Week One Is Done

Wellllllll hellllllllo people. It has been quite a first week. So much information packed into one week. To my American people, have you ever tasted Nutella not from America? It is sooooo much better. I know what you're thinking, Nutella could not possibly get any better than it already is... but it can. Oh it so can. I will say that peanut butter is seriously lacking over here. Oh how I miss you Jif peanut butter by the spoonful.

Something I just want to go ahead and say that I am so thankful for while being here is how I have so much more time. I have so few distractions. I have already found myself reading the scriptures so much more often and really having the chance to spend so much more time with God and truly grow in my knowing of who He is and growing my own personal relationship with my glorious savior Yeshua.  

What have we done this week here at YWAM Urban Missions DTS here in Derby, England you might ask? Well, one thing that has really stuck out for me personally so far is how we really went through and dissected prayer. What does prayer really mean. Interceding when we pray and truly hearing God's voice. It was very encouraging to just sit and pray for long and extended periods of time and not praying for stuff we want or think we need but praying what God desires us to. I am so grateful to have a savior who pursues me and is ultimately sovereign over all. Thank You God for Your incomparable grace and indelible righteousness.

It has already been such a fantastic in simply growing with my leaders and fellow trainees. Our small group here is just absolutely amazing and on fire with and for Jesus. I am so grateful to God for blessing me with such amazing people here that love Jesus and are simply so dedicated to making His great name famous and building His kingdom. Today was actually one of my favorite days so far. We took about a 35 minute train ride into Derbyshire and hiked up a trail alongside a little mountain. After about 20 minutes of being semi ratchet I finally got this picture to attach to this post. ANYWAYYYYY, it was truly remarkable to just walk in the country and along these beaten paths and simply rest in the glory of God. His creation is absolutely remarkable and you know what is amazing?! Heaven is going to be (sooooooooo) * (infinity) much better! Thank goodness for technology so that even though I am all the way across an entire ocean I can still listen to the messages that our pastor Louie brings every Sunday. So grateful for such a wonderful leader.

I want to just take a moment to thank everyone who has been praying for me, and who financially supported me. There is absolutely no way I could have gotten here with the generosity and care of my loved ones. Your support and encouragement through both prayer and financially has made the difference. (Mainly because if I didn't have enough money then I couldn't go to the school)
But seriously, I can feel the prayers from everyone. Thank you so much. My true gratitude could not possibly be measured by any words typed on a computer.

Now, I also wanted to just briefly share one of my study sessions with God from this week. Rachel (You know Rachel. My amazing and wonderful lady) are doing a reading plan together through the four gospels, Acts, and Romans. So at one point during the week I found myself studying in Romans 2.
The overall theme of the first sixteen verses in wonderfully laid out by the brilliant John MacArthur as follows:

Having demonstrated the sinfulness of the immoral pagan (1:18-32), Paul presents his case against the religious moralist-Jew or Gentile-by cataloging 6 principles that govern God's judgment:
1. Knowledge (verse 1)
2. Truth (verses 2-3)
3. Guilt (verses  4-5)
4. Deeds (verses 6-10)
5. Impartiality (verses 11-15)
6. Motive (verse 16)

So thankful for you John MacArthur. While I was reading chapter 2 of Romans, the main thing that stuck out to me was verses 6-10. The scriptures always teach that salvation is NOT the basis of salvation.

"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God." Ephesians 2:8

Paul describes the deeds of two distinct groups: the redeemed (verses 7 and 10) and the unredeemed (verses 8 and 9). The deeds of the redeemed are not the basis of their salvation but the evidence of it. We are not perfect by any means and in fact are prone to sin, but there is undeniable evidence of righteousness in their lives. James 2:14-20 plainly in black and white tells us this. We have a call from God. That call may not all be the same for everyone. Not everyone is a pastor. Not everyone is called to go live in Africa in a hut and preach the gospel to people who have never heard the name of Jesus. However, we all are made to glorify God in absolutely everything. He is the only One that is deserving of the glory in anything in life. I greatly encourage you all to read Romans 2 with the outline of the principles of divine judgment written above and study it that way. I know for me it made reading and studying this particular portion of scripture much more effective and purposeful.

Thanks again to all who have been praying and interceding in this season of my life! I love you all.

I MADE IT TO ENGLAND

Wow. I made it to England in one piece yesterday! Barely though. I made my train from London to Derby by approximate 31 seconds. The journey was a little hectic and difficult but the goodbyes were way more difficult. I, so thankfully, got to see my father that morning before I left later that night. I miss him so much. From playing golf together to just hanging out and watching Seinfeld episodes we have seen probably 150 times it is just hanging out with you I miss. My airport escorts were fantastic and kept me calm (until we all started crying) while going through security. My amazing big bro Jonathan, his girlfriend Brooke (aka B.I.L-that means Bae in Law), my bae whom I love with all my heart Rachel, my hilarious step-dad Chuck, and last but by no means least, my incredible mother who has been by my side since I entered this world. I mostly call her mom. I can't describe how much I miss you all, but we will be reunited at Christmas and then again for good in June. 

In no way does this mean I wish I wasn't here. We all knew the day and the tears were coming. I am so grateful for all of you and am so so grateful for the technology of iMessage, wifi, and FaceTime that allows me to communicate with all of you. Being involved in missions means sacrificing things. This time that sacrifice means time with family and my bae. I love you all so much but I will see you soon!
Now, as for the first couple of days here in Derby, I am so elated at everything that is going on. Everyone on the team, including the leaders of course, is so in love with Jesus and have a heart to tell the world of the gospel. I am so grateful to God in bringing all of this to fruition and making this a part of "my dash". We have really just been getting to know each other the first couple of days here at the house and it's been so fun! We even went on a tour of the city of Derby and I am already in love. I can't wait to taste some of the local food on weekends and not to mention the big festival this weekend! I have no idea what the festival consists of but it will be smashing I am sure. I'm trying to work on my English slang. My leaders informed me of the local places that do lots of open mic nights so maybe I will even get to spread the beauty and perfection of the gospel in my favorite way.


I wanted to also share my quiet time form 1 John this morning with the handful of you that will read this.


1 John 1 from the NAS reads: "What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life—and the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us—what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete. This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us."

One of my favorite things from this entire chapter is located in verse 4. "These things we write, so that our joy may be complete." One of the main purposes for John is to create joy in His readers. In this chapter of the bible we are directly exposed to the true purpose of fellowship. I love how John shares on fellowship. Fellowship in this context is certainly not simply a social construct in which people gather together to enjoy each others company. What is the fellowship here? Well it is an eternity with Christ. "...so that you may too have fellowship with US." John is writing about Him and the other disciples who write and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. However, our fellowship is not simply with those we know in this life. Our fellowship with fellow believers is wrapped up in an eternity with The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. That is exactly what salvation has done for you. IS THAT NOT SO DOPE? Well let me answer for you. Yes. Yes it is.

How did you enter into this fellowship? By common faith. We all share the same faith in the same God and in the same savior. Titus 1:4 tells us that. That is where there has been some confusion possibly for some in verse 6 and verse 7. A genuine Christian walks habitually in the light (holiness and truth), not in darkness (falsehood and sin). A Christian with genuine faith cannot be the bond-servant to two masters-sin and Jesus. I feel that verse 6 and 7 is talking to non believers for I feel that would bring contradiction to the verse in Titus and other passages. Most specifically, to me at least, 1 Thessalonians 5:4-5. "But you brethren are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief; for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor darkness." This tells us that there is no such thing as a believer who walks in darkness. This is even more support for the perseverance of the saints as well. A genuine believer cannot ever lose his or her faith. 

Wow. That is such a beautiful promise to any believer and brings encouragement and truth. We may sin now and then (I know I do) but we still walk in the light. We will forever walk in the light. Once in the light, always in the light. Well John has succeeded at bringing me joy for sure. THANKS JOHN! I can't wait to be in fellowship with you brother.

So that is it for now folks. I love you all very much and will talk to you next saturday. Have a fantastic week tomorrow and bring a friend to church tomorrow! We don't want to just fill churches with those walking in the light. We need those who are currently in the darkness and without Jesus to fill up seats. Love you!

We Won't Go. We Don't Know When To Quit.

HI!!! (Talking to the handful of those reading these words)

I took a slight break from posting and I have missed it very much. I have been very careful with social media recently. The only thing I have not given up until September of 2015 is this blog and posting the link to this blog whenever I post. YWAM is so close!! Seven days to be exact. I am so excited to see where God takes me and how my relationship grows with Him in the next nine month chapter of my life. I will greatly miss everyone that I am leaving for a short period in my life, but I know that this is where God is leading me and I am grateful for the chance to experience Him and share Him to a whole new culture of people.

The finance situation is going pretty well. It looks like I should have enough money to actually... you know go to YWAM in Derby, England. I am so so so so so grateful to all of those who have aided me in the fundraising and have so generously donated to the cause. Speaking of thank you cards. I am so glad that my mother has made me do thank you cards over the years because I can now have a true appreciation as to why we do them. I have had a handful of people tell me how much they appreciated the thank you card I sent them and I was like, "Really? That little card? Wow." So my children will for sure be doing them as well. Sorry kids, I know they are a pain when you're little and it seems like suuuuch a chore but you will do them.

Oh one more quick little tangent. Have you ever looked at cows and been like, "How in the world did we discover that we could drink their milk?" Cause I certainly do that every single time I look at a cow.

Just a quick shoutout to Rachel Gray aka my super fine and Jesus loving girlfriend. You're the best and I will miss you so much.

In case you're wondering where that title came from, it comes from a song written by easily the greatest secular band ever. Fall Out Boy. In the song Patrick Stump and Elton John sing about saving rock and roll. One of the lyrics states, "Oh no! We won't go! We don't know when to quit no no!" They will not stop trying to make killer rock and roll music. Ever. No matter what anyone ever says to them about their music they will never quit. Now what would be interesting is if the church adopted this mentality with the gospel. Wherever we go and whomever we come into contact with, represent Jesus and give Him the highest glory. The Holy Scriptures are very clear about how we should go about living our lives in terms of spreading the gospel.

"And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come." Matthew 24:14

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit." Matthew 28:19

"Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth-to every nation, tribe tongue, and people-to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people-saying with a loud voice, 'Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgement has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.'"
Revelation 14:6-7.

That is the meaning of life RIGHT THERE. Revelation 14:6-7 has the meaning of life written so clearly. "Fear God and give glory to Him..." That. Is. It. All throughout time people have been looking for the meaning of life through anything. Sex. Money. Drugs. Relationships. Their careers. Cars. Any material possession imaginable. Whatever. But here we have John, who was about 92 at the time of writing this text, has it written clearly and concisely about what the meaning of life is. "Fear God and give glory to Him..."

There really is no gray area in the Holy Scriptures about spreading the glory and name of Jesus to the world. Recently at Passion City Church, our pastor has been talking about life and death. One of the things he recently talked about was DJ Snake and Lil Jon. If you aren't familiar with the song DJ Snake and Lil Jon, then you really don't have to be because you aren't missing much. However, Louie pointed out one thing that will stick with many for a long time. Their song "Turn Down For What" has a message in there that the church desperately needs to adopt. The phrase turn down for what belongs to the world with this "YOLO" mentality. That is exactly it. YOLO. God gave us one lifetime to remain within His will and do what He has called us to do. So when it comes to Jesus and sharing the gospel, Turn Down For What? NOTHING.