crystal clear

Wow, outreach over in Romania has been great so far! During my time in Constanta, a friend Kyle and I ministered at the skate park almost every night. It is cool that God uses our gifts for his glory. I never thought that I would be skateboarding for the sake of the gospel. During the day, though, we were able to be a part of a "kids camp" for gypsy children. They are beautiful children of God... and it is sad to me that most of Europe is cruel to them. Fathers cannot get jobs, just because they are gypsy. Some Romanian parents will send their children to different schools, only because they do not want them around gypsies. Sad.

As a matter of fact, there were two teenage Romanian boys at the kids camp. They were not participating, they were just there watching... smirking... laughing. They asked me to come sit with them and talk... so I did. We started talking and they told me that they came to the kids camp, only to make fun and laugh. They made it very clear to me that they were not gypsy... that gypsies are bad, and they are most definitely Romanian. I asked them why they made fun, and they just said it is funny that we came to hang out with the gypsies. But, as we kept talking about this topic, one kid said "it is good you are here though, because the gypsies are happy. We have never seen them this happy... it is a good thing." He said that we make them happy, and they do not know how. Well, I know how... and who (Jesus Christ!) makes them happy. It was reassuring to me, that even these two kids, who didn't like they gypsies, noticed that we carried a presence... the Holy Spirit... the Joy of the Lord. The two boys told me that they will not make fun anymore, because of the conversation we had... they understand now.

That is the God we serve. Wow.

"For it has been granted to me that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now that I still have." Philippians 1:29-30

It is apparent how we, who call ourselves Christians, are supposed to live. Believing is not enough... having the knowledge and going to church is just not enough. We are called to live as Christ, for he was the PERFECT example for us. Paul endured suffering way beyond what most of us even dream of, and I believe it was because he was a threat to the devil. Yes, the devil caused his suffering, not God. The devil still works this way today... when he notices someone making an impact in the kingdom of God, he will do anything to thwart God's plan; financial problems, prison, disease, and even death. In reading this passage, I realized that maybe my life is not enough of a threat to the devil. Yeah, I am a "missionary," and I want to live sacrificially... but I want the devil to be scared of me. I want the devil to fear God, himself, working through my life.

It is crystal clear how we as Christians are supposed to live.

And later in Philippians 3, Paul goes on to say the he wants to "share in the sufferings of Christ, and become like him in his death." And if Paul was important enough to have his life remembered in the Word of God, the Bible... then what he says must be valid. He must have lived his life, at least, somewhat correctly! We should have this same attitude towards life... this same desire... exact same PASSION to see the Lord's kingdom come on this earth!

constanta, romania

I am certainly overjoyed to be here in Constanta, Romania! Each day, I am struck with an attitude of thankfulness to the Lord, for I cannot believe that he has enabled me to spend my summer this way... to see his kingdom come and his will be done in eastern Europe... to prepare the way of the Lord, whatever you would call it!

We just left Cheb, a small city right on the German border, in the Czech Republic. It saddens me to see that prostitution is a big problem there. German men will drive to Cheb, only to pick up a prostitute... because the "sex is cheaper there." Sad. On a better note, though, I did get to witness the effectiveness of prayer. We had just talked with a woman on the streets, and as she was walking away from us, we noticed a car waiting at the end of the block. Of course it was waiting for her. She walked closer and we began to pray that she would not get in... or that something would stop her from going with the men. She was about to get in the car, when a policeman drove by and flashed on his light and sirens. Immediately... immediately, the girl walked away and the car sped off. Praise the Lord, right!!?

From there we took a series of four trains to get to Constanta... a total of about 30 hours aboard a train. I really enjoyed it, to be honest. I am just happy for some mode of transportation, even if it was super hot and sweaty the whole time. I do not really know what to expect while we are here in Constanta for 10 days. I guess God knows, though... and that is comforting to me. It feels neat to be in the same area that my sister Elona was from. She lived in an orphanage in Belgorod Dnestrovski, Ukraine... which is right on the black sea, close to the Romanian border. I have always wanted to go to this area ever since she became a part of our family... and now, God has let that become reality. Wow.

"O you who love the Lord, hate evil!" -Psalm 97:10 God makes it so clear to us... hate evil. If we love the Lord, we cannot even have the smallest desire to do evil.

prague, czech rep.

Oh, the Lord is good to me. I cannot express my excitement... the reality that God has enabled me to go to Prague, Czech Republic is so crazy to me!

To be honest, my flesh desires are to go sightseeing, check out some cool skateparks and hang out in coffee shops. I am already having to fight even the thought of these things. I do not want my real purpose in being here, in Europe, to take second to what I may desire. While I am here (and for the rest of my life) I want to give up the "rights" I think I have as a human being. The "right" to relax, or the "right" to do what I want to do, when I want. I want to enjoy doing God's will, here in Prague and with my whole life. I know it may not always be comfortable... or desirable from the world's view, but I choose my spiritual desire over my flesh desire. If I go to the skatepark, God willing... let it be only to show the love of Christ. When I go into a coffee shop (which I sure hope is every day!), I want to reflect the love God has shown me... I want my sincere adoration for Christ to overflow here on earth. May your kingdom come and your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

"We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, 'The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.' For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the Go and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God." Romans 15:1-7

your kingdom come and your will be done

It is been a while.

In short, the lecture phase of SOE was great! It is so clear to me, now, how I am supposed to live my life... and how I desire to live. "Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked" (1 John 2:6). Ever since I read this verse last fall, I cannot get it out of my whole thought process. My whole worldview has changed because of the revelation this verse has given me. I am assured, too, that fear has no hold on my life, if I live to the best of my ability as Christ did. For, fear (nor death!) had no hold on his life and ministry... so why should I be fearful? I am not afraid.

Tomorrow we leave for eastern Europe. We will be in the Czech Republic for the first two weeks, and in Romania for about the last three. I would rather spend my summer this way than any other way. I will do whatever it takes to see Christ's kingdom come and his will be done.

I am just so thankful for my family.

hydration

"Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water" (John 7:38).

We need to be constantly hydrated with the Word of God. It is our choice to drink... for the Lord's cup is always overflowing for us... and He desires that our cup remains in constant overflow as well. He is the living water, not just physical, tangible water... living water! He wants us to come to Him for refreshment. When we start to fall away, we become dehydrated... weak... etc.

Anything that has been hydrated contains water. And, anything with a lack of water becomes dehydrated. If you think of this in terms of intimacy with the Lord... it is actually a serious matter. We need to be one with the living water and remain hydrated. God is always raining down His love on us, so there is always opportunity for refreshment.

jonah

There is a song called by Ian McIntosh called Fully Loved... and I just cannot stop listening to it. The title is pretty literal... we are fully loved by God. I pray this is encouraging and that you have a renewed sense of God's love for you.

I recently read through Jonah in the Bible, and honestly, I think it is the first time I have ever read the book. Most people have heard the "story" of Jonah enough times... maybe even too many. But, do we read and discover the historical event for ourselves, in God's word? I think this applies to many Bible stories. We just hear the story and think we know everything, but scripture is so much more than words... or stories for this matter. The Creator of the Universe wants each of us to receive revelation through these powerful, dynamic historic events.

"But the Lord hurled a great wind upon the sea, and there was a mighty tempest on the sea, so that the ship threatened to break up. Then the mariners were afraid, and each cried out to his God. And they hurled cargo that was in the ship into the sea to lighten it for them" (Jonah 1:4-5).

In the midst of Jonah's disobedience, the Lord sends a great storm to the seas. Jonah's disobedience to the Lord not only affected him, but everyone else aboard the ship, not to mention the other ships on the sea at that time. So naturally, in the midst of catastrophe each mariner tries to gain comfort, or resolve the situation by crying out to their own gods. Even today, we cry to false gods for comfort... we cling to idols for artificial love. We think that money will make things better... or music, or sex, etc. God is the only giver or TRUE satisfaction, love, truth, peace. In the midst of struggle we should cling to Him. And, when we are walking in disobedience, we have to repent... we have to totally resolve the situation. The mariners thought the ship would ride the waves a little better if it was a bit lighter... so they tossed over the cargo, in hope of peace.

We try to deal with struggle the same way the mariners did... as Jonah did... thinking that partial resolution will ease the pain. But until we come to the point of total repentance... and we stop beating around the bush, the storm only gets worse. Cry out to the God of the Universe for refuge, and don't think that the many temporary gods or idols of this world will better the situation.

"So they picked up Jonah and hurled him into the sea, and the sea ceased its raging. Then the men feared the Lord exceedingly, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lords and made vows" (Jonah 1:15-16). I think this is so true... others realized the faithfulness of God and repent and give their life to him. God even used this situation to redeem the souls of the mariners.

living flame of love, come baptize us

Last week I just started my second school at YWAM Tyler... School Of Evangelism. It is so great to be back here, and I am especially happy to be with my friends again. Mostly, though, I just want to continue to commit myself to God's plan for my life, and become a humble God fearing man. SOE is basically a continuation of Discipleship Training School, but unlike DTS, SOE is not so much focused on myself. SOE is focused on making God known throughout the earth. To see His kingdom come and His will be done on earth as it is in heaven. In July, I will leave for Romania for the outreach portion of SOE. I am so excited... I just cannot wait! I will need $2800, so if you feel led to support me... I would greatly appreciate it. It is so much more than giving someone your money, but rather a way to benefit the kingdom of the Lord. Please pray for me... financially and spiritually: that my fear of the Lord, and boldness in His name would increase. I desire to be more intimate than I can imagine, with the Lord.

"Now John wore a garment of camel's hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins." (Matthew 3:4-6) It seems as though John the Baptist was a wild man, as illustrated in this passage. But despite his seemingly unusual lifestyle... PEOPLE CAME TO HIM FOR BAPTISM... ALL of Jerusalem, Judea and the region of the Jordan were going to be baptized by him. And amidst all of this "attention"... John still cries out in the wilderness, "Prepare the way of the Lord; make His paths straight." (Matthew 3:3) That is his desire, his only reason for baptizing... for living. It should be our cry, too... even to the wilderness.

"Prepare the way of the Lord; make His paths straight."