Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Sunday, November 13, 2011
The Battle is Won, By Cassie Hallam
This is another Post from my friend Cassie's Blog. It is amazing to hear how God is Working in Atlanta, and through her Ministry. Check out what she had to say today, Veterans Day 2011. And Please continue to keep Her and the ministry in your prayers as God continues to Win the Battle!
The Battle is Won
The casualties of war can be catastrophic and tragic. Wounds are inevitable. Memories can be painful. Loss is horrific and deserves mourning. But victory is sweet. Victory makes every moment of pain, strife, and doubt worth it all.
Whether we choose to believe it or not, there is a war being waged right within our midst daily. The war often goes unseen, except to the select few to whom the veil has been lifted and for a moment are given the gift to receive a glimpse of the battle for our hearts. Right in front of our blinded eyes is a gruesome and bloody war is being fought for each and every one of our hearts. Kingdoms are clashing. The powers of the dark are trying their best to devour the unparalleled and preeminent powers of the light. The dark is seeking to distinguish any source of light within each of our lives and assault our hearts by distracting us from the divine and marvelous light of the Lord Jesus Christ.
One of the places where I can see and feel this battle so tangibly is when I go out with my team on Friday nights and partner with the forces of the light, and tap into the Lord’s strength and take up His armor, to battle against the darkness that has captivated the girls we minister to on the streets. The Lord’s love for them is furious. The Lord’s love for each of us is furious. But God is livid at the pain and suffering that His precious daughters in Atlanta are facing and have faced the majority of their lives. God hates seeing them be abused every day.
As I’m writing this, I am realizing the irony of the date of this truth that I am learning. It’s Veterans Day. And here I am, learning the truths of what the war for our hearts looks like. A sad fact that I’m struck with is the fact that many veterans after serving in war come home never to be the same again. The images they have seen, the losses of lives they have seen is catastrophic and leaves imprints of their minds that unfortunately send a lot of them to insanity.
Though we are not physically fighting, we see horrific things. A girl that my team has been ministering to for years was murdered just several weeks ago. We have found girls lying on the streets weeping after just being raped. We have heard stories that no one should ever have to hear, let alone experience. The casualties of this war for our hearts can be catastrophic and tragic as well. And if we’re not careful, we could begin to lose our sanity as well as our purity of mind if we are not careful to dwell on the good that is being done and the grace of Jesus Christ.
We must be so careful and intentional to dwell on “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable” (Philippians 4:8) rather than allowing ourselves to be overwhelmed by the despairing and troubling things we see or hear. Because through Christ Jesus’ death and resurrection, the battle is already won. We already hold the keys to victory; so there is much to celebrate and much good to dwell on.
So tonight instead of bogging us all down with the burdensome stories that Satan and sin has destructively played into, I want to proclaim and rejoice in the victories that the Lord has brought forth in our relationships with the girls on the streets. Because so often I find myself disheartened and frustrated because I so easily become overwhelmed by the destruction and havoc that Satan is wreaking rather than being overwhelmed by the LIGHT, and all of the goodness that the Lord is cultivating in this community! That’s just who Satan is. He wants me to be impressed by his evil schemes. He wants me to be taken aback by the abominable affairs that he is originating so that I wonder where the power of the light is.
So here I am tonight, declaring that the battle is won. The victory is in the hands of Jesus Christ. And even if I never see another girl surrender her life to the Lord and be rescued from the dark, I can rest in the fact that Jesus has already won. Even when the battle looks hopeless and as a lost cause, I can say “NO” deep within my soul and know within my heart that Jesus holds the final victory.
But the beauty of this journal entry is this: there still is good being done! The name of Jesus alone is still doing miracles- even in a place where darkness is so thick and so worshipped, the name of Jesus still pierces hearts.
FOUR girls have recently decided to quit the prostitution business and pursue their dreams for a real job and family. THREE of those four have already surrendered their lives to the Lord and committed all of their days to Him. I have seen THREE healings miraculously take place through the name of Jesus in the past month. A lady that has mocked us for the past several years every time we visit her has recently opened up, broken down in tears, and called on the name of the Lord for help. Our team has gained favor at THREE additional strip clubs- permission to enter without a fee to give gifts to the working girls and tell them about our beautiful Jesus. These are just a few of the MANY victories I have witnessed recently.
The Lord is still working. He is still battling violently and aggressively for the hearts and souls of His precious daughters. And because of that, Satan is angry. Satan is furious. The enemy knows that nothing that he plots or schemes can ever stand up against the deep and passionate love the Lord has for each and every one of His sons and daughters. And that, my friends, is why we rejoice tonight.
The Battle is Won
The casualties of war can be catastrophic and tragic. Wounds are inevitable. Memories can be painful. Loss is horrific and deserves mourning. But victory is sweet. Victory makes every moment of pain, strife, and doubt worth it all.
Whether we choose to believe it or not, there is a war being waged right within our midst daily. The war often goes unseen, except to the select few to whom the veil has been lifted and for a moment are given the gift to receive a glimpse of the battle for our hearts. Right in front of our blinded eyes is a gruesome and bloody war is being fought for each and every one of our hearts. Kingdoms are clashing. The powers of the dark are trying their best to devour the unparalleled and preeminent powers of the light. The dark is seeking to distinguish any source of light within each of our lives and assault our hearts by distracting us from the divine and marvelous light of the Lord Jesus Christ.
One of the places where I can see and feel this battle so tangibly is when I go out with my team on Friday nights and partner with the forces of the light, and tap into the Lord’s strength and take up His armor, to battle against the darkness that has captivated the girls we minister to on the streets. The Lord’s love for them is furious. The Lord’s love for each of us is furious. But God is livid at the pain and suffering that His precious daughters in Atlanta are facing and have faced the majority of their lives. God hates seeing them be abused every day.
As I’m writing this, I am realizing the irony of the date of this truth that I am learning. It’s Veterans Day. And here I am, learning the truths of what the war for our hearts looks like. A sad fact that I’m struck with is the fact that many veterans after serving in war come home never to be the same again. The images they have seen, the losses of lives they have seen is catastrophic and leaves imprints of their minds that unfortunately send a lot of them to insanity.
Though we are not physically fighting, we see horrific things. A girl that my team has been ministering to for years was murdered just several weeks ago. We have found girls lying on the streets weeping after just being raped. We have heard stories that no one should ever have to hear, let alone experience. The casualties of this war for our hearts can be catastrophic and tragic as well. And if we’re not careful, we could begin to lose our sanity as well as our purity of mind if we are not careful to dwell on the good that is being done and the grace of Jesus Christ.
We must be so careful and intentional to dwell on “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable” (Philippians 4:8) rather than allowing ourselves to be overwhelmed by the despairing and troubling things we see or hear. Because through Christ Jesus’ death and resurrection, the battle is already won. We already hold the keys to victory; so there is much to celebrate and much good to dwell on.
So tonight instead of bogging us all down with the burdensome stories that Satan and sin has destructively played into, I want to proclaim and rejoice in the victories that the Lord has brought forth in our relationships with the girls on the streets. Because so often I find myself disheartened and frustrated because I so easily become overwhelmed by the destruction and havoc that Satan is wreaking rather than being overwhelmed by the LIGHT, and all of the goodness that the Lord is cultivating in this community! That’s just who Satan is. He wants me to be impressed by his evil schemes. He wants me to be taken aback by the abominable affairs that he is originating so that I wonder where the power of the light is.
So here I am tonight, declaring that the battle is won. The victory is in the hands of Jesus Christ. And even if I never see another girl surrender her life to the Lord and be rescued from the dark, I can rest in the fact that Jesus has already won. Even when the battle looks hopeless and as a lost cause, I can say “NO” deep within my soul and know within my heart that Jesus holds the final victory.
But the beauty of this journal entry is this: there still is good being done! The name of Jesus alone is still doing miracles- even in a place where darkness is so thick and so worshipped, the name of Jesus still pierces hearts.
FOUR girls have recently decided to quit the prostitution business and pursue their dreams for a real job and family. THREE of those four have already surrendered their lives to the Lord and committed all of their days to Him. I have seen THREE healings miraculously take place through the name of Jesus in the past month. A lady that has mocked us for the past several years every time we visit her has recently opened up, broken down in tears, and called on the name of the Lord for help. Our team has gained favor at THREE additional strip clubs- permission to enter without a fee to give gifts to the working girls and tell them about our beautiful Jesus. These are just a few of the MANY victories I have witnessed recently.
The Lord is still working. He is still battling violently and aggressively for the hearts and souls of His precious daughters. And because of that, Satan is angry. Satan is furious. The enemy knows that nothing that he plots or schemes can ever stand up against the deep and passionate love the Lord has for each and every one of His sons and daughters. And that, my friends, is why we rejoice tonight.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Walking by Faith, not by Sight...
A friend asked me the other day, if I wanted to do a Bible study over Facebook. That they had been reading Romans, and wanted to discus some of the things, and wondered if I would be interested. Now you may be wondering why on facebook, well this friend isn't in Cincinnati. So I began reading Romans that day, and we had our first meeting/chat on wed. Lets just say that what I am about to share is what God had been planning for me every step of the way. God knew what I needed, God knew what I needed to hear. God used this friend to open my mind to the scripture.
For a while now I have been wondering and struggling with the sin in my Life. Why am so righteous to Gods Glory when I am such a horrible person. Sin is something that controls you. takes over your thoughts and mind, and creates itself as its own law against the law of Christ. Reading in Romans this past week has opened my mind to sin, and what Jesus truly is in pure sacrifice to sin.
I am going to quote some of the scripture, It may jump around alot, but this is what I have been reading, and learning.
Dead to sin, Alive in Christ Ch 6
5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with,[a] that we should no longer be slaves to sin— 7 because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.
8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. 10 The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.
11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13 Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. 14 For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.
Slaves to Righteousness
15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? By no means! 16 Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. 18 You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.
19 I put this in human terms because you ar weak in your natural selves. Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness. 20 When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. 21 What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! 22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in[b] Christ Jesus our Lord.
Ch 7
14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature.[c] For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?
Ch 8
Life through the Spirit
5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.
9 You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life[d] because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of[e] his Spirit who lives in you.
12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.
14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.[f] And by him we cry, “Abba,[g] Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”[j]
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[k] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Ch 9
15“I will have mercy on whom I have mercy,
and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”
16 It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. 17 For Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”[g] 18 Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.
19 One of you will say to me: “Then why does God still blame us? For who is able to resist his will?” 20 But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’”[h] 21 Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use?
30 What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; 31 but the people of Israel, who pursued the law as the way of righteousness, have not attained their goal. 32 Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone. 33 As it is written:
“See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes people to stumble
and a rock that makes them fall,
and the one who believes in him will never be put to shame.”
God is teaching me everyday, and I am learning everyday. Sin is alive in my life, but if I so choose to follow sin through my human desires, than I am dead. For it is through Faith alone that God grants mercy and righteousness. Do I pursue righteousness through works? Yes I do. To many times. Do I pursue Righteousness through Faith. Not as much.
Much of my sin comes from shame. I am constantly telling my self I am not worthy. I am not qualified to design for B2B. I am not qualified to be an architect. I am not qualified to share the the Gospel because I live in sin. I will never be able to do this or that, because of who I am. I will never get married. I will never live up to anything. How can I make it into heaven when my life is full of sin.
Well looking at the last one. Why am I trying to "make it" into heaven. Am I working everyday day to "make it" into heaven. God gave us the word, so that we may us it to full fill his will, not only to receive mercy and righteousness, but so that we may live in him, and in the Love that he gives to us each and everyday. Shame, is the law of sin that takes over. Shame destroys our trust. Shame destroys our Faith. Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 8:5 So what does the spirit Desire?
But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life[d] because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of[e] his Spirit who lives in you.
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”[j]
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[k] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Neither Death nor Life, nor shame, or evil, or anyone, or any power can separate us from the Love that Jesus has shown us. For God so Loved us that he gave his One and only son to Die for us.
Therefore Paul says:
“See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes people to stumble
and a rock that makes them fall,
and the one who believes in him will never be put to shame.”
See even Paul says, no matter what I do to you. I will trip you, I will cause you to fall.
No matter what, A stone can cause a man to stumble, and a rock can cause a man to fall. But the one who lives by True Faith, will never be put to shame. By Faith Comes life. Life through Living Water.
Jesus, Humble me! Help me to stumble. Close my eyes. Give me the strength to Walk by Faith, not by Sight...
For a while now I have been wondering and struggling with the sin in my Life. Why am so righteous to Gods Glory when I am such a horrible person. Sin is something that controls you. takes over your thoughts and mind, and creates itself as its own law against the law of Christ. Reading in Romans this past week has opened my mind to sin, and what Jesus truly is in pure sacrifice to sin.
I am going to quote some of the scripture, It may jump around alot, but this is what I have been reading, and learning.
Dead to sin, Alive in Christ Ch 6
5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with,[a] that we should no longer be slaves to sin— 7 because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.
8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. 10 The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.
11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13 Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. 14 For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.
Slaves to Righteousness
15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? By no means! 16 Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. 18 You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.
19 I put this in human terms because you ar weak in your natural selves. Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness. 20 When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. 21 What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! 22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in[b] Christ Jesus our Lord.
Ch 7
14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature.[c] For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?
Ch 8
Life through the Spirit
5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.
9 You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life[d] because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of[e] his Spirit who lives in you.
12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.
14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.[f] And by him we cry, “Abba,[g] Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”[j]
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[k] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Ch 9
15“I will have mercy on whom I have mercy,
and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”
16 It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. 17 For Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”[g] 18 Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.
19 One of you will say to me: “Then why does God still blame us? For who is able to resist his will?” 20 But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’”[h] 21 Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use?
30 What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; 31 but the people of Israel, who pursued the law as the way of righteousness, have not attained their goal. 32 Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone. 33 As it is written:
“See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes people to stumble
and a rock that makes them fall,
and the one who believes in him will never be put to shame.”
God is teaching me everyday, and I am learning everyday. Sin is alive in my life, but if I so choose to follow sin through my human desires, than I am dead. For it is through Faith alone that God grants mercy and righteousness. Do I pursue righteousness through works? Yes I do. To many times. Do I pursue Righteousness through Faith. Not as much.
Much of my sin comes from shame. I am constantly telling my self I am not worthy. I am not qualified to design for B2B. I am not qualified to be an architect. I am not qualified to share the the Gospel because I live in sin. I will never be able to do this or that, because of who I am. I will never get married. I will never live up to anything. How can I make it into heaven when my life is full of sin.
Well looking at the last one. Why am I trying to "make it" into heaven. Am I working everyday day to "make it" into heaven. God gave us the word, so that we may us it to full fill his will, not only to receive mercy and righteousness, but so that we may live in him, and in the Love that he gives to us each and everyday. Shame, is the law of sin that takes over. Shame destroys our trust. Shame destroys our Faith. Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 8:5 So what does the spirit Desire?
But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life[d] because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of[e] his Spirit who lives in you.
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”[j]
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[k] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Neither Death nor Life, nor shame, or evil, or anyone, or any power can separate us from the Love that Jesus has shown us. For God so Loved us that he gave his One and only son to Die for us.
Therefore Paul says:
“See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes people to stumble
and a rock that makes them fall,
and the one who believes in him will never be put to shame.”
See even Paul says, no matter what I do to you. I will trip you, I will cause you to fall.
No matter what, A stone can cause a man to stumble, and a rock can cause a man to fall. But the one who lives by True Faith, will never be put to shame. By Faith Comes life. Life through Living Water.
Jesus, Humble me! Help me to stumble. Close my eyes. Give me the strength to Walk by Faith, not by Sight...
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Through someone elses Eyes!
This post if from my friend Cassie, She has worked in Mexico with me, serving the Children of Monterrey. Cassie is currently living in Atlanta Georgia, where she is working with Nightlight Ministries. Nightlight works on the streets of Atlanta, serving and rescuing the girls in the sex slave trade. I knew that this was a huge problem in our world today, but I never knew how rough it was until I read Cassie's Blog this morning. My heart sunk. Why is our world so possessed with this. why do we continue to seek out the darkness in our world. Here is what Cassie had to say.
I Don't Ever want to Get Used to This
Last night marked my first night going downtown to work with NightLight. We went downtown at about 10:30 PM while the night was still young and stayed out until 3 AM, ministering and praying for the young women on the streets caught in the vicious cycle and stronghold of sexual trafficking and exploitation.
As I sit here nearly twelve hours later, I am still processing and almost sitting in unbelief of the things that I saw last night. It's one thing to hear about these things and maybe even see documentaries of the sex trafficking industry on the television, but it's a whole different ball game when you are standing literally two feet next to a woman while she makes a deal with a man and climbs into his truck to sell her body in desperate hopes that she'll make enough money to please her pimp and make it through the next couple days. The feeling that I felt in my stomach is simply indescribable. I could say that it felt like I was punched straight in the gut, but it was deeper than that. I could say that it felt like my heart dropped into my stomach, but it was worse than that. I could say that I felt like in that moment I had lost all ability to see or hear anything else around me, but it was far more tragic than that.
For a moment, I believe that the Lord revealed to me just the slightest amount of love He has for this young lady. And for a moment, I didn't see just "another" girl climbing into a truck with a man to do her "dirty deed". I saw a desperate young lady, broken and shattered on the inside, trying to find her way in this world. And for a moment, the Lord delivered me from my hostility and anger towards the man who "purchased" this lady for such a low price and saw just another lonely and deeply broken man, searching for intimacy in all of the wrong places and resorting to such cheap forms of love. Because all in all, we're all the same- just searching for love and truth.
As I witnessed this deal go down though, I couldn't help but cry out to the Lord, "I DON'T EVER WANT TO GET USED TO THIS!" I will be doing this sort of ministry every Friday night for an indefinite amount of time, but I never ever want to get used to this. I never want to get to the point where I see a deal like this go down, and I don't feel something going on inside of me. While I was praying this, I heard the Lord tell me:
"I never get used to this. You come once a week. I'm here every day. Every hour. Every minute. Every second. I never get used to this. I never accept this. I am not pleased with this. These are my precious daughters. I see the pain, I hear the lies that Satan tells them every day and my heart is broken for them. I CRY FOR THEM. These are my precious daughters that I was nailed to a cross to and shed blood for. I never get used to this."
So now here I am, feeling completely inadequate to portray Christ's love to these girls. But in my weakness, He is strong. I realize that no matter how hard I try to imitate God's love to them, my love for them will always pale in comparison to the Lord's deep love and jealousy for them. Fighting against the sex trafficking and exploitation industry is a very discouraging work because it often feels so hopeless, but I will press on with the perseverance and patience that the Lord demonstrated on me when saving me probably felt hopeless and like a lost cause. He didn't give up on me, and I will not give up on them.
I can't imagine what the streets are like down there, or any place in our world that this is happening. But I know that God is in control, and he is using people like Cassie to open the hearts of these girls, and to shed light in this dark dark world we live in. Please, Please keep the girls out there, as well as all those people caught up in human trafficking in your prayers. Please also keep Cassie in your thoughts and prayers. Please pray that God gives her the strength to go out every Friday, and that he guides her through every step.
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.
Proverbs 3: 5-6
I Don't Ever want to Get Used to This
Last night marked my first night going downtown to work with NightLight. We went downtown at about 10:30 PM while the night was still young and stayed out until 3 AM, ministering and praying for the young women on the streets caught in the vicious cycle and stronghold of sexual trafficking and exploitation.
As I sit here nearly twelve hours later, I am still processing and almost sitting in unbelief of the things that I saw last night. It's one thing to hear about these things and maybe even see documentaries of the sex trafficking industry on the television, but it's a whole different ball game when you are standing literally two feet next to a woman while she makes a deal with a man and climbs into his truck to sell her body in desperate hopes that she'll make enough money to please her pimp and make it through the next couple days. The feeling that I felt in my stomach is simply indescribable. I could say that it felt like I was punched straight in the gut, but it was deeper than that. I could say that it felt like my heart dropped into my stomach, but it was worse than that. I could say that I felt like in that moment I had lost all ability to see or hear anything else around me, but it was far more tragic than that.
For a moment, I believe that the Lord revealed to me just the slightest amount of love He has for this young lady. And for a moment, I didn't see just "another" girl climbing into a truck with a man to do her "dirty deed". I saw a desperate young lady, broken and shattered on the inside, trying to find her way in this world. And for a moment, the Lord delivered me from my hostility and anger towards the man who "purchased" this lady for such a low price and saw just another lonely and deeply broken man, searching for intimacy in all of the wrong places and resorting to such cheap forms of love. Because all in all, we're all the same- just searching for love and truth.
As I witnessed this deal go down though, I couldn't help but cry out to the Lord, "I DON'T EVER WANT TO GET USED TO THIS!" I will be doing this sort of ministry every Friday night for an indefinite amount of time, but I never ever want to get used to this. I never want to get to the point where I see a deal like this go down, and I don't feel something going on inside of me. While I was praying this, I heard the Lord tell me:
"I never get used to this. You come once a week. I'm here every day. Every hour. Every minute. Every second. I never get used to this. I never accept this. I am not pleased with this. These are my precious daughters. I see the pain, I hear the lies that Satan tells them every day and my heart is broken for them. I CRY FOR THEM. These are my precious daughters that I was nailed to a cross to and shed blood for. I never get used to this."
So now here I am, feeling completely inadequate to portray Christ's love to these girls. But in my weakness, He is strong. I realize that no matter how hard I try to imitate God's love to them, my love for them will always pale in comparison to the Lord's deep love and jealousy for them. Fighting against the sex trafficking and exploitation industry is a very discouraging work because it often feels so hopeless, but I will press on with the perseverance and patience that the Lord demonstrated on me when saving me probably felt hopeless and like a lost cause. He didn't give up on me, and I will not give up on them.
I can't imagine what the streets are like down there, or any place in our world that this is happening. But I know that God is in control, and he is using people like Cassie to open the hearts of these girls, and to shed light in this dark dark world we live in. Please, Please keep the girls out there, as well as all those people caught up in human trafficking in your prayers. Please also keep Cassie in your thoughts and prayers. Please pray that God gives her the strength to go out every Friday, and that he guides her through every step.
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.
Proverbs 3: 5-6
Mazatlan Mexico!
Soo, Back2Back has been looking at a new site in Mazatlan Mexico. The site is on the west coast of Mexico, and is a lot smaller than MTY, but there is much need there, and so many fatherless children there. B2B has begun relationships with 5 children's homes there, and has fallen in love with the area. God is doing great things there and B2B has been praying about opening up a new site there.I have also been praying about this, and truly feel that God is calling me to something here.
This semester in school I have been designing a sequence of buildings for B2B. The buildings make up an entire site, consisting of a new design for the Hope house, and LDM Building, Staff housing, a Bodega, a Teen center, a staff kids school and a tienda. The idea with these buildings, is that they can be used for any of our sites, with slight variation depending on the site, and can create a standard across the ministry area. The buildings are a new design, and create more spacial options for the ministry, and especially for the teens in the Hope program.
I am excited to be designing this and to be using my schooling to benefit the ministry as well. Next Monday the 3rd, I will be traveling down to Mazatlan with JJ Lail, to check out the new site, and do some research for possible development there. I have been praying about what Gods plan for me may look like there, and I am so excited to pursue this opportunity. We will be there for just 4 days, but I am eager to see those ninos, and to get back to Mexico! My hope is that through this collaboration with my school and the ministry, we can create new opportunity's and better buildings for the ministry, the staff, and the kids we serve. Here are some rough preliminary designs for the buildings. Nothing final yet, but gives you an idea of where we are going.
Please be praying for God has for B2B in Mazatlan Mexico, and keep checking my Blog for more updates on what we are doing there! Guatemala
After an amazing month In Gualtemala, Kurt and I both have decided that it wouldn't be the best site for a B2B site. The are many logistical things that would cause some problems, one being that it would be very difficult to get groups there. The vision is very different between our ministry and the pastors. Not a bad thing, but just different goals. We really love the ministry there, and what God is doing, but for me this summer, I truly felt that God was calling me in a different direction. This summer in Mexico I worked on a few design projects for B2B, and really felt like God had me where he wanted me. I loved every bit of Guatemala, but I figured out that my heart is in Mexico and that God is calling me to do something else. I have been praying for a while about it, and I truly felt this summer that God is calling me to be B2B's Architect. I love Mexico and the kids we serve, and I think God has put that on my Heart for a reason. I'm finishing up my degree at Miami, and trusting God for the next step he has for me. I know that each day he has drawn out for me, and that when I am ready he will tell me what is next.
I have been praying about going full time in Mexico as B2B's Architect, after I finish my Masters in 3 years! Its a few years away, but God has got me this far through school, I know that he will get me through the rest. I ask for your prayers and Gods guiedence on what he has instore, and ask you to continue to pray for the Kids in Mexico and in Gutemala.
The experience we gained in Guatemala was great and we will hold onto the memories forever. We both want to continue our relationship with the pastor and his ministry, and help them in anyway we can. But for for now, God has me here in school, and I trust him for what is next.
Adam
I have been praying about going full time in Mexico as B2B's Architect, after I finish my Masters in 3 years! Its a few years away, but God has got me this far through school, I know that he will get me through the rest. I ask for your prayers and Gods guiedence on what he has instore, and ask you to continue to pray for the Kids in Mexico and in Gutemala.
The experience we gained in Guatemala was great and we will hold onto the memories forever. We both want to continue our relationship with the pastor and his ministry, and help them in anyway we can. But for for now, God has me here in school, and I trust him for what is next.
Adam
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Teaching English
Today Kurt and I went to the school again and helped teach the kids english with Marlen. They read Bible verses, and they picked things they wanted to pray about. Marlen teaches english to all the class levels in the school. Today we met with the second graders. After class Kurt and I played soccer with the boys. It was fun to watch the kids play, and embarrising to loose against a bunch of second gradeers haha. Many of the class rooms have bad lighting, so we are going to work on replacing them with floresent lights to help the kids see better. We are going to be doing a buch of other projects around the school as well to help out. 
We had fun with the kids today. They are so cute! We look forward to spending more time with them over the next few weeks. 
Monday, July 18, 2011
Finaly Made it to Guatemala
After a day delay, some lost luggage and a 4 hour drive across the border, I finally made it to Tejutla! Yay!!! Kurt and Pastor Gomez picked me up in tappacula last night at 11:30 and we stayed the night at a hotel. The airline left my bags in Mexico city so we picked them up this morning before we left!! Glad they could get them on the next flight. we drove across the Mexico Guatemala border and arived in Tejutla just before 6:30. We had a big Birthday party for Kurt. 22 today, and had some Mexican Tacos!!!
I am excited for what God has for us here this month. we are not sure what exactly he wants us to do here just yet, or if he wants us to get involved. but we are ready to persue him in all he has for us. Please be praying for our journey here and that God will speak to us and use us according to his will!
Adam
I am excited for what God has for us here this month. we are not sure what exactly he wants us to do here just yet, or if he wants us to get involved. but we are ready to persue him in all he has for us. Please be praying for our journey here and that God will speak to us and use us according to his will!
Adam
Friday, July 8, 2011
Its going by Fast!
My time in Mexico is ending fast. Just one week left, it is crazy to think I have only been here for 2 and half months. Guatemala is coming up fast!. Kurt arrived there on sunday. Things are going well there he said. I am excited for Guatemala, but will miss my family here and the great times.
Sarah got here safe and sound. She is loving being an intern, and is having a great time! Mom and dad, Uncle tim and uncle tim and Micah arrive tomorrow. It is going to be a great week, I cant wait to see them!
Hope everyone had a great 4th of july. we had our own party here and grilled out hot dogs and hamburgers. No fire works unfortuatly.
The rain has calmed down and the nice hot weather is back. This week is going to be busy and great. I am excited to serve with my family here! I hope everyone is haveing a great summer. If you could please keep grandpa Geiger in your prayers. He fell last week, and brused some ribs and brock his nose. Also for some friends of mine, the pheisters. Mr Pheisters father had a heart attack and has to have a double Bypass. Also for some other friends of mine, The Axts family. Mrs Axt Boss's daughter was diagnosed with Melanoma Cancer which has moved into her brain, lung and liver. She is only 23 years old!
Thank you everyone for your support!
Much Love
Adam
Sarah got here safe and sound. She is loving being an intern, and is having a great time! Mom and dad, Uncle tim and uncle tim and Micah arrive tomorrow. It is going to be a great week, I cant wait to see them!
Hope everyone had a great 4th of july. we had our own party here and grilled out hot dogs and hamburgers. No fire works unfortuatly.
The rain has calmed down and the nice hot weather is back. This week is going to be busy and great. I am excited to serve with my family here! I hope everyone is haveing a great summer. If you could please keep grandpa Geiger in your prayers. He fell last week, and brused some ribs and brock his nose. Also for some friends of mine, the pheisters. Mr Pheisters father had a heart attack and has to have a double Bypass. Also for some other friends of mine, The Axts family. Mrs Axt Boss's daughter was diagnosed with Melanoma Cancer which has moved into her brain, lung and liver. She is only 23 years old!
Thank you everyone for your support!
Much Love
Adam
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Not to us, But to your Name, be the Glory!
These last couple weeks have been busy, and full of spiritual awareness for me. God has been opening my eyes to new things and teaching me what a true servant heart looks like. WE have been singing a song at worship each night, and the corus says, not to us but to your name be the Glory. I have been learning that in every aspect of my life, I need to give God all the glory. That it is not about us, or about Giving ourselves Glory, but about giving God Glory for everything, and especially for he did for us on the Cross through Jesus!
This summer we started having a night of Spanish worship, and testimony. Many of the teens in our Hope program have opened there hearts and shared there testimonies each week. This fall a bunch of the teens will be taking there own mission trip to our site in Cancun Mexico. They have been raising all there own support by selling smoothies a few nights a week to the American groups coming down. They are pretty good smoothies!!
This summer we started having a night of Spanish worship, and testimony. Many of the teens in our Hope program have opened there hearts and shared there testimonies each week. This fall a bunch of the teens will be taking there own mission trip to our site in Cancun Mexico. They have been raising all there own support by selling smoothies a few nights a week to the American groups coming down. They are pretty good smoothies!!
A few weeks ago, I had the privilege to be an encargado at one of the children's homes we serve. Casa hogar douglas is just a few minutes from our campus, and was actually the first home that B2B got involved with. We sent all the care takers on a retreat, and went in and served as the kids caretakers. there were about 15 of us, and just over 75 kids. Me and 2 other guys took care of the 10 pre-media boys, around 8-10 years of age. They were quite a handful. This experience was very humbling for me, and I gained a new respect for what these encargadas do on a daily basis. Its up 5:30 every morning, get the kids ready for school, eat breakfast then off to school. Then they clean and do laundry until lunch when the kids get back. After launch its homework time and chores. Then free time for the kids. sounds easier than it is, haha. The fact is that this is there life, everyday. They get paid little to nothing, have no free time, and they get worn out. even worse, this is the life of these kids. They get no special attention, or privileges. It is such a hard life for them, and with out someone to build into them, and share the word of God, most of these kids end up on the streets.Like I said, many of the teens in our Hope program have been saring what God has been doing in there lives these last couple weeks. Not only have the been an inspiration to the groups, but also the kids we serve. They to were once living in this situation.Here is a video of two of the girls in our program. There names are Lupita and Carolina. Todd and Beth, our Exec Directors, have adopted them into there home.
Things have been going very well here. I know it has been a while since I have writen, but it has been very busy. I have been working on designing a new dorm for casa Hogar Douglas. it will serve as an office on the first floor, and 2 apartment style dorms on the second floor. I am currently working on an exterior patio design for the church at Douglas. This week I will begin working on designs for new staff housing on campus. One will be an extension onto the Josua house. The second will be our new bodega, place where we keep all our tools and construction equipment, and it will have a few apartments on the second floor. I am excited to be putting me education to work here. We just found out that we have received a $100,000 donation from a company in Mexico to begin the construction on the new dorm for Douglas. Gabo and I are meeting with an engineer to work on structural plans. I am super excited, to do this, and also that they liked my design enough that they want to build it!
I am excited for my cousin Sarah to join us this next month. She will serve as an intern for B2B this July. She is excited and a bit nervous, so please keep her in your prayers! the countdown for Guatemala has begun. Just about 3 weeks out!!! Also mom and Dad come in two weeks to Mexico! Things are keeping busy but as always I love where God has me, and Cant wait to see where he takes me next.
Hope all is well back home. I heard it has been a little rainy in Cincinnati. please send some rain our way, not to much, just enough to cool things down. We dont need another Hurricane. It has been just over 110 degrees the last couple weeks, so pray for some rain!! The anniversary for Hurricane Alex was last week. Brought back many memories. Missed you all in Florida this past week. heard great things!
Love and miss everyone!!
Blessings
Adam
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Cookout at CHD
Yesterday we had our first group arrive. Only 12 people this week, but they are excited to serve, and we are excited they are here!! Last night we brought them to Casa Hogar Douglas, down the street, to have a cook out with the kids. We made them salchichas, which is like a hotdog. The kids loved it and the group did as well. While the interns were cooking, I went in to the pre-maria dorms, pre schoolers, and hung out with them. I played UNO with Isreai, who by the way kicked my butt haha. Then David, Osiel, Isreai and I watched bob the builder in spanish. The three boys are brothers, as well as Jose Daniel. There are four of them, David the youngest only 3, Oseil 4, Jose Daniel 5 and Isreai is 6 or 7. The cutest kids, all sungglers, and just want some lovin! David has a little chuncky Belly, its a good tickle spot!! He loves to just crawl in your arms and take a snooze!It is tough to see the hurt in there hearts. But I know that God has big plans for these boys. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers, as well as all those orphans out there who need someone to love them!!!
Adam
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Interns Arrived
The interns for the summer arrived Yesterday! It was fun to get to know them and hang out. The summer officially kicks off on Saturday with our first group!!!! Prayers for a first good week!!!
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
He will send the Elite
Hey, sorry I havnt written much yet. It has been busy here getting everything ready for the summer. Like I said, I have been working on the work trailers, rebuilding the insides. I am hoping that this new system will keep everything organized , and make things easier for the captains this summer. We will see though, it is Mexico, haha. I have been going out to LTP, (Land of the Promise), several times, we have been building a new dorm out there, and are going to move Moniteil de amor there when it is finished. Mda is a smaller childrens home B2B serves, but they are split up into 3 different homes. By moving them here they can bring all the kids together!! The building is looking great, but still needs alot of work before we move the kids in at the end of June. I remebered to bring my camera today! I was a big fan of the color choice! We have been working on electrical stuff, and will begin pulling wire tomorrow! I have been working on putting in the boxes, and getting them set up for pulling string. most of the holes were set up for a single plug, but now they are wanting to put in doubles, so its been fun put a sludge hammer to the wall to make the holes bigger. although after about the 15th one your arm is ready to fall off. I am excited though to be finally pulling wire and getting things all hooked up!!
Yesterday ten of us went to Chipitine. It is up in the mountains, and all natural canyons. We went repelling down some of the canyons and did several jumps. It was amazing!! Juan, one of the house parents, is a great climber as well as Antonio and Saul, staff, and they were our experts to say the least haha. We were the only people there. We drove up the mountain then, hiked into the canyon. Did a bunch of jumps, some natural water slides, and repelling. The last repel, was down a water fall. This thing was just under 100 meters high. So roughly about 325 feet high. I almost peed my pants. The view was just soo beautiful, but I was freaked out a bit haha. We did the repel in 2 stages because the ropes we had weren’t long enough, which was good because I need a break after the first. The second, repel was 150 feet. The first 50 feet was on the rocks, and the last 100 feet was all free repel. yes free, in the air, nothing but the rope. Then about 15 feet above the water, the rope ends, and you plunge into the canyon water. Scary at first, but absolutely amazing!! I don’t have a water proof camera, but I am trying to get some pictures from some of the other guys, and will show you. It was soo beautiful; God did a great job creating it!!!! Tomorrow I am headed back to LTP for the day, and then Jim and I are going to Douglas to hang out with the kids, and talk about designs for a new dorm there!!
Who is your source? Do you know him, or do you think you know him. I have been thinking and praying about how I use God as my source. Do I just use him for information, or just to pray with, or ask things for? Or have I been using him to guide my life? Have I been using the life he gave use through his son Jesus to live my life, or just read about, and go on with my life? God teachers us so much, and all of it is in this main source of information, that we call the Bible. The first time I actually sat down and read my Bible was about 6 years ago. I was just turning 18. So how did I know about the Gospel? How did I know about and believe in my Faith. I grew up in the church, and my parents taught me. They learned and read about it from there parents and so on. But the truth, and the presence of that personal relationship with Christ came, when I came back to the Source. My Bible. Unless you Read and understand the source, you will never know the full truth. Jesus says, "I am the way the Truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my father as well." John 14:6 Also in Chapter 14, Jesus tells us about the Spirit. "If you love me, you will obey what I command. and I will ask the Father, and he will give you a counselor to be with you forever- the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that am in the Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. If anyone loves me, he will obey my teachings. My father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not Love me will not obey my teachings. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. All this I have spoken while I am still here with you, But the Spirit, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not be afraid. You have heard me say I am going away and I am coming back to you. If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe. I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me, but the world must learn that I love the Father and I do exactly what my Father has commanded me. Come now let us Go!" Jesus talking to his disciples about the coming of the kingdom and the Spirit of God.
So as this summer begins, I am thinking about the Spirit. Who is my source? Who is the source of the kids we serve. Am I listing to the truth? The real source? Or something that looks like the truth? Am I believing in the true bread of the Life, the one who came down from heaven, and gave life to the world? Or am I believing in my own earthy, material goods? There are too many sources out there, and nothing to back them up to. Too many people saying many things. Lots of churches preaching other gospels. (Galations 1) Who is the true source? The truth is that Jesus came down, and died for our sins, not just so that we may be free from sin, but so that we may live in him, and through him. He is the source, the bread we eat, the earth we walk on, the love we share, the times we've had. He is everything, because he lives in us, and he wants us to live and love each and every day and each and everyone, just as he loves us.
The trouble? So when the going gets tough. Do we trust our source? Or do we blame our source? Why is it that we ask God for things or to help us through something, but we blame him when things go wrong, or don’t go our way? See what we don’t understand is that for God, who has everything mapped out, and knows each of our lives,.. He doesn’t create the trouble. What we see as trouble, is probably just part of our life that God has created for us. That doesn’t mean it won’t be hard. But trusting in God to get us through it, and praising him when we do get through it, is what it’s all about. Half the time when you’re late, or sitting in traffic, you’re like, "God just get me through this, or make these cars moves faster. What we don’t realize is that God is working through that. Trust Him; you never know what he may be saving you from??
This summer we have had a lot of groups cancel, not just because of Violence, but because of the cost of fuel prices and plane tickets. At the staff retreat last week, Jeff Greir talked about God sending the Elite. This summer may be small in numbers, but the truth is that God has hand picked each and everyone that is to come down this summer. That in looking at the Bad, loss of groups, we forget sometimes to see the good, the Elite. Now that’s not to say that because you are not here that you are not a part of God's plan. For God is in control of every situation. He has your day planned far better than you could ever imagine to have your day planned. There is a time and place for each of you, and that place is right now, in the presence of the Lord. He is sending us the elite, to help us make his name known among the orphan child, but he is also calling you to spread the word as well. By sending the elite, he has not only called upon the people to travel to Monterrey, but on to you to teach, and learn from the true source, and live your Life as Christ has called us. You are the Elite! He has called you!!!! Will you go?
One last thing is that I stated we tend to blame God when things don’t go our way. What we don’t realize is that it’s not our way to begin with. It never was and will be. "He is the way." When trouble comes, it’s because that is what is to come. It’s in that time that we see it as trouble, and we trust in the one who created us. We trust in the source. Because after all, our Source did say that "In this world you will have trouble.......But Take Heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33
Who is your Source????
LTP Pictures
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Im Here
I made it in about noon on Monday. They flights were good! Greg picked me up frorm the airport and we went and got some food for the week. Yesterday we went to LTP to work on the new Dorms there. They are trying to move Monitiel de Amor there by the end of june. here is alot to be done still though. We began pulling electric lines, and making boxes. Luckly it was a cool day. Today however has been a hot one. just around 100 degrees. I am working on the work trailers right now, and through out the week, making some of the shelves and such more organized. I am buliding a new shovel and hoe exc rack for each trailer. They old racks, everything would always fall out and get all jumbled together. So I am making each tool a separate rack, with a looking latch on the front to keep the tools from falling out when we take them to each site. It has been fun working and going at my own pace. I like being here before the summer caos, but also enjoy the caos as well haha. It has been great to see everyone and catch up. Last night I went to douglas for a bit and watched Toy Story 3 with the pre school boys. It was great to see all of them and hang out. It was also funny tring to figure out what woody and buzz were saying in spanish?? haha.
I am loving every minute, and cant wait until the next! We have the staff retreat tomorrow, friday and sat.!!
Love you all. Ill try and get some pictures up soon. also I apoligize the internet has been very in and out here so, if I dont post it is because theres no internet haha.
Thank you all
Adam
I am loving every minute, and cant wait until the next! We have the staff retreat tomorrow, friday and sat.!!
Love you all. Ill try and get some pictures up soon. also I apoligize the internet has been very in and out here so, if I dont post it is because theres no internet haha.
Thank you all
Adam
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
"We will Rise up!!"
All for the resurrection of of Jesus Christ!!!
Every Nation, Every Race, Every Gender, Every Heart, We will Rise in Jesus Name!!
This is so cool! We should be like this everyday!!!
Every Nation, Every Race, Every Gender, Every Heart, We will Rise in Jesus Name!!
This is so cool! We should be like this everyday!!!
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
With Everything
This is my Favorite song, By Hillsong. It is from the "This is Our God" Album. The Song is created from Hebrews 13:20-21, I quoted this verse in the last post. I love the scripture in the end, how it jumps from Revelations, to Hebrews and then to 2 Corinthians. God has equiped us with everything Good, for doing His Will. We will shout forth his Glory, With Everything!
Thursday, February 10, 2011
God is On the Move.......
“Arise, shine, for your light has come,
All assemble and come to you;
the wealth on the seas will be brought to you,
to you the riches of the nations will come.
No longer will violence be heard in your land,
nor ruin or destruction within your borders,
but you will call your walls Salvation
and your gates Praise.
The sun will no more be your light by day,
nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you,
and your moon will wane no more;
the LORD will be your everlasting light,
and your days of sorrow will end.
21 Then all your people will be righteous
and they will possess the land forever.
They are the shoot I have planted,
the work of my hands,
for the display of my splendor.
Isaiah 60 1-5, 18-22
God is on the Move! and all I can say is that we are all along for the ride. Over the last couple of months God has been opening doors, and shining HIS Light on the path he wants us to follow. The town of Tejutla is a mire blip on the map, but don't be fooled. God has big plans for this little town and the community. His light has be shinning here for quite a while, and that same light has cast over the path of Kurt and I. A couple weeks ago we had our first official meeting with a group of families. We presented the path that God has been showing us to them, and Gods light began to shine in a whole New way. God is on the Move, and he needs you!
We are currently in phase one right now. Our first objective was to bring Marlen Rodrigez on staff with Bethesda Ministry, where she has begun teaching basic skills and English to the kids in Tejutla. She has been loving it, and has seen God at work in this tiny town already! I have been working on school plans, as well as an addition to the current school Building. The addition is a five classroom 3 story building that will help to provide more space until the new school can be built. Kurt and I will be going down in mid July to Mid August to understand the community more, and truly discover the light that God has been shining on us. We will be getting to know the community better as well as working in the school with the kids. We would also like to seek out children that would like to go to school but cant due to financial reasons, and try to boost the scholarship program that Pastor Gomez has already set in place. We are excited to just be following the Path that God has drawn for us.
In a year I will graduate Miami with a BA in Architecture, where I will go on to get my Masters in Design Build Architecture. This is the plan God has lit up for me, and I am proud to be walking it. I long for the day I will serve him full time in Tejutla, or where ever he calls me at that Time. But I am patiently waiting for that time, as God has many things to show and teach me before then.
and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.
See, darkness covers the earth
and thick darkness is over the peoples,
but the LORD rises upon you
and his glory appears over you.
Nations will come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
“Lift up your eyes and look about you:
your sons come from afar,
and your daughters are carried on the hip.
Then you will look and be radiant,
your heart will throb and swell with joy;
to you the riches of the nations will come.
No longer will violence be heard in your land,
nor ruin or destruction within your borders,
but you will call your walls Salvation
and your gates Praise.
The sun will no more be your light by day,
nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you,
for the LORD will be your everlasting light,
and your God will be your glory.
Your sun will never set again,
the LORD will be your everlasting light,
and your days of sorrow will end.
21 Then all your people will be righteous
and they will possess the land forever.
They are the shoot I have planted,
the work of my hands,
for the display of my splendor.
The least of you will become a thousand,
the smallest a mighty nation. I am the LORD;
in its time I will do this swiftly.” Isaiah 60 1-5, 18-22
Have you ever wondered what Gods everlasting light would look like. Does Gods light appear to the eye as we physically see light each day? God says, "you are the shoot I have planted ....The work of MY hands....for the display of my splendor.." Gods hands! Can you imagine God reaching down from the heavens, breathing into dust and giving life. Now I imagine Gods light looks something like that. The same light that moves Mountains, that heals the sick, that shows unconditional love. The same light that comes down from heaven and dies for us! The same light that heals our wounds and forgives our sins. Gods everlasting Light, that shines upon us, and equips us to do his will! The warmth of the sun brings a whole new meaning, and the clear path that my eyes see is just a fog within midst. For this life now sees by Faith and feels by Love.
God is on the Move! and all I can say is that we are all along for the ride. Over the last couple of months God has been opening doors, and shining HIS Light on the path he wants us to follow. The town of Tejutla is a mire blip on the map, but don't be fooled. God has big plans for this little town and the community. His light has be shinning here for quite a while, and that same light has cast over the path of Kurt and I. A couple weeks ago we had our first official meeting with a group of families. We presented the path that God has been showing us to them, and Gods light began to shine in a whole New way. God is on the Move, and he needs you! We have been strategically planning for weeks now with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. One of our main objectives right now is education in the community. There is such a high demand for it there, but not enough resources to provide for it. We are looking into designing and building a new school for the kids, partnering with Bethesda Ministry's in Tejutla. This is a long term goal at this time, as both Kurt and I feel that right now we don't know enough information to commit to anything big right now. We are praying about a partnership with B2B and Bethesda, but do not feel at this time that we can fully make that decision yet due to the lack of knowledge we know about Tejutla at this time. I have been praying for God to shine his light on what he wants me to do this summer, and as I mentioned in an earlier blog that I would be going on staff with B2B in Monterrey, God has been working in my heart and shining his light! I will be working in Mexico this summer from the middle of May until mid July, working specifically on Design and construction. Then meeting Kurt in Tappachula, and spending a month in Tejutla Guatemala. We feel that it is a crucial part of the next steps we need to take, and the decisions that God will lead us to make, to spend more time in the city before any decisions are made. We strongly feel that the questions we need answers to, God will tell us when its his time.
We are currently in phase one right now. Our first objective was to bring Marlen Rodrigez on staff with Bethesda Ministry, where she has begun teaching basic skills and English to the kids in Tejutla. She has been loving it, and has seen God at work in this tiny town already! I have been working on school plans, as well as an addition to the current school Building. The addition is a five classroom 3 story building that will help to provide more space until the new school can be built. Kurt and I will be going down in mid July to Mid August to understand the community more, and truly discover the light that God has been shining on us. We will be getting to know the community better as well as working in the school with the kids. We would also like to seek out children that would like to go to school but cant due to financial reasons, and try to boost the scholarship program that Pastor Gomez has already set in place. We are excited to just be following the Path that God has drawn for us.
Kurt and I have had numerous conversations about weather we are truly capable of doing this. We laugh sometimes, and wonder How and the heck are we going to do some of these things. I m only 22, and Kurt 21. Does God really want us to do this? and God says yes. These days were ordained before you took your first breath. I have created you for a purpose, and that purpose is to share my word, and my Love with all you encounter. In Hebrews he states, that He, The God of Peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, has equipped us with everything good, for doing his will, and that he will work in us what is pleasing to him through Jesus Christ."
In a year I will graduate Miami with a BA in Architecture, where I will go on to get my Masters in Design Build Architecture. This is the plan God has lit up for me, and I am proud to be walking it. I long for the day I will serve him full time in Tejutla, or where ever he calls me at that Time. But I am patiently waiting for that time, as God has many things to show and teach me before then.
God is On the Move.... and your invited. He needs you to spread the news about what he is doing in Tejutla. He needs you!
"I will make you a light so that you may bring my Salvation to the ends of the Earth"
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