Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Monday, October 4, 2010
prayer and fellowship
This evening I went over early for dinner with Ashley and Ross which was followed by the regular Monday night prayer night. It's such a blessing to be able to laugh so hard during playing a game of sequence, then 10 minutes later be seeking the Lord in prayer. There is something truly unique about real fellowship. The few of us that pray together on Monday nights is such a good time where we get to see each other's hearts for the community and the unsaved souls in our lives.
The intent of this prayer night is to pray for the youth in the church and the community. We also want to reach out to the Ellsworth area youth because there is so much misleading that is happening, and it's frustrating to see "christians" getting a bad name all because on man in the town is handing out money, and then forcing the teens to listen to the gospel being projected over a loud speaker, and that is it...This is what this man doesn't understand, the true good news of Jesus Christ doesn't need money attached. He is luring in kids by giving them free laptops and cash, so he can preach the good news!? If those kids came for free things that are just going to burn, why would they have interest in the eternal? So, when they go home that night, was there a seed really planted? They might have raised their hand to receive salvation, but where is the discipleship? He doesn't even take the time to learn their name, or where they are from. He just thinks by giving away money to the youth in the community and yelling at them telling them that you need to pray a prayer to Jesus so that you wont burn in hell, that is not what Christians are commanded to do!!!
True Salvation comes from a heart that has come to the realization of the need for a Savior and that your life has to change, that you need to be made new. As ministers of the gospel, if we are to try and plant a seed, don't you check and make sure that it is doing well.
Wow, i could go on and on. Those of you who know this man I am talking about what is trying to selfishly receive crowns in heaven for those teens that only raise their hand to "receive salvation" so that they can find favor in the eyes of the one handing them a free iPod?? well, those teens have that preacher fooled i am sure.
Needless to say, on Monday nights we pray. Not that the youth in this community would just hear the good news of Jesus, but that they would come to Him out of a broken and contrite heart. We are called to go out as disciples of Jesus Christ and preach salvation in love to the world around us, and then baptize and disciple, for no profit of our own, but by that they would be saved.
We are praying that the Lord would give us ideas for showing love to the teens in the Ellsworth area, and that they can come and learn about the Lord and have good clean fun while learning in love that God wants a new life for them, to live with Him forever.
In the morning Ashley, Justus and I are going apple picking, so I should be posting pictures of that soon i hope... :)
"Then Peter said 'Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have, I give you; In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk." Acts 3:6 Nkjv
The intent of this prayer night is to pray for the youth in the church and the community. We also want to reach out to the Ellsworth area youth because there is so much misleading that is happening, and it's frustrating to see "christians" getting a bad name all because on man in the town is handing out money, and then forcing the teens to listen to the gospel being projected over a loud speaker, and that is it...This is what this man doesn't understand, the true good news of Jesus Christ doesn't need money attached. He is luring in kids by giving them free laptops and cash, so he can preach the good news!? If those kids came for free things that are just going to burn, why would they have interest in the eternal? So, when they go home that night, was there a seed really planted? They might have raised their hand to receive salvation, but where is the discipleship? He doesn't even take the time to learn their name, or where they are from. He just thinks by giving away money to the youth in the community and yelling at them telling them that you need to pray a prayer to Jesus so that you wont burn in hell, that is not what Christians are commanded to do!!!
True Salvation comes from a heart that has come to the realization of the need for a Savior and that your life has to change, that you need to be made new. As ministers of the gospel, if we are to try and plant a seed, don't you check and make sure that it is doing well.
Wow, i could go on and on. Those of you who know this man I am talking about what is trying to selfishly receive crowns in heaven for those teens that only raise their hand to "receive salvation" so that they can find favor in the eyes of the one handing them a free iPod?? well, those teens have that preacher fooled i am sure.
Needless to say, on Monday nights we pray. Not that the youth in this community would just hear the good news of Jesus, but that they would come to Him out of a broken and contrite heart. We are called to go out as disciples of Jesus Christ and preach salvation in love to the world around us, and then baptize and disciple, for no profit of our own, but by that they would be saved.
We are praying that the Lord would give us ideas for showing love to the teens in the Ellsworth area, and that they can come and learn about the Lord and have good clean fun while learning in love that God wants a new life for them, to live with Him forever.
In the morning Ashley, Justus and I are going apple picking, so I should be posting pictures of that soon i hope... :)
"Then Peter said 'Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have, I give you; In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk." Acts 3:6 Nkjv
Voluntelling
Today Will comes up to me and says, so I'm voluntelling you that you are now doing Sunday school Sunday mornings. Haha thats my new favorite word.
I dont know why but for some reason I do so much better when someone just tells me to do it, maybe its a submission thing, i dont know. I'm excited about it though, cause I like being involved in ministry, and I have signed up for nursery lately too. I think I have been being stubborn about being committed, but I'm learning it is a submission concept.
The life of a Christian is a never ending learning experience. I love it.
I'm still waiting to hear back from the 100 (it feels like) applications that I have sent out into the surrounding areas of Ellsworth.
I know that this is just another time in my life where the Lord is teaching me to depend on Him and not my own efforts, or my own means of provision. Will i ever learn? I hope so! :)
I dont know why but for some reason I do so much better when someone just tells me to do it, maybe its a submission thing, i dont know. I'm excited about it though, cause I like being involved in ministry, and I have signed up for nursery lately too. I think I have been being stubborn about being committed, but I'm learning it is a submission concept.
The life of a Christian is a never ending learning experience. I love it.
I'm still waiting to hear back from the 100 (it feels like) applications that I have sent out into the surrounding areas of Ellsworth.
I know that this is just another time in my life where the Lord is teaching me to depend on Him and not my own efforts, or my own means of provision. Will i ever learn? I hope so! :)
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Unfinished business.
I have decided that once I get a new job, I am going to save, save, save so I can graduate Bible College. I have completed 3 semesters, and I have that 4th one hanging over my head, and I have such a strong desire to go back and finish.
Ideally I want to go back to Italy. The Lord has given me contentment during the time I am home, but I cannot deny the fact that my heart is still in Italy, and I think the Lord has me there again, I just don't know when. So, If you are reading this, I would really appreciate your prayers for me as I trust in the Lord and save up money. Also, that I would get a job now that would enable me to do that very thing. I would like to go this coming spring, but in my eyes, it is impossible, so it will have to be the Lord showing himself strong in order for this to happen.
He has definitely done it before and He is forever faithful, so here I go, trusting Him, step by step. thank you so much for praying :) I will keep this blog updated as much as possible.
These are a few pictures from my 2 semesters in Italy...
After sharing a great Italian meal
My Roommates and Maria
Padova, Italy
During our outreach trip to L'Aquila after their earthquake
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