Jonathan Templeton

Engagement Pictures

2010-01-06T15:31:00.012-06:00

Jon and Lorena

2009-07-06T07:04:00.003-06:00

Chile

2009-01-18T21:56:00.001-06:00

Argentina

2009-01-18T21:08:00.002-06:00

Kind of like Peru

2009-01-10T12:06:00.003-06:00

Salto, Paysandu, and Young

2009-01-09T12:57:00.004-06:00

Day ?????

2009-01-09T12:52:00.003-06:00

I don't even know what day it is anymore, but I can tell you where I'm at. I'm on my way to Santiago, Chile but only half way there. This morning one of the missionaries from Uruguay drove me about five hours to Buenos Aires, Argentina, which is where I'm at now. I will be leaving in only a few hours!
This week has been an intense week. I mentioned earlier that I have been speaking almost everywhere I go. Well, I have continued to do so. Tuesday I went to the small city of Young, about an hour away, and had the opportunity to preach. This city has no evangelical church but hast a handful of believers. In the slide show above you will see the picture of myself and three elderly people. They came to the midweek service, which Sergio Duarte runs. They were so thankful to have me there and to have me preach. I can not tell you what an encouragement they were to me! Their faithfulness to the Lord was such an example. One lady (in the picture to my right), Julia, was learning to read for the first time but by using the Bible. How awesome is that! No better way to learn to read than by using God's own Words!
Wednesday morning, I had the opportunity to challenge the camp counselors in a short devotional. I admit that I was so tired from the night before, that my Spanish began to fail me at times. I'm so rusty! Wish I could use it more consistently. At any rate, the rest of the day was spent either helping set up games, reffing games, or taking part in the games! We had an evening activity where the different cabins had to accomplish certain objectives at eight different zones. However there were bandits roaming about! Yep, I took part in that responsibility. Scaring people seems to be on one of my fortes. Maybe it's the Peruvian in me coming out! Anyway, the kids loved it. I'm thankful to God for having allowed me to work at Camp Calvary a few years ago. Many of the ideas for the game came from my time working at Camp Calvary.

Day One and Two

2009-01-05T05:16:00.003-06:00

So this is where I’m at now. I arrived in the small town of Paysandu, Uruguay yesterday morning at seven thirty in the morning. Two days of traveling, two flights, two taxis, and one bus later we arrived. The only really exciting experience during the trip was the fact that we jumped out of our taxi and ran across the Uruguay River in order to get in front of the huge line of cars waiting to cross the boarder from Colon, Argentina into Paysandu, Uruguay. We rolled our luggage up to the window where the cars were supposed to go through and began the paper work to cross the boarder. We felt kind of funny doing it because there were cars ahead of us and behind us yet we were just standing in the middle of the road with all our luggage! I guess we were the typical stupid gringos.
Anyway, last night I had the opportunity to speak at a youth group. However, I did not know I was speaking until I got there. That was a little fun to say the least! That night the pastor also asked me to speak at his church the following morning. That is actually where I just got back from. We had a great morning service…not because I spoke though. This afternoon I am traveling to another small town, Salto, and will be preaching there as well. Please pray that I will be used in each church, and that I will get a good feel of what God is doing in each of these ministries!
The plan for the rest of the week in Uruguay is to simply play it by ear. Plans are being made on the spur of the moment and no one knows what is nex. This makes life exciting.
The picture above is a picture of my flight crossing over the Andes Mountains from Chile and headed to Buenos Aires, Argentina. What a view! The other picture is me driving the missionary’s sweet car!

Facts-N-Stats

2008-12-28T18:56:00.003-06:00

Chile
According to the 2002 census, of the 15 million people in Chile “70 percent of the population over age 14 identify as Roman Catholic and 15.1 percent as evangelical. In the census, the term "evangelical" referred to all non-Catholic Christian churches with the exception of the Orthodox Church (Greek, Persian, Serbian, Ukrainian, and Armenian), the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons), Seventh-day Adventists, and Jehovah's Witnesses.Groups that constitute less than 5 percent of the population include Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons, Jews, Orthodox Christians, Muslims, Baha'is, Buddhists, and members of the Unification Church. Of those surveyed, all other religions total 493,147 persons, or 4.4 percent, and atheists and those "indifferent" regarding religion constitute approximately 8.3 percent.”

Argentina
According to the 2001 census there is a population of 37 million in the country of Argentina. A religious estimate makes the Argentines “Roman Catholics, 76 percent of the population; agnostics or atheists, 12 percent; evangelical Protestants, 6 percent; Jews, 1 percent; Jehovah's Witnesses, 1 percent; other Protestants and Muslims, less than 1 percent; other religious groups (including Seventh-day Adventists, Buddhists, and some African and indigenous religions), 1.5 percent; and no declared religious affiliation, 1.2 percent.”

Uruguay
According to the 2004 census there is a population of 3.24 million in the country of Uruguay. Of the 3.24 million “45.1 percent identify themselves as Roman Catholics, 10.5 percent as Christian but not Catholic, 0.4 percent as Jewish, 0.7 percent as Afro-Umbandistas, and 27.8 percent believe in God but do not claim a religious affiliation. Mainstream Protestants primarily include Anglicans, Methodists, Lutherans, and Baptists.”

All this information came from the International Religious Freedom Report 2008 issued September 19, 2008, and can be found at http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2008/index.htm.

2008-12-24T17:17:00.002-06:00

Another Trip

2008-12-24T17:05:00.009-06:00

January 1st I will be leaving for another mission trip but not to just one country but to three: Uruguay, Argentina, and Chile. The trip is to serve the same purpose as my previous trip to Spain. I will be there to look, learn, and listen. God has called me into full time mission, but I have no idea where I will serve Him.
In visiting these three countries I am broadening my view of mission fields and their needs. Please pray for me that I will be discerning and understanding in each of these culture. Pray that I will be discerning of His will. Pray that I will be sensitive to His leading in my life.

"Napoleon's Musings"

2008-10-20T15:09:00.003-06:00

This afternoon I was listening to an exerpt on the life of Napoleon Bonaparte, and a short quote of his from "Napoleon's Musings" was read. It is a perspective of his empire in comparison to that of Jesus Christ. I found it to be fascinating coming from such a man!

“Well, then, I will tell you. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I myself have founded great empires; but upon what did these creations of our genius depend? Upon force. Jesus alone founded His empire upon love, and to this very day millions would die for Him. . . . I think I understand something of human nature; and I tell you, all these were men, and I am a man: none else is like Him; Jesus Christ was more than man. I have inspired multitudes with such an enthusiastic devotion that they would have died for me, . . but to do this it was necessary that I should be visibly present with the electric influence of my looks, of my words, of my voice. When I saw men and spoke to them, I lighted up the flame of self-devotion in their hearts. . . . Christ alone has succeeded in so raising the mind of man towards the Unseen, that it becomes insensible to the barriers of time and space. Across a chasm of eighteen hundred years, Jesus Christ makes a demand which is beyond all others difficult to satisfy; He asks for that which a philosopher may often seek in vain at the hands of his friends, or a father of his children, or a bride of her spouse, or a man of his brother. He asks for the human heart; He will have it entirely to Himself. He demands it unconditionally; and forthwith His demand is granted. Wonderful! In defiance of time and space, the soul of man, with all its powers and faculties, becomes an annexation to the empire of Christ. All who sincerely believe in Him, experience that remarkable supernatural love towards Him. This phenomenon is unaccountable; it is altogether beyond the scope of man’s creative powers. Time, the great destroyer, is powerless to extinguish this sacred flame; time can neither exhaust its strength nor put a limit to its range. This is it which strikes me most; I have often thought of it. This it is which proves to me quite convincingly the Divinity of Jesus Christ."

Just Outside My Door

2008-09-26T08:41:00.003-06:00

Sunrise out my window

2008-09-11T07:31:00.000-06:00

To Live Intentional about the Gospel

2008-08-30T20:20:00.003-06:00

I am one of those guys that plans way ahead. I try to set goals five years in advance, and if you know me, I'm oftentimes looking way too far ahead. I'm excited about being on a mission field sharing the Gospel with those who are lost. Recently in my personal walk with the Lord, He has impressed on my heart to live intentionally for the Gospel right now...to a life deliberate about the Gospel. As I thought about this specific phrase I began to ask myself certain questions. Questions such as, what motivates me to live deliberately about the Gospel? Or, how do I live deliberately about the Gospel? Or even what is the Gospel said in sixty seconds or less. Part of this deliberate thinking was planted in my mind by an audio book entitled The Deliberate Church by Mark Dever and Paul Alexander. These men particularly challenged me to do just this. If I can not say what the Gospel is in sixty seconds or less, how can I expect live on purpose for the Gospel?
Let me start with a quick reason why to live intentionally for the Gospel. Simply put, because Christ was deliberate about the Gospel in my life. Christ intentionally came to earth to die for me. Mark Driscoll put it this way. "Jesus came to earth to live a life we could not live and to die a death we could we could not die." He was on purpose in His intentions for me. As I thought about this more, I imagined Christ being pushed onto that cross lying on the ground. His bloodied back being slammed against that wooden object. As the eternal God in human flesh lay on that cross, the soldiers grabbed His arms and spread them apart. Christ didn't fight back. As a matter of fact I can imagine Him turning to the soldiers and saying to them as the attempted to force His arms, "There is no need." And He laid His arm down to bed driven through with a spike. There was no need for those men to hold His hand down. Christ intentionally held His hand in place because He deliberately wanted to show His love for me. "For God so loved Jonathan that He gave His unique son." Christ had me in mind as He stayed on that cross. He truly was on purpose about the Gospel. Christ was so deliberate that it should motivate me/us to be deliberate about the Gospel.
So how do we live deliberately about the Gospel now? We don't die on the cross as Christ did, but we do live the Gospel now! I will show you from one chapter in Philippians, but it is strewn throughout the entire Word of God. Philippians 1:5 says, “because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now." The Philippians were deliberate in their giving to Paul as He shared the Gospel of Christ. They were intentional in their actions to proclaim the name of Christ. Partnership takes time, sacrifice, and risk. They joined Paul and spent themselves for the Gospel's sake.
Philippians 1:7b, 12 says, "For you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, “Paul’s imprisonment wasn't for simply his sake or for the sake of the Philippians, but for the intentional purpose of sharing Christ. Not that he wanted to be in prison, but ultimately his circumstances were simply another tool to confirm, defend, and advance the Gospel.
Philippians 1:27a says, "Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ," Here Paul tells the Philippians to live a life that is worthy of the Gospel. The word here for manner of life is literally citizenship. So let your citizenship be exemplary of someone who knows the Gospel. Your citizenship is permanently in heaven but temporally on earth therefore we live with the intention of furthering the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Our manner of life, conduct, conversation should be nothing but Gospel centered. We must live our lives intentional about the Gospel.
The intentionality of the Gospel motivates us to live intentional lives for the Gospel! Nothing else will motivate you as much as the Gospel will! In all honesty would could go on and on looking at passage after passage that points out why to live intentionally or how to live intentionally. If you have a few brief minutes look at Paul's example in Romans 15:15-20 and simply note what motivates Paul and how he carries out a life that is intentional about the Gospel.

2008-08-21T09:17:00.002-06:00

What Now?

2008-07-13T13:22:00.002-06:00

Well, was this the mission field for Jon? How do I know if this is where God would have me to go and serve Him? As I spent time with the missionaries in Spain, I approached them with this question. How did you know Spain was where God wanted you? I found that invariably the answer would always be two things. First lots of prayer, and secondly, just take those "open doors" as they come along the way. So as I journey through seminary and through Fiber-Line somehow God is going to make it clear to me if I continue to do and seek His will.
The picture above was taken in the city of Merida during my stay in Spain. It is of a beautifully preserved Roman road. The day I took this was a particularly hot day, and the mere stepping into the shade was a relief from the beating sun. This road has made me reflect on one main thing...the journey I have ahead. As I pursue God's calling on my life, I must continue to cast the shadow of prayer all along the way. In the picture it is only partially covered by shade, but my goal is to cover every area of my journey with the shadow of prayer. May every step and decision of my life be shadowed in prayer. Phi 4:6 "do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."

Missionaries

2008-07-10T08:17:00.004-06:00

Like any good trip it flies by way to fast. My expectations in learning, looking, and listening were far surpassed. Mr. and Mrs. Albright did so much for me, and their servant/humble spirit was something that stood out to me. I did my best to pick their minds thoroughly in regards to the ministry. In Madrid I spent three hours talking to the missionaries about their ministry. What a blessing! They were all such an encouragement. God is doing a work there despite being such a hard country towards the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Each missionary has been equipped by the Lord in a unique way to serve Him, and they work as a team utilizing these abilities. I can only hope that wherever the Lord would use me, I would be able to work alongside a team like these missionaries. I am so thankful for their investment in my life.

Spain from a window...car, plane, & train

2008-07-10T07:46:00.002-06:00

Citizenship...Merida

2008-07-06T13:37:00.003-06:00

Thursday and Friday we visited the Roman Capital in Spain...the city of Merida established by Ceaser Augustus for the V and X Legions. This city was filled with ruins from the time before Christ. Most of the ruins were Roman but there were a few Moorish ruins scattered throughout the city. The city reminded me of what Philipi must have looked like. Merida was like Philipi in that it was set up as a replica of Rome. They have the amphitheater, theater, circus, aqueduct, and many more Roman sites. The city reminded me so much of the Philippians that I could get over how Paul tells them about their true citizenship...heaven. Those who lived in these extravagant, pleasure filled cities must have been reminded that they weren't permanently Roman but rather citizens of heaven. "Only let your conversation [citizenship] be as it becometh the gospel of Christ:" 1:27 Paul makes reference of the Philippians citizenship. And tells them that essentially their citizenship is actually in heaven. And that they must act as one of such a place. Let your citizenship be representative of the Gospel.

Salamanca, Machacon, & Zamora

2008-07-03T05:58:00.000-06:00

The Last Few Days

2008-07-03T05:19:00.002-06:00

The last few days have been very busy. We have been traveling to different towns where Kent Albright, the missionary here, has been showing us the need for the Gospel in these towns. The day before yesterday we visited Machacon, a very small town, and had the opportunity to sing a few songs and pass out more tracts. This small town is where a family from the missionaries church lives. It was exciting for us to have the opportunity to share Christ alongside them. As we sany in their small plaza people would literally peak around buildings but would not come and stand to listen. At times we would see windows open but the curtains closed. When the wind blew the curtains moved and we could see people intently listening to the music.
Yesterday we visited city about an hour north from here named Zamora. It contains about 66,000 people and is extremely dark spiritually. It was interesting to note, however that as we walked through the city, there was a Roman Catholic church/chapel every hundred or hundred and fifty yards. All of these were built somewhere during the XI and XIII century. The architecture on them as you will see in the pictures is beautiful. And the fact that they have remained relatively intact is an amazing architectural feat. However once again I cannot help but make the analogy between these cold, stone buildings with the hardened Spaniard. During one of our times out in a plaza singing, a man came out of bar/cafe and began to listen. Being slightly drunk he began to yell out, "There is no God. God does not exist." All the time we continued to sing. This and many other hard reactions to the Gospel can be found here.
Please pray for safety as I have been driving quite a bit in an unfamiliar land. Also continue to pray that as we pass out tracts and sing the Gospel will soften the hearts. I can't help but compare Spain to Peru. In comparison Spain is much harder spiritually than Peru, yet they have had "Religion" for much longer. They have had the Bible, their eyes are so darkened by sin and Satan's grasp on this country.

2008-06-30T03:18:00.000-06:00

Day 2

2008-06-30T02:54:00.004-06:00

Well, it felt like being right back in Peru. We had a wonderful worship service yesterday. I was surprised to find that the church is filled with immigrants. There were Brazilians, Peruvians, Ecuadorians, Portuguese, , French, and many other nationalities. It was truly an "all-nations" service. What a wonderful time worshiping together.
After the service everyone rushed home to watch the soccer final (Euro Cup) between Spain and Germany. A few of the church members came over to the missionaries home, and we enjoyed yelling at the refs and complaining about missed goals. Spain came out victorious and of course the Spanish people were celebrating like none other. The missionary decided to take us to downtown Salamanca to witness a bit of the celebration. Center city Salamanca was packed with people wearing the red and yellow all over their bodies. Almost every car was honking their horns and the small streets were streaming with people celebrating their country's victory. Let's just say they are crazy about soccer!...and that is probably an understatement.
After two days in Spain I'm not as tired as I expected to be. Either the jet lag has not hit just yet, or I got enough sleep time on the plane ride. People tend to stay up extremely late and get up latter in the morning. It's something I am fairly used to having been working a second shift job. The Spanish tend to go to bed around two in the morning and get up around ten or eleven. I have not gotten used to the eating times just yet: breakfast is at eleven, lunch is around three, and supper is around nine p.m.
Please pray for me as I prepare to speak on Sunday. I will be speaking in all three services. I don't think I have ever done this. Also continue to pray that the Lord would open my eyes to see what I need to see here in Spain. Please pray that the Lord would work in my heart creating a greater passion for Him and a greater passion for lost souls.

Old Spanish Proverb

2008-06-28T17:59:00.004-06:00

"Whoever loses the morning loses the afternoon; who loses the afternoon loses life."

Day 1

2008-06-28T17:42:00.004-06:00

It seems that without fail there is always some sort of delay or at least a close call when flying internationally. I almost missed my connecting flight in London. Praise the Lord, I made it. I have gotten little sleep, but I think I will soon catch up on this.
On my way to Salamanca, I took a two and half hour train ride through the countryside of Spain. What a beautiful country! Rocky at times, and yet flat at times with many fields. Rome has left it's mark dotted throughout the countryside. As we traveled along I could see remains of ancient Roman walls or fortifications. As I sat there looking out the window, a Spanish gentleman boarded, and we began hitting it off right away. I explained that I was visiting Spain and that I wanted to learn as much as I could while I was here. I asked him everything I could think of...anything from hunting, food, culture and even religion. Catholicism of course is the predominant religion here but only in name only, or as he put it, "it's simply a tradition...something we do only because our fathers taught us, but we really don't believe it." It was interesting to note that as I began to press him about religion, his entire demeanor changed. His attitude changed toward me. He looked at me and said, "Are you a Mormon." Quickly I answered, no, and that I did not intend to offend him. I only intend to learn more about the people of Spain. Then we went back to talking like nothing had happened.
All this to say that it has already become evident to me the hardness of the Spanish people toward the Word of God. Their hearts are as hard as the rocky Spanish terrain but the fields are clearly ripe for the Word to be sown. Maybe I assume too much from one encounter, but as I spoke to the missionary about this he was in complete agreement.
I will be posting some pictures in the next couple days. Thank you for your continued prayers.

Salamanca

2008-06-25T09:30:00.004-06:00

As I have been preparing for my journey to Salamanca, I came across these two verses in my personal study of God's Word. The first verse comes from an excerpt from Solomon's prayer regarding his inadequacy in ruling over Israel. This is where he asks from God for wisdom. My prayer is similar in that I ask for understanding of the culture and country of Spain and discernment of God's desire and will for my life. I Kings 3:9"So give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?"
The second verse I found as I read through Paul's third journey through Greece. As I travel through Spain I desire to minister and testify of the Gospel of grace. I pray if will do so fully and adequately. May God see fit to use me as He so chooses and pleases. Acts 20:24 24"But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God."

Favorite Quotes of the Week

2008-06-16T10:03:00.005-06:00

"The battle ground for consistent change goes on between your ears." ~ unknown
"If you own anything you cannot give away, you do not own it, it owns you. " ~ Augustine

12 days; 12 requests

2008-06-09T05:36:00.005-06:00

In three weeks (June 27th) I will be headed to Spain on a personal missions trip. I say personal because it will be simply to survey this mission field with the intent of discerning God's will in my life. I would covet your prayers for me as I will be there for twelve days. These are a few ways that you can pray for me.
1. Safety as I travel.
2. Discernment of God's will.
3. A passion for lost souls.
4. Incite into the Spanish culture.
5. Encouragement to the missionaries.
6. God's Word to be spoken clearly.
7. Spiritual Growth
8. Faithfulness to God's Word in preaching.
9. Encouragement to believers.
10. Boldness in preaching or teaching.
11. Direction as to avenues of ministry.
12. Humility.

Gas being so high...

2008-05-27T07:55:00.003-06:00

... I bought this. Ok, it's for fun too, not just to save on gas. God has given me a good job where I am able to save some and able to spend some on a new motorcycle...new to me that is.
It is funny to find out how many people have motorcycles and to see there reaction when they find out you have one. It's like making a connection with someone who plays your particular sport, in this case it's motorcycles. I can strike up a conversation with a totally random person, just to talk about a common topic...motorcycles. I pray God will use this in my life even in a simple way to share Christ with others. I'll admit, that I did not originally purchase it with this intent, but now I see a small opportunity.

2008-04-29T08:36:00.003-06:00

Job 19:25 For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth.
Jam 5:11 Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.

"Never shall I forget that smoke"

2008-04-17T07:35:00.007-06:00

"Never shall I forget that night, the first night in camp, which has turned my life into one long night, seven times cursed and seven times sealed. Never shall I forget that smoke. Never shall I forget the little faces of the children, whose bodies I saw turned into wreaths of smoke beneath a silent blue sky. Never shall I forget those flames which consumed my faith forever."
Elie Wiesel in his book “Night” gives us a glimpse of the evil he experienced at the concentration camps in Auschwitz and Buchenwald, Germany. This short excerpt from his autobiography is rendered by many as the moment in which Wiesel lost his faith. . In a radio interview Wiesel gave this statement regarding his questioning God during this period in his life. “It is permitted to question God, even to take him to task […or] suing God. I bring him to rabbinic tribunal. I take God's words and say, since You said these words, how is it possible that other things or certain things have happened?”
In essence what Wiesel has asked is a question posed by many in the Bible. "Why do the wicked prosper?" Wiesel saw wickedness at its "finest," and he asked a logical question, but flawed in its understanding. Like Habakkuk (see Habakkuk 1:3,16,17), Wiesel failed to note three principles. First, the unrighteous seemingly prosper. They are judged in God's timing. (Habakkuk 2:9,10) Secondly, we are bound within our state in time and cannot see God's full plan (see Habakkuk's insight into God's plan Habakkuk 3). God uses men to accomplish His purposes. Lastly, there is victory over the wicked in the Gospel. Christ triumphed over evil and therefore the wicked have already been condemned on all accounts (Genesis 3:15; Isaiah 53:10,12: Romans 7:1-8:11).

Moment by Moment

2008-04-13T21:15:00.005-06:00

"One question now to be put to the test is this: Can we have that contact with God all the time? All the time awake, fall asleep in His arms, and awaken in His presence? Can we attain that? Can we do His will all the time? Can we think His thoughts all the time?"
"Or are there periods when business, and pleasures, and crowding companions must necessarily push God out of our thoughts? We cannot keep two things in mind at once. Indeed we cannot keep one thing in mind more than half a second. Our mind is a flowing something. It oscillates. Concentration is merely the continuous return to the same problem from a million angles. We do not think of one thing. We always think of the relationship of at least two things, and more often of three or more things simultaneous. So my problem is this: Can I bring the Lord back in my mind- flow every few seconds so that God shall always be in my mind?" - Frank Laubach "Practicing His Presence"

The Divine Storehouse of Wisdom

2008-03-24T10:34:00.001-06:00

“Faith unlocks the divine storehouse, but unbelief bars its doors.” - Lenski.

see James 1:2-8

Just for Fun

2008-03-19T10:18:00.004-06:00

I find that one of the most relaxing things to do is draw. Well, playing soccer is a close one too. Drawing is something I haven't had much time to do, but this past Monday I stayed home with Claire and decided to do a little drawing with her since she is into that right now. We had such a good time. I used to do a lot of pencil drawings back when I was in high school. Often times I would draw my teachers...not very good at that. One of the things I enjoyed drawing the most was a rose. I grew up around many roses despite living in a desert. It was my job at home to care for them, and I have grown to appreciate roses not just for their beauty but for ability to graft into each other and slightly change colors. Pencil drawings just don't this justice.

Pieces to the Puzzle

2008-02-09T23:32:00.000-06:00

My life can be simply summed up as a puzzle. It's one of those puzzles that takes a long time to put together combined with a great deal of patience.
I grew up in Peru, South America as the son of a missionary couple. Learning two languages at the same time. Adjusting to two cultures at the same time. Was it difficult? Not one bit, but I wouldn't know any different. God has seemed, if you will, to give one piece of the puzzle at a time, and this life in Peru was my first piece.
At a young age, while in Peru, Christ came into my heart. I remember very vaguely my father preaching in our church, and I recall kneeling by my parents bed and turning my life over to Christ. I would call this the "corner" puzzle piece. You know, the one that helps everything get started. Simple faith took place here, but amazing grace reached down upon my life. What an awesome piece. The truth is that this piece is a little fuzzy in my memory, but I know that I have placed my faith and trust in the risen Savior. The One that died on the cross for all of my sins.
Pieces kept coming my way as the years went by. I lived in Ohio, Missouri, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and two cities in Peru. All the while God work sovereignly in my life. Often times choices were made without consideration for what God would have. This is when I would take a piece of the puzzle and try to cram it into another piece even though it didn't really fit. The best example for this occurred when I graduated from high school and moved to the U.S. I was so excited to get away from home and just begin to live the "American dream." Oh, and yes the "American dream" can be desired even if living in a 3rd world country. So I took the first career that came my way, auto mechanics.
Auto mechanics became my life for about a year and half. I spent three semesters studying at a tech school, all the while working at a small transmission shop. Finally I gave into the Lord's persistent conviction. I knew He wanted something different for my life, but like I said, I wanted this piece to work. Funny thing is that God has chosen to use this time in my life. The skills I acquired are still being used today and will probably used again in the future.
My search then began for a good Bible college, and the Lord landed me at Northland Baptist Bible College. Well, that piece of my life took four years, but that piece carries with it many weighty lessons. Mom passed away my very first semester. I call this the make or break section. The pieces were fitting, but I didn't like it. I couldn't figure it out. I wanted to see the whole puzzle, but the section wasn't finished. I expected God to do something awesome through a seeming tragedy, but nothing miraculous happened. No one that I know got saved at her funeral. I flew down to Peru for all of three days, buried my mother, and flew straight back to school to continue as if nothing had occurred. During that semester and the following, God gripped my heart and began to squeeze it until I gave in to Him and recognized His timing, control, love, and many more truths. Simply saying thank you to God for this brought me to my knees in tears. I am truly grateful to God because He has used this piece to shape my life and to make Him more real. It was a make or break for me. I would leave or follow Him. I chose to follow.
The last three years of college led me to love the Gospel more than I ever did before. My cousin summed up those four years by saying, "It's amazing how we have learned to love/cherish the Gospel so much more than when we first started." So true!
Today I'm in seminary and preparing to go to the mission field. Who knows where that mission field will be. That piece has yet to come. Maybe I'll never see that piece. Maybe I'm on my last piece, but I know that while I'm still on earth I am to seek to do God's will. I am to seek to find that next piece of the puzzle no matter what situation I'm in.

Romans 12:2 "...that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
Jam 1:3b,5 "for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him."

Everyone has a puzzle to work on! Not all the pieces are easy, but ask Him in faith and He will give you wisdom. Not necessarily answers but wisdom. Just ask!

another one on James

2008-02-08T02:02:00.000-06:00

I'll warn you, I'm going to be writing much on the book of James. Partly because I love this book, partly because I'm going through it in my devotions, and partly because I'm taking a Greek book study in James. So it will be no wonder why this book will be on my mind.
Some call this book "The Proverbs of the New Testament." It must have been written by a preacher. James perhaps was just this. If this was the case then it makes sense why it is the book in the New Testament that contains the most commands/imperatives for the believer, and James begins right away giving us a command from verse two. He has the apparent "audacity" to bid suffering believers to count it a joy to suffer. It is at first sight a seeming paradox. How could someone do this? At least I always asked myself this. The answer is simple but easily missed. You see, "God is more concerned with our character than with our comfort, with our transformation than with the trials necessary to get us where he wants us to be," Ware, God's Greater Glory, 173. Each distinct (literally multi-shaded) trial is so designed by God not to bring us suffering but to bring us spiritual gain and "ultimate joy." There is no joy in pain, but there is joy in knowing the purpose of the pain. "We dare not fix our eyes so much on the affliction that we miss its God-designed outcome," Ibid.
As soon as we take our eyes off God's sovereign control on our lives, we begin to focus upon ourselves and our suffering. Thus we miss out on the entire purpose of the trial. It simply produces in us as it says in verses three and four steadfastness, which in turn produces maturity. The problem,trial, difficulty, irritation, call it what you may, is real enough, but it is not reason enough to loose sight of God's sovereign purpose in your life.

"Count it a joy!"

Walther Eichrodt

2008-01-23T12:22:00.000-06:00

"'Holy' describes the character of God as it has been made known to this people; and, as understood in the priestly conception of God, this means him who is unapproachable because of his complete 'otherness' and perfection when compared with all created things."

James 1:1-5 "This is only a test"

2008-01-20T23:31:00.000-06:00

What a sweet day in the Lord’s house. God used a passage so familiar to me to just soften my heart and bring me to my knees. James 1:1-5

Have you ever been watching tv or even listening to the radio and all of a sudden you hear this beeping sound and then... “this is only a test, this is only a test?” Well, that was the illustration for this passage.

Verse two gives a photograph of what trials or testing look like. First, trials are sure to come. As a matter of fact they will most certainly come. Secondly, you don’t just get one in a life time or even just one at a time. Often times it seems like we get hit with multiple trials at the same time. And lastly, trials are multicolored or multiple shades…various. Some last longer than others. Some affect us emotionally or physically. The simple point is that there are all sorts of them, and God permits them for specific purposes. But remember “this is only a test.”

The purpose of them is verse three. They produce in our faith endurance/steadfastness/patience. Trials reveal what is already inside us or not inside us. Frankly trials can show whether one has genuinely placed their faith in Christ. Did the seed fall on good soil or did it fall on stony soil? Was it choked out by the weeds? Was it simply lying on the path being pecked by the birds? A trial will reveal the faith or lack there of in God. The trial is only a test and it produces endurance in us.

Verse four: This endurance creates maturity. Not moral perfection but rather a sufficiency in God. Contentment in Him, and thus lacking in nothing. However you must allow this to happen. Let/Allow steadfastness to mature you.

Verse five: The sweet thing is that we don’t have to go it alone. As a matter of fact we can ask God for wisdom. He is the Divine, all knowing, never exhausting well of wisdom thatwe can tap right into when we need it. But again remember that this is only a test.

So now that we know what the testing looks like, the purpose for the testing, and the way for dealing with them, we can actually consider it a joy to be in one. Twisted huh? But a proper response and understanding for this will bring you to tears. It did to me this morning. THE TRIALS ARE ONLY A TEST.

2007-10-09T23:54:00.001-06:00

Lately I have been trying to listen to audio books while driving to and from school. Sometimes I can even listen to them while at work. I recently finished listening to Homer’s Iliad.

As you may know the story involves three predominant character groups; Grecians, Trojans, and Grecian gods. Most of the story involves the Grecians attempting to invade the city of Troy, but the gods are constantly causing mischief. Zeus and Apollo seem to be helping Hector (leader of the Trojans), while Poseidon and other gods favor Achilles, who is with the Greeks.

As I listened there was one particular line that caught my attention. Perhaps it simply stood out because I had heard it used multiple times. In conversation to a fellow warrior, Hector says, “I am not afraid of Ajax nor of any man, but this I know. That Zeus gives victory now to one and now to another. This only do I fear and this only, to go against the will of Zeus.” I could not help but listen and think at the same time how much different this god was from Jehovah. I was reminded of the verse in I Corinthians 10:13.

“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” (ESV)

Simply put Zeus was fickle. Jehovah is faithful. Zeus may give victory depending on his whim. Jehovah has always provided a way of escape. He will give you the ability to endure it. In essence He has guaranteed you the victory over sin. Jehovah is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Rev. 13:8). We know that God’s will for us as revealed in His Word, and we don’t have to be guessing whether His is on our side today or against us tomorrow. He will never abandon us!

more than just a student

2007-10-06T14:28:00.000-06:00

so i graduated from Northland Baptist Bible College and am now studying at Calvary Baptist Theological Seminary. however i still find time to spend with my family. just because i continue studying doesn't mean i can't have a little fun, and to prove it...watch this. click on the following link: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7741189600027404794
the only thing i ask is that you laugh with us and not at us!

D. Edmond Hiebert

2007-07-27T10:23:00.000-06:00

I Peter 5:11 - To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen.
"The expression of our praise to God will only be appropriate in time and eternity."

lessons learned

2007-07-21T15:37:00.000-06:00

last week i went to visit a lady who i knew was only a short time away from meeting her Savior. we were headed to her home to just visit and sing some songs with her. i wasn't really sure what to expect. we entered her room, and there she lay. it was a tough sight to swallow. cancer had taken over her body, and she now looked like someone you would see from a nazi concentration camp. her doctors had told her it was only a matter of weeks. as we spent a few minutes talking with her and singing to her a few thoughts came to mind. to be honest the thoughts have really been working in my life.

as she lay there listening, i couldn't help but think how fitting death is as punishment for our sin. sure, it's cruel in that it may cause pain to you and others, but spiritually it is completely just in how it works. we know that "the wages of sin is death." it is only just for God to pay us back for our sins with this fitting end. death is like capital punishment in that it detours. capital punishment detours crime. death detours sin. once you are dead you will never sin again. thus it is a just end.
however, we know there is hope. here is one of the sweetest words in God's Word that we can cling to. the word "BUT." "but the gift of God is eternal life." "but" granted her so much hope. she had received the gift of God and would soon be enjoying it to its fullest extent. i couldn't help but want to trade places with her. today she is home with our Savior rejoicing forever more. she is experiencing the beginning of eternal life. i knew her for no more than 15 minutes, but her life has left a lasting impact on mine.

correct me if i'm wrong!

2007-07-17T08:34:00.000-06:00

truth is absolute. but is it to an unbeliever? is truth relative to an individual who has not experienced The Truth...Jesus Christ. i have often had conversations with individuals who believe that truth is not absolute, instead it's relative to what each person thinks. as christians we know and should agree that God's Word is truth and thus absolute to us. however, my question is whether to an unsaved person it's absolute? the unsaved are blinded. they are dead in their sins and trespasses. they do not know to do right, but rather do what is right in their own eyes. Christ even said while on the cross, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." does this then mean that truly to an unsaved person truth is relative? we can argue all day with them by using semantics to prove to them that they are "absolutely sure" that there are no absolutes. thus they contradict themselves in their relativism, but never win the soul for Christ. is right and wrong relative to an unbeliever while absolute to a believer?
granted, i'm trying to look at it from both the unsaved individual's and the saved individual's perspective. correct my thinking on this?

2007-06-25T07:37:00.001-06:00

2007-06-15T10:01:00.003-06:00

2007-06-15T10:01:00.001-06:00

2007-06-15T10:00:00.001-06:00

2007-06-15T09:56:00.001-06:00

God's Creation

2007-06-15T09:54:00.000-06:00

God is an amazing Creator

2007-06-15T09:52:00.001-06:00

coach

2007-04-27T11:31:00.000-06:00

coach wehry has had one of the biggest impacts on my life while at northland. he is more than just a sports coach. his heart is in discipling...aka coaching. one phrase has stuck with me from the only class i took with him. "the only thing that matters in this life is God, the Word of God, and souls of men." he may be the dean of students, but everyone comes to his office just to talk with him, just to spend time with him. i don't know of any other dean that makes himself available like that.

sweet guys

2007-04-25T19:50:00.000-06:00

three ra's, two sweet guys, and one assistant dorm sup. this was right after the banquet friday night.

bonfire

2007-04-25T19:44:00.000-06:00

this was just after the banquet. we had such a blast just reminiscing four years worth of college life. God has given me sweet friends like these and more.
a few events were the following: tim burnt his foot, amy threw in her "twig of sin," and ida got marshmallow on her foot and was bitter.

a simple reminder

2007-04-20T14:21:00.001-06:00

this morning i was reading a few more chapters of Living the Cross Centered Life, and the plea was to share that which is so vital to christian lives…the Gospel. in the previous chapter it spoke about telling yourself about the cross/Gospel. now it hit home on being willing to give to others what God has given you.

this afternoon i was sitting at the commons desk working, and i read a sign for the blood drive. it read, “THE GIFT OF LIFE RUNS THROUGH YOU. GIVE BLOOD.” though the appeal was to give blood, it reminded me of the necessity to give what truly is running through every believer. the gift of life is eternally in us through the spilt blood of Jesus Christ on the cross. this is the Gospel, and it is our duty to give to those who do not have this gift of life.

is this gift of life running through you? if it is, then it should be given to others as well. if it isn’t, then there is no better time than to accept it now.

it has been a while

2007-04-16T23:03:00.000-06:00

running around trying to get projects in, balancing RA responsibilities, filling out graduation invitations, and attempting to have some fun have been the order of the last couple weeks. i have still been learning from I Peter. it's just that i'm reading about wives submitting to their husbands, and, well i'm sure you see the problem. but God is still working in my life and in the lives of the guys in the dorm. i went around tonight asking guys what they had learned in their devoes this morning. it was encouraging to see hear how God is working in their lives. each reading from a different passage, and yet God is molding us into the same image...Jesus Christ. some of us are rougher around the edges than others...therefore a little more conforming is necessary, but God is working in all our lives. i feel at times like a bonsai tree getting clipped here or there, being twisted into some weird shape. the pruning and shaping hurts, but not without purpose.

Life is War

2007-04-02T15:04:00.001-06:00

"...let us cleanse oursleves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit..."

life is war. we are in the middle of a spiritual warfare, yet we do almost nothing about it. we sit and wait for sin to attack us. we wait and listen to our flesh talk to us instead of telling it what to do. we don't "cleanse oursleves from all filthiness of the flesh." we don't “renew our mind.” we don't “redeem the time.” we don't “mortify the flesh.” we don't “put on and put off.” we don’t “abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul.” if this is the case then you are loosing the battles. actually, you have yet begun to fight. "hedges of protection,” those defenses that we so often talk about, do us absolutely no good unless we actually try to fight. we know the ins and outs of our own defenses, and our flesh is smart enough to work around them. so we are faced with the question. how do i fight? you know the answer. you are just waiting for a quick fix. you want the three step solution to the problem! hear is the answer in short…FEAR GOD! if we feared God like we should we would not sin. fearing God implies knowing more about Him...His character. He is holy…separate form any form of evil, impurity, SIN. thus He hates sin. He has a righteous indignation toward it. and sin is what we so often do. daily, actually! when we sin we do not fear God. we do not care about His holiness. on the contrary we care more about our self gratification. stop loving yourself! FEAR GOD.

II Corinthians 7:1 “...perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”

John Owen

2007-03-30T11:35:00.000-06:00

I was reading from John Owen's book "Overcoming Sin and Temptation," and there was a line right in the beginning of the second chapter that stood out to me in light of doing battle against our own flesh. He said,

"Be killing sin, or it will be killing you."

Internal Civil War: 1 Peter 2:11

2007-03-26T08:18:00.000-06:00

I'm convinced that in battling sin the most difficult combat takes place within us. We can live within some sort of compound that creates a bubble from the world, and we can set up accountability after accountability, which in some way hinders Satan, but we can never get away from our flesh. Our flesh is with us 24/7…relentless. Peter begins this challenge by first addressing the believers of that day with a key word… “Beloved.” It is an endearing term, but filled with meaning. It is a term that describes those who are objects of God’s love and therefore will obey Him. “Beloved, I urge and encourage you.” Those who do not have the father do not love Him and are not loved by Him either (1 John 2:15), and therefore will not be willing to obey.

Peter then gives two more descriptions of the believer. They are marked as aliens and strangers. This was a reminder to them that “they are in this world, but not of this world.” While in this world, they will also be marked as weird, strange, backward, and any other term that goes along with being different…set apart to God. Peter understood this and tells them that even though you are viewed this way, abstain/withhold from our fleshly desires. With the help of the Holy Spirit and a conscious decision, we have the ability to withhold from fleshly lusts. Though we are believers, it doesn’t mean we aren’t rid of the flesh that is attached to us. As believers we now have another longing and this is toward God…being holy (1:17) and glorifying Him (2:9). Therefore we have a conflict within us, and we do battle against it.

Here is where we find the internal, civil war. Our fallen condition is prone to sin, and it wages battle against us every single day. It is a relentless, malicious aggression to cause us to fall and disobey God. “Wage battle” means to hold a long-term military campaign against. In other words, “buckle up.” Don’t give up; fight it! What better way to win the battles then to have the instrument that can help you win every time. Kind of like having Excalibur in your hands. As long as you have this sword, you will never lose. We have the Two Edged Sword. But if you don’t use it, then what good does it do you? Every morning you get up make a conscious onslaught against this enemy that lies within. Take an offensive and win the battle by getting into His word daily. Only this way can we defeat our fleshly lusts. By the way fleshly lusts don’t just refer to sexual immorality. It is more than that. Read Galatians 5:19-21 and find a list what these fleshly lusts are.

Claire and I

2007-03-25T21:16:00.000-06:00

one of my spring break activities was going to watch claire during her ballet practice. no, i didn't try any of the ballet moves that she performed. i think i would hurt myself if i tried. claire did a fantastic job! that evening i also watch geoffrey practice lacross! i think i could handle playing that game.

Corner Stone - I Peter 1:23 - 2:6

2007-03-13T23:52:00.000-06:00

Christ is the corner stone! He is the foundation that is living, enduring, and imperishable. All of us are to be stones leading off of the corner stone. So many times we read the metaphor of being founded in the Word of God or even the metaphor of Christ being our foundation. Well, here we read yet another metaphor dealing with Christ as the corner stone within the foundation. We are to take our measure from Him, draw a line from this square and perfect stone. We are to make sure we are square coming off of Him. We so often hear the saying, “point others to Christ.” Though we may be dull, rough stones, we are living stone in the wall, and we should be leading other’s eyes toward the choice and precious stone, Christ. And with every rough talent we have, we are to point everyone to Christ.

He is truly precious and choice (vs. 4). We have tasted the kindness of the Lord (vs. 3) and the truths from God’s living, enduring Word, which has hewn us from this world (vs.25) and set us on this wall (1:23). Therefore put aside all of those things in verse one and be the living stone that points to the Christ!

So tomorrow how can you be the living stone that will point others to Christ? What in your life may lead others to believe you are a living stone placed in the foundation next to The Corner Stone?

I Peter 5:12

2007-03-12T17:39:00.000-06:00

Let me tell you a story about a sixteen year old Jewish girl that lived almost two thousand year ago. Her name is Denisa. Her family had left the land of Palestine during her grandfathers time and were now living in a Roman province. The Roman empire was thriving. It was during this time, though, that she had heard the great and changing truth of Jesus Christ. Her entire family was flourishing with excitement because of this truth. He, Jesus, had only died a few years back during her grandfather’s time. Grandfather had even told her about this Messiah. But this Messiah wasn’t dead, He was alive. He was the only one to defeat death, and because of this she too could experience eternal life. This was a truth to cling to! A truth to fight and die for! She had just heard this from someone. Maybe it was in one of those evening meetings her family went to regularly.

Well, soon a commotion arose in the city Rome about a group of people setting fire to a large portion of their city of. Those accused were people like herself who believed in Jesus the Messiah. It was rumored that Nero, the emperor of the day, was taking those who believed in Christ and killing them in the cruelest ways. The search for these Christians spread throughout Galatia, Capadocia, and even more distant lands. Denisa didn’t believe it until the Praetorian Guard showed up at their home one evening. The Praetorian's question was piercing. “Are you a so called Christian?” The reply of her father was something she had heard before. “I stand firm in the grace of God! Christ is my Savior!” Immediately the whole family, including Denisa, were taken away. They were all placed in a darken cell within the Praetorian fortification. Fear gripped Denisa’s young heart, but her father’s words echoed through her mind. “I stand firm in the grace of God! Christ is my Savior!”

That evening Denisa’s father and brother were taken away…there was only one reason why they would be taken way. Morning came and her mother was hauled off too. Finally Denisa sat down by herself in the dark cell. She realized she would never see her family again. The only thing she had left on this earth was the grace of God. Again those words echoed through her mind. “Stand firm in the grace of God.” Then she remembered where she had heard them for the first time. It was from that letter from Peter. Oh, the truth that came to her mind from that letter! A smile broke out on her face, and she began to hum a tune. The guard soon heard it and walked by to see where this soothing sound came from. The sound was a starch contrasted from the screaming and yelling from above. Soon he found the source of it, and asked her. “Why do you smile? Why do you hum?” The reply came without blinking. “I stand firm in the grace of God!”

Denisa’s mind raced to those sentences written by Peter. Oh the truth of standing firm in the grace of God. As she thought about it she realized that only because she had trusted in His saving grace did it bring so much to her: the peace, the hope, the inheritance! The only thing she could think of doing was singing one of those songs about the Messiah.

The guard listened to Denisa for a long while as she explained to him how she wasn’t afraid. How she had hope from hell and death and hope in heaven. How she would see her Messiah. How she couldn’t wait till He returned. Soon Denisa was taken out of her cell. She was marched through dark hallway. Her eyes adjusted to the dim light. The noise grew louder and louder. Then the guard thrust her into a small opening, and only a small stream of light could be seen from ahead. The whole time Denisa’s mind raced to the passages regarding the grace of God. Her body stood upright as the words from Peter’s letter gave here comfort. “Stand firm in the grace of God.” Without warning the doors swung open and light poured in with the sounds of the crowd…

Will you stand firm in the grace of God, come what may?! If you read the letter of First Peter you will see what Denisa saw, you will take comfort in all that she took comfort. I Peter 5:12 "Stand firm in the grace of God."

O Great God

2007-03-05T09:33:00.000-06:00

This is a song based on the classic book of Puritan prayers, The Valley of Vision.

O great God of highest heaven
Occupy my lowly heart
Own it all and reign supreme
Conquer every rebel power
Let no vice or sin remain
That resist Your holy war
You have loved and purchased me
Make me Yours forevermore

I was blinded by my sin
Had no ears to hear Your voice
Did not know Your love within
Had no taste for heaven's joys
Then Your Spirit Gave me life
Opened up Your Word to me
Through the gospel of Your Son
Gave me endless hope and peace

Help me now to live a life
That's dependent on Your grace
Keep my heart and guard my soul
From the evils that I face
You are worthy to be praised
With my every thought and deed
O great God of highest heaven
Glorify Your Name through me

cheeze please

2007-03-03T14:11:00.000-06:00

cheeze was the one to break through last night. we had two tunnels going, and i wanted to be the one digging when we broke through. cheeze had the honors. we could hear each other digging at one point. it was so funny doing this. chan was making everyone laugh. nate could barely fit through the tunnels. weston headed up the mission. even dorm sups and student body presidents should up, oh and even a few girls came.

Narcotics

2007-03-03T14:07:00.000-06:00

what a sweet kid. he dug like a mad man. exhausted from work, he takes a break.

the igloo

2007-03-03T13:57:00.000-06:00

well, last night after the soccer games, we went out to dig in the snow. there were huge mounds of snow built up by the plows. about 15 to 20 guys stayed out last night working on the biggest igloo ever created by mankind. we worked core and getting this thing done. more than thirty feet long. inside it would reach to to four feet height and maybe 10 feet wide. we all took turns digging and taking out snow. what a blast. who says there is nothing to do up at n-land. so we got campused. well, you figure out what to do next.

snow and more snow!

2007-03-03T13:54:00.000-06:00

who needs a refrigerator when you have weather like this. we got a good foot and half of snow this week. it made for some fun times.

Random Pictures

2007-02-26T22:17:00.001-06:00

A Militant Hope on Future Fact

2007-02-26T09:34:00.000-06:00

future fact...sounds almost oxymoronish, but it really isn't. 1 Peter 1:13 was a huge challenge to me. it speaks of the culminating grace of God. God's grace begins at salvation, vs 2, and completes with the unveiling of Jesus Christ. vs 13 begins with therefore, which signifies application of all that peter has been saying. basically, "apply it this way." gird up or tighten up for a specific action or event. prepare your mind for this action. it begins in your thoughts in a militant form. we are to place our hope in a militant fashion on the culminating grace of God. hope is equivalent to faith yet different in that it focuses on the future. hope in this is on future fact. not on what i feel like today or will feel like tomorrow. what i feel is irrelevant to what i know of God's future grace. therefore i am to take a stand today for tomorrow. this "hope is an obligatory act of will and not based on emotional feeling. i am to have a militant hope on the future fact of God's culminating grace in my life when He unveils His final promise in Christ's return.

2007-02-25T10:16:00.000-06:00

only the sweetest kids ever! though i didn't get to spend much time with geoffrey and claire, we got talk a little bit on the way to church. i can't wait to go back home just spend time with them.

all four

2007-02-24T23:44:00.000-06:00

can you tell i lov e my roommates? bendo is the fourth roommate. the freshman/baby of the group. he is the musician that adds spice to our room. oh, and notice that cheeze no longer has a tan.

buti

2007-02-24T23:38:00.000-06:00

yes, this is buti, and no he doesn't have cancer. it was actually a soccer thing last semester. he too is my roommate for two years. what a blessing it has been to room with him. i couldn't have chosen better roommates. God has blessed me richly. maybe one day i'll make to hawaii.

cheeze and i

2007-02-24T23:31:00.000-06:00

well, this is my sweet roommate, cheeze and i. cheeze and i have been roommates for almost two years. it is sweet to see how much cheeze has grown in the Lord in the past two years. we have both challenged each other in many, many ways. it will be a sad day when i graduate and leave n-land.

the other day

2007-02-24T21:50:00.000-06:00

here is one of my latest journal entry. i just got back from the leadership conference in lansdale... God's Word is so deep. this probably the overriding factor that i learned this week. there is so much to learn form His Word. we have barely skimmed the surface of the ocean of who He is and i have merely popped a bubble on that surface. in one respect it is discouraging because i will never attain a cup full of that ocean, but in another area it is encouraging to see the vastness and complexity of my Savior, Friend, and King. it's encouraging because i can trust him. yet there are so many that have yet to dip into this water that quenches. the girl last night on the plane, kate, merely views God as a removed being that can make her feel good. there are millions or rather billions like her that must hear and taste of this ocean. give me a passion for lost souls.