I haven't posted on my blog in about ten months. I have a lot to be thankful for over the past ten months. I am still growing in learning what it means to pastor as I volunteer at Calvary Chapel Kauai. I work at a sweet restaurant (Scotty's BBQ) and live in one of the most beautiful places on earth. I have a ton of reasons to give God thanks and praise. The biggest reason to thank God at the moment is the gift of a wife. "He who finds a wife finds a good thing." She is an amazing gift from God!!!! God is bringing me into the second biggest transition of my entire life: marriage. The wedding day is approaching fast. It feels as if the hourglass as gotten to that last little bit of sand, but continues to surprise you with how it keeps going. I haven't seen my fiancee in over seventy days and the distance is agonizing. It will be here soon enough, but the fact that she is still 6000 miles away makes it ever so hard. The distance has been a great opportunity to stay pure, focus on personal preparations, and as they say, "make the heart grow fonder."
I am learning a lot about the subject of marriage and I am prepared to be rocked to the core. I have read a few books on marriage, gone through biblical, pre-marital counseling, and prayed through a lot regarding my future with Marilyn Huelskamp (soon to be Jones). God has recently led us to find a place to live and this Sunday I can rightly say, "I am going to prepare a place for her." Being a Godly spiritual leader and a loving husband is going to be a great challenge, but all I can say is that "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." Only with Jesus will I become the spiritual head God has designed me to be. I praise God for this calling and I can only cry out for His enabling as we take this venture of faith.
I have a myriad of thoughts I would like to continue with. I think I will just stop so blogging won't be a mountain to tackle. Maybe just some quick thoughts....
Friday, July 30, 2010
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Hawaii Update: God's Calling
God has called me to pastor His church and I have been so blessed to lead a youth group here at Kauai Calvary Chapel. A timely quote from Pastor Chuck Smith crossed my path one day as I was praying where he said, "just get in and go do what God has called you to do." It was almost too simple, but refreshing to hear God speak to me and give me permission to do what was right. As a pastor, I give you permission today to go do what is right and to go do what God has called you to do.
God has been challenging me with learning to have a healthy and balanced life. I have juggled lots of responsibilities in the past and so this is nothing new to me, but it is all very new at the same time. With ministry, a girlfriend, full-time Bible college, and a part-time job I am learning to establish priorities and be faithful to the little that God has called me to do here. God says that to those who are faithful in the little things, He will make them faithful in much. I urge you to be completely faithful in everything God has put in your path this day. Nothing is little in God's eyes and He is pleased with faithfulness. God is so faithful to us and we get to emulate Him in showing similar faithfulness to the little He has called us to do.
Studying God's word has been amazing as well. God has been revealing so much of His love and character to me that it has driven me to a more meaningful and vibrant relationship with Him. I encourage any person reading this to pursue God through the reading of the scripture and through prayer. God desires a connection with His children more than His children will ever desire that connection. I also encourage you to confess your sins to God daily, remembering the cross and blood of Jesus which cleanses us from all sin. Lastly, I encourage you to offer to God the sacrifice of thanksgiving and practice telling God all that you have to be thankful for. This will lift up your soul and produce great joy to practice thanking God.
If you are reading this and you have NO IDEA what I am talking about and have NO EXPERIENCE with knowing God like I described, then please be reconciled to God through receiving Jesus Christ and the gift of eternal life made possible through His substitutionary death and resurrection. Enter into a relationship with God the Father through Jesus Christ, God's only mediator between God and man.
God has been challenging me with learning to have a healthy and balanced life. I have juggled lots of responsibilities in the past and so this is nothing new to me, but it is all very new at the same time. With ministry, a girlfriend, full-time Bible college, and a part-time job I am learning to establish priorities and be faithful to the little that God has called me to do here. God says that to those who are faithful in the little things, He will make them faithful in much. I urge you to be completely faithful in everything God has put in your path this day. Nothing is little in God's eyes and He is pleased with faithfulness. God is so faithful to us and we get to emulate Him in showing similar faithfulness to the little He has called us to do.
Studying God's word has been amazing as well. God has been revealing so much of His love and character to me that it has driven me to a more meaningful and vibrant relationship with Him. I encourage any person reading this to pursue God through the reading of the scripture and through prayer. God desires a connection with His children more than His children will ever desire that connection. I also encourage you to confess your sins to God daily, remembering the cross and blood of Jesus which cleanses us from all sin. Lastly, I encourage you to offer to God the sacrifice of thanksgiving and practice telling God all that you have to be thankful for. This will lift up your soul and produce great joy to practice thanking God.
If you are reading this and you have NO IDEA what I am talking about and have NO EXPERIENCE with knowing God like I described, then please be reconciled to God through receiving Jesus Christ and the gift of eternal life made possible through His substitutionary death and resurrection. Enter into a relationship with God the Father through Jesus Christ, God's only mediator between God and man.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Morning Devotional- 9-22-09
Luke 18:15-17
"Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but when they saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to Him and said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the dingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it."
Jesus says we all must come as a little child. What character traits does an infant possess that is necessary for the Christian to rightly approach Almighty God. The infant expresses utter dependence for his or her every need. We are to cloth our every need in prayer recognizing that everything we have including our next breath is given by God. The attitude of self-sufficiency denies that God knows our needs and denies that God supplies us with our needs in His own timing. Unless one always brings their needs before the Father they cannot enter the Kingdom of God. Another aspect of the infant related to the first is humility of position. The first may be called humility in provision. Humility of position, however, is where the young child clearly reognizes their weakness, smallness, and frailty when compared to the parent. We must see ourselves as we truly are if we are to rightly approach God. We are weak- God supplies us with power and strength via His Holy Spirit and apart from Him we can do nothing good in the Kingdom of God. Coming to God as an infant includes humility of one's position in recognizing we are weak on our own to do God's will. Our smallness also needs to be recognized. When compared to God we are the tiniest of creatures. Our pride would tell us that we are large and in charge of our lives, but Jesus says we must come as an infant- knowing our small stature and weak nature before an all powerful God. We must also, if we are to come to the kingdom of God, recognize like an infant does is our frailty. Even if we are capable of roundhouse-kicks to the face when facing other men; before Almighty God we could be crushed under the weight of His nose hair. God is big and you are not. Last but not least is the infant trusts and can do nothing but trust their lives into their Father's care. Self-willed individuals reject God by making their own plans and refusing to bring them to God in humble prayer. This individual also refuses to line up their plans with God's written revelation found in the Word of God. To recap:
Let God supply our needs
Recognize apart from God you can do nothing
Know that God is big and you are not.
Know that God is strong and you are not
Trust your life into the care of God. He knows better than you do.
Rather than growing up in your own pride, grow down and approach God as a little child. You will by no means enter the kingdom of God unless you do so.
"Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but when they saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to Him and said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the dingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it."
Jesus says we all must come as a little child. What character traits does an infant possess that is necessary for the Christian to rightly approach Almighty God. The infant expresses utter dependence for his or her every need. We are to cloth our every need in prayer recognizing that everything we have including our next breath is given by God. The attitude of self-sufficiency denies that God knows our needs and denies that God supplies us with our needs in His own timing. Unless one always brings their needs before the Father they cannot enter the Kingdom of God. Another aspect of the infant related to the first is humility of position. The first may be called humility in provision. Humility of position, however, is where the young child clearly reognizes their weakness, smallness, and frailty when compared to the parent. We must see ourselves as we truly are if we are to rightly approach God. We are weak- God supplies us with power and strength via His Holy Spirit and apart from Him we can do nothing good in the Kingdom of God. Coming to God as an infant includes humility of one's position in recognizing we are weak on our own to do God's will. Our smallness also needs to be recognized. When compared to God we are the tiniest of creatures. Our pride would tell us that we are large and in charge of our lives, but Jesus says we must come as an infant- knowing our small stature and weak nature before an all powerful God. We must also, if we are to come to the kingdom of God, recognize like an infant does is our frailty. Even if we are capable of roundhouse-kicks to the face when facing other men; before Almighty God we could be crushed under the weight of His nose hair. God is big and you are not. Last but not least is the infant trusts and can do nothing but trust their lives into their Father's care. Self-willed individuals reject God by making their own plans and refusing to bring them to God in humble prayer. This individual also refuses to line up their plans with God's written revelation found in the Word of God. To recap:
Let God supply our needs
Recognize apart from God you can do nothing
Know that God is big and you are not.
Know that God is strong and you are not
Trust your life into the care of God. He knows better than you do.
Rather than growing up in your own pride, grow down and approach God as a little child. You will by no means enter the kingdom of God unless you do so.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
The Island and God's Call
You wouldn't believe it if I told you... I am writing this from the local Starbucks in Kapaa, HI on Kauai. I am back studying the Holy Word of God on one of God's masterpieces of creation. I am both excited and frightened of the new horizons that have quickly developed.
For a little background: God called me to be a pastor in the fall of 2006 one Saturday night as I sat alone in a pew. I have been taking Bible College classes since as I have been growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. Today, almost three years later, it looks as if God's call will become reality. Kauai Calvary Chapel has presented an open door to which God is calling me to walk through. Their youth leader had to leave the island and it looks as if I will be the pastor to fill his shoes. I will be the High School pastor here at Kauai Calvary Chapel and I will be officially, for the first time, stepping into what God has created me to do.
I feel a little apprehensive about such a responsibility, but I am confident in my God - knowing that He provides everything necessary to fulfill the callings He places upon His children. God will grant the wisdom, strength, knowledge, and grace for me to shepherd His kids. I take this responsibility with great reverence and fear. I know that I will be held to a stricter judgment, yet I pray that in humility I can allow God to powerfully work through me as His tool.
I love you all and please pray for me in this new season.
For a little background: God called me to be a pastor in the fall of 2006 one Saturday night as I sat alone in a pew. I have been taking Bible College classes since as I have been growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. Today, almost three years later, it looks as if God's call will become reality. Kauai Calvary Chapel has presented an open door to which God is calling me to walk through. Their youth leader had to leave the island and it looks as if I will be the pastor to fill his shoes. I will be the High School pastor here at Kauai Calvary Chapel and I will be officially, for the first time, stepping into what God has created me to do.
I feel a little apprehensive about such a responsibility, but I am confident in my God - knowing that He provides everything necessary to fulfill the callings He places upon His children. God will grant the wisdom, strength, knowledge, and grace for me to shepherd His kids. I take this responsibility with great reverence and fear. I know that I will be held to a stricter judgment, yet I pray that in humility I can allow God to powerfully work through me as His tool.
I love you all and please pray for me in this new season.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Kauai: Get Ready!!!
I am closing in on two weeks till I return to the lush isle of Kauai to suffer for Jesus Christ. I say that partly as a joke, but in all reality my quality of life does jump down a bit from life here in San Luis Obispo. Cold showers, no electricity, and camping in a goat field don't make for that luxurious of a lifestyle. Those things aside- it is a beautiful place with an amazing climate and I cannot wait to be there.
I can't wait to spend hours and hours studying the word of God again and putting all this work aside for a time. I can't wait to see all my friends again and to see Marilyn (g/f). I cannot wait for what the Lord may do in this season to come.
I was able a few weeks ago to visit Missouri and see Marilyn and her family. It was an extremely blessed time where I got to meet a lot of her family. We went to the lake of the Ozarks, spent time at the zoo, and had a sweet picnic. I really loved time with her and getting to meet everybody.
Also...this last week Daniel Hemenway and I went to the Mid-state fair and had a gloriously mediocre time with the carnies and farm animals. I fondled a few pig snouts, which was cool, but gross. I learned how to judge heifers (female cows). I sat next to a congressman and sa
w his expensive smile up close. I got to pet some weird animals: an endagered Lemur, a porcupine, and a big fat frog. We ended the day with the worst carnival ride ever. This twirling, ferris-wheel of death left us in pain and very nauseous. I was laughing uncontrollably at how dramatic my roommate was during the whole ride- loud exclamations berating the ride in all its awfulness. That aside we had an okay time.
Monday, June 29, 2009
San Luis Obispo Summer Time
The Slo life is not so slow. I have juxtaposed in my mind the serenity of the garden isle (Kauai) with the "SLO" life and am realizing how environments cater to one's desired lifestyle. I thank God that today I was able to slow down and paint this picture of a San Luis Obispoesque landscape. The fog that frequently sits upon the base of our green, rocky peaks are one of the things that give San Luis its special character.
I am having a good time delivering pizzas as a part-time job and the internship through Shoreline Calvary Chapel has been delightful thus far. I spent some time this morning taking care of an older man from my church named Doug. He and I have a lot in common. I love reading, praying, and chatting with him. I taught him some watercolor techniques today. He loves to paint with acrylic and oils. I hope to save enough money to go back to Kauai in late August. In the meantime I will have to remember to SLO things down.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Final Two Weeks in Kauai
I am getting to the end of this Hawaiin journey. My heart is full and my spirit had been ministered to thoroughly. I have made incredible friends and I have established some wonderful contacts. I hope to work hard and finish finals week as strong as I can. I have not kept up with this blog only because too many good things have clouded out its importance. Some highlights from the past few months have been a teaching at a college retreat, family camp, beaches, soccer nights, studying, fishing, and sleeping on the beach. I am so excited to go back to SLO (san luis obispo) for the summer.
I plan on interning at shoreline Calvary Chapel, working to save money, and hopefully returning to Kauai for a final semester of Bible College. After that.... only God knows.
God is so amazing and worth serving with my whole heart. I wish I could describe Him to you, but the God of the Bible can only be discovered through one's own personal quest. Through His son Jesus Christ one may be born anew and through the gift of the Holy Spirit one can come to grow- walking each day with the Heavenly Father. God is coming soon to judge all the works of men, whether good or evil- even the secret things of man. God commands all men everywhere to repent (change the course of their minds) and to trust fully in His son Jesus Christ.
I hope to have a little fun before I leave this place. I am excited, however, for the next season of life. I miss home: family, friends, and the SLO life.
I plan on interning at shoreline Calvary Chapel, working to save money, and hopefully returning to Kauai for a final semester of Bible College. After that.... only God knows.
God is so amazing and worth serving with my whole heart. I wish I could describe Him to you, but the God of the Bible can only be discovered through one's own personal quest. Through His son Jesus Christ one may be born anew and through the gift of the Holy Spirit one can come to grow- walking each day with the Heavenly Father. God is coming soon to judge all the works of men, whether good or evil- even the secret things of man. God commands all men everywhere to repent (change the course of their minds) and to trust fully in His son Jesus Christ.
I hope to have a little fun before I leave this place. I am excited, however, for the next season of life. I miss home: family, friends, and the SLO life.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)