us with your presence falling down Rushing river draw us nearer Holy fountain consume us with you Captivate us Lord Jesus with you

Your voice is powerful and your words are radiant bright In your breath and shadow I will come close and abide You whisper love and life divine and your fellowship is free Draw me closer O my Lord, draw me closer Lord to Thee

And let everything be lost in the shadows of the light of your face And let every chain be broken from me as I?m bound in your grace For your yoke is easy and your burden is light You?re full of wisdom, power and might And every eye will see you

Watermark

Aug 17, 2005 - 02:43 PM
One of my friends gave me a passage today that broke my heart.

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor;? he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and ?the opening of the prison to those who are bound;? to proclaim the year of the Lord?s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion? to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, ?that he may be glorified.?” Isaiah 61:1-3

God, thank you for the calling on my life- “to proclaim freedom for the captives”

Aug 15, 2005 - 10:45 AM
I’m back from my walk with God in the mountains. I cut my trip a couple of days short because of blisters on my feet. Part of me wanted to stay and finish out, but I am so glad I headed back. On Sunday I hiked 5.5 miles to Cades Cove and planned on hitch hiking about 20 miles back to my car. I picked up two rides to get to the road I need, but when I got there it had been closed due to flood damage. So now I had to hitch hike out of the Smoky Mts., to Townsend, to the Foot Hills PKWY, down HWY 129, and finally down HWY 28 to Fontana Dam. Praise the Lord for days of adventure! I was able to hitch hike over 50 miles yesterday and meet some amazing people: a loving Christian family, a 20 year old man interested in career missions, and a Buddhist airplane mechanic just to name a few.

I had a great hiking trip this weekend, but the one thing God showed me was the vast confusion of this world. So many times I get caught up in my Christian circles and forget that there is a world out there lost to so many different things: relative truth, self satisfaction, good works, and a list of others. Do yourself a favor. Step out of your comfort zone and talk to different people. God will open your eyes and heart to what the world really needs: not church, not morals, not even religion; they need a relationship with Jesus Christ!

Aug 12, 2005 - 11:06 AM
This morning I am leaving for a 5 day hiking trip on the Appalachian Trail. Going to Nepal requires not only spiritual and educational training, but physical training as well.

God has opened up a new door for ministry at one of my supporting churches. Every Wednesday night I will be leading a small group Bible study for 20 somethings at Christ Community Church. Last Wednesday we had eight people and the study was great. Also, I will be filling the pulpit while the pastor takes a few weeks off. Praise the Lord for times like these!

Aug 09, 2005 - 12:22 PM
I have been reading through Job these last several weeks and the message it delivers was made very real to me. The message Job gives us is that God is always carrying out His plan, for His glory; no matter how confusing it might be to us.

This Saturday I was the ?best man? in my dear friend Todd Humbert?s wedding. It was the most amazing wedding I have ever been apart of (and I would know- this is number 7 for me). The focus of the whole wedding was Jesus. During the middle of the ceremony a man stepped up with a guitar and began leading worship. As I look at the bride and groom they were completely consumed in worship. It was incredible!

The next day I was suppose to meet Todd?s parents at Goody?s to return the tuxedos. I waited and waited, but no one ever showed up. I just assumed something came up, but I never imagined this. As Tim and Karen Humbert were driving down the interstate, Tim lost control of the car and hit a tree. Tim was killed instantly and both Karen and her sister were rushed to the hospital.

During a time of great joy, tragedy hits hard. Why? Why did God allow this to happen? I may never know, but what I can do is trust in a God who is perfect. All of His ways are perfect, both the joyful and the tragic. I can give you one story of hope. Many of us were gathered outside the hospital praying for Karen and her sister. As we prayed, one of the girls began to pray for an unsaved Japanese student who was with us. She begged the Lord to save him. Within five minutes God had saved Yuki?s soul. Praise the Lord!

O Lord, be enough for Todd, Tim, Kelly, Karen, and the whole Humbert family. May you be exalted in everyway!

Jul 29, 2005 - 09:00 AM
Tonight I am preaching at camp for Peachtree Baptist Church. Pray that the Spirit moves in real and everlasting ways.

After the service I start my vacation! A friend and I are staying a week out on the lake. A family in our church has let us use their lake house and two jetskis. Sweet! Lazy days, big books, and lots of peace are in store for me. I would love to know what God is teaching you in your quiet time. Drop me a note at my website email and let me know what your learning. reachingnepal@hotmail.com

Jul 28, 2005 - 11:21 PM
I met with the heart doctor today and he highly recommended that I have this problem with my heart fixed. It’s an outpatient surgery that involves two heart catheters. The date for the surgery is August 24 at 6:30 am.

Jul 28, 2005 - 11:20 AM
One of the greatest things a man can possess is a solid integrity. Today in my quiet time, God confirmed this fact even more. Job lost all he loved and cherished, save his integrity. It was this God given strength that gave him the vision to stay godly.

?As long as my breath is in me, and the breath of God in my nostrils, my lips will not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit. Far be it from me that I should say you are right; Till I die I will not put away my integrity from me. My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go; my heart shall not reproach me as long as I live.? Job 27:3-6

Also, remember me in prayer today as I go to the heart doctor at 1:30.

Jul 27, 2005 - 01:10 PM
I read John 17 and Job 22-23 this morning.

The Spirit reminded of an amazing truth from John 17:5. “And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.” Jesus’ desire was to once again be glorified like He was before the creation. We must remember that Jesus didn’t start at the manger. He has always been in existence and has always been God. Jesus shares all the glory that the Father has. His glory, the glory of God, is the supreme delight of all His creation.

The Word also touched my heart from Job 23:10. “But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.”

Jul 26, 2005 - 04:13 PM
Man is it HOT! It has to be close to 100 degrees with the humidity very high.

Today, David and I took a student from my wrestling team out to lunch. It was good to hang out and build a deeper relationship with him. Please pray that God will continue to open up doors to share the love of Christ with my wrestlers. God places chances to serve in our lives everyday. So many times we just wait around to see where God will lead, but the truth is that God is working all around us. We don?t have to wait to serve. We can join God in what He is already doing around us. Open your eyes and look around you. What are your gifts, your passions, your relationships? Step out in faith and join God in the work He is already doing.

?We are His servants, and we adjust our lives to what He is about to do.? Henry Blackaby

Jul 25, 2005 - 09:59 AM
Good Morning. God’s mercy has such a sweet aroma today. Not becuse of any specific thing, but just because He has reminded me of Him complete restoration. Were would I be with out the mercy of God on my life? God thank you for your breaking, your shaping, and the future unknown.

In these last weeks I have been praying about a decision I need to make for my future. Please pray that God will give me wisdom and assurance about this next step. The great comfort I have is that no matter where He leads, He has already been there.

Jul 24, 2005 - 12:48 AM
My quiet times have been great these last several months, but my prayer life has been hurting. I had no structure to my prayer time and was limited to the needs I remembered. Today I set aside some time to organize my prayer life. By breaking my prayer list up into a seven day format I am able commit myself to a deeper paryer life. Please pray that God uses this to help burden me.

Jul 23, 2005 - 01:36 PM
“The mystery of sanctification is that the perfections of Jesus Christ are imparted to me, not gradually, but instantly when by faith I enter into the realization that Jesus Christ is made unto me sanctification. Sanctification does not mean anything less than the holiness of Jesus being made mine manifestly…The one marvellous secret of a holy life lies not in imitating Jesus, but in letting the perfections of Jesus manifest themselves in my mortal flesh. Sanctification is ?Christ in you.?…Am I willing for God to make sanctification as real in me as it is in His word? Sanctification means the impartation of the holy qualities of Jesus Christ. It is His patience, His love, His holiness, His faith, His purity, His godliness, that is manifested in and through every sanctified soul. Sanctification is not drawing from Jesus the power to be holy; it is drawing from Jesus the holiness that was manifested in Him, and He manifests it in me. Sanctification is an impartation, not an imitation. Imitation is on a different line. In Jesus Christ is the perfection of everything, and the mystery of sanctification is that all the perfections of Jesus are at my disposal …” Oswald Chambers

Read Job 14-16

Jul 23, 2005 - 01:25 AM
On Thursday I was able to speak to my old youth group at their annual summer camp. God poured out His Spirit on the chapel service and several hearts were touched. I was able to counsel two youth after the service and see Him work wonders in both of their lives. Let me tell you…I love the ministry. Nothing moves me like pouring myself our for others. I could never do anything else with my life.

Jul 21, 2005 - 01:41 AM
It’s past 1:30am and I am still up…ouch! I had a long day of driving, but once again God kept me safe. Over the last month I have begun discipling two of my old students. My understanding of discipleship has changed tremendously over the last several months. I use to think discipleship was about lessons and meetings. Although they have their place, true discipleship is about pouring your life into someone else. God has blessed me with two young men who have a desire to learn from me. I pray they see something worthwhile in my life that they can apply to there own. I challenge all my faithful readers (haha) to seek out someone in your life to disciple. There is nothing in this world like investing in someone else. It?s hard work, but the rewards are well worth the work.

Jul 20, 2005 - 08:08 AM
Good Morning! Yesterday I went to NYC with my friends Luis and Jeremy to just relax a bit. We had fun, but around 7pm I hit the road and headed back home. I made it about 30 miles north of Charlottesville before I stopped to sleep. Now I am refreshed and ready to drive 8 more hours (haha). Read from Job 8-9 this morning.

Jul 18, 2005 - 09:56 AM
Yesterday in my quiet time I read from Job 3-4. Here Job is wishing that he had never been born and one of his friends makes a comment in 4:6. “Is not your fear of God? your c?onfidence, and the integrity of your ways your hope?”. We are always hard on Job’s friends, but here he makes a great point. Our view of life should never change even during great trials. We need to remember that the God of the good times is also the God of the hard times. When trials come we must find our confidence and hope in Him. Thank you Lord for the hope that never fades.

Jul 17, 2005 - 05:45 AM
Well I had two new experiences today. First of all, several of my missionary friends and I went out to lunch at an international restaurant were we ate Pakistani food. I have eaten Indian and Nepali food, but never Pakistani. I must say I?m a fan. After having lunch with my friends, I drove three hours north to New Jersey. Here is where I had my second new experience- working in a bowling alley. Sounds corny, but it was interesting. I am staying with my college roommate while in New Jersey and at night he works at a bowling alley. I drove to meet him at his work and ended up staying late that night helping out with the crowd. The older I get the more teachable my spirit becomes. No longer do I look at a job or a situation and think that the task is below me. I am beginning to understand that I can grow and learn from any situation. It?s hard sometimes, but we would all be better off if we would face even the mundane things of life with optimism and a teachable spirit. We can rest in the fact that God ordains all things and that even the smallest things in life have a purpose.

Jul 16, 2005 - 07:13 AM
Last night during our closing service we honored a missionary couple who had been serving in Peru for 50 years. Can you imagine the commitment it took to live a life like that. This couple worked on the Amazon river and later in life on the coast. Together they planted hundreds of churches and discipled thousands of believers. You my not know their names now, but one day they will be the “heros” of heaven.

Jul 14, 2005 - 11:52 PM
One of the greatest evidences of God is in the nature He created. Just to see its beauty, breath its air, and soak up the perfection; screams the glory of God. Today I slapped on my climbing shoes and when rock climbing (actually bouldering). It was great to just take in all that He is through His creation. Even the stars at night shine for the glory of God and as a reminder of enduring love.

Jul 13, 2005 - 11:25 PM
Today we talk a lot about different church planting models and how effective they are in various countries. It was helpful to sit and think about ways to reach the Nepalese. It’s beinging to really hit me. God has chosen me to reach these people…WOW! How unworthy I am. My heart and spirit are getting more and more excited about investing my life in such a great task.

If you haven’t yet signed up to become a prayer partner, please do. I hold my partners as a very needful part of my ministry.

Jul 12, 2005 - 11:51 PM
Lord, I want to invest my life in something great. I want my life to count. Not that I want wealth or fame, but I want to make you know. May your fame be the great joy of my life.

Jul 12, 2005 - 04:48 PM
After a good night of rest (six hours), I feel on top of my game. This course is very intensive, but I can already tell it’s going to be of great profit in the future. I am sitting in a small group study where we are laying out a plan for a church plant in the Philippines. Don’t worry, I am not being lazy, we were assigned different areas of the community to research and I just wrapped up my part. I had a great blessing today. My mother said I got a letter from a church I have been praying would partner with me. I have tried everything to get in the door, but with no response. She opened the letter and told me they had invited me to their missions conference in September. Praise the Lord! …More to come later today.

Jul 12, 2005 - 12:12 AM
Hello everyone! I am safe and sound in PA, so don’t worry. The last two days have been crazy. Sunday I preached in a church in Cleveland, then drove 9 hours to PA, got in bed around 1am, and was back up to meeting “Team Nepal” for breakfast at 5:45am. I am tired to say the least. Today I have been in class for 12 hours and now I am writting in my journal at midnight. I would be in bed, but I have this crazy notion that someone actually reads this (haha). If your reading this then your the one. I will get on tomorrow and keep you update, so don’t worry your pretty little head.

Jul 09, 2005 - 05:44 PM
God worked in a great way last night at the youth revival. I shared from Exodus about the passion Moses had for God. In so many places, the children of Israel settled for just seeing God and not experiencing Him.

Look at Exodus 20:18-21 and see the difference between Moses and the rest of Israel. “Now all the people witnessed the thunderings, the lightning flashes, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood afar off. Then they said to Moses, ?You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die.? And Moses said to the people, ?Do not fear; for God has come to test you, and that His fear may be before you, so that you may not sin.? So the people stood afar off, but Moses drew near the thick darkness where God was.”

Notice that both saw the same thing, but Moses’ passion to be with God lead him further. Even when everyone else was afraid, Moses pushed past the fear and walked into the unknown. May God give us all the strength to pursue His presence and be consumed by Him.

Jul 08, 2005 - 10:56 AM
Praise God for the power He brings through His Word. As I preached the Word last night, I knew the Spirit was working in the hearts of the people. A good foundation was set for what I hope is a powerful service tonight. Pray that God leads the students and adults to complete surrender. May He work in a way tonight that none of us have ever seen.

?Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.? Ephesians 3:20-21

Jul 07, 2005 - 05:23 PM
I am heading out to Coker Creek in a few minutes to preach at a youth retreat. Please pray for me this evening as I challenge these teens from Mark 8:34-36. May they understand that being a Christian is more that just a walk down the aisle or a raised hand. Following Jesus will always cost us something.

Jul 07, 2005 - 11:14 AM
I woke up this morning to the shocking news of the four bombings in London. My heart goes out to England and the families that suffered loss. My prayer is that the churches of England will rise up in love and reach out to this city. Nothing can change the heart of a nation, or an individual, like tragity. We as believers need to pray. We need to ask God to draw this nation to Himself.

Jul 07, 2005 - 12:47 AM
Well I am excited to say that my new website is up and running. A big thank you goes out to Sam Gerdt and the staff at Unending Project. As you can tell they have done an amazing job. Please drop me an email and let me know what you think of my new site.