I am on campus for only 10 more days! This school year has really whizzed by. The guys I am meeting with have been a joy, and I am excited to see where God takes them over the course of the next two years.
I will be staying in Long Beach with the Navigators for at least two more years. Over these two years, the guys I am working with--Cavin, Andrew, Jordan, Ben, Rudy, Chris, Jaime, Austin, and many others--will go through the pivotal years of their lives. I am praying that these years will be ones in which God lays the foundation for the rest of their lives!
Would pray that my last ten days with these guys would be productive?
1. Pray that I would help them prepare for their summers.
2. Pray that God would bring to mind any last words of exhortation and encouragement for each one.
3. Pray that the Spirit would move through my words as I communicate the Word to them.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
April 22nd, 2009
Did you know that I am engaged in warfare?
Did you know that Satan is opposed to the work that God is doing on campus? Satan is crafty, and often he uses groups that claim Christ to steal the energies of young people. A classic example of this is a cult called the ICC.
One of the guys I have been working with has a lot of contact with this group...in fact, at one point they really helped him out with his understanding of the trustworthiness of the Word. But without spending much time discussing the errors of that church, they are very deficient in their understanding of the gospel.
I am speaking truth, and they are speaking lies. My friend is in the middle. The choice is between a dead and legalistic religion, separation from the wider Body of Christ, and ultimately leading to burn-out or pride.
Pray:
1. For protection for me and those I minister to from the enemy.
2. For my friend (you can call him James), that truth will win.
3. That God will exercise his power in James's life!
Did you know that Satan is opposed to the work that God is doing on campus? Satan is crafty, and often he uses groups that claim Christ to steal the energies of young people. A classic example of this is a cult called the ICC.
One of the guys I have been working with has a lot of contact with this group...in fact, at one point they really helped him out with his understanding of the trustworthiness of the Word. But without spending much time discussing the errors of that church, they are very deficient in their understanding of the gospel.
I am speaking truth, and they are speaking lies. My friend is in the middle. The choice is between a dead and legalistic religion, separation from the wider Body of Christ, and ultimately leading to burn-out or pride.
Pray:
1. For protection for me and those I minister to from the enemy.
2. For my friend (you can call him James), that truth will win.
3. That God will exercise his power in James's life!
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
April 15th, 2009
Also known as...my birthday.
26 years old today.
An exciting opportunity has come up for me this Friday...I am going to go to Six Flags with Jaime and Charles, two guys from my Bible study, and Haroon and a bunch of his non-Christian friends. We will leave at 10 in the morning and probably not get back until after midnight. Lots of time to hangout and hopefully plenty of opportunities to speak the gospel!
Would you pray:
1. For discernment on when to speak, and courage to speak the truth with boldness!
2. For soft hearts for Haroon and his friends.
3. That we would speak the truth in LOVE, and love them with our actions.
Your prayers are vital to my ministry! I am so grateful for them!
26 years old today.
An exciting opportunity has come up for me this Friday...I am going to go to Six Flags with Jaime and Charles, two guys from my Bible study, and Haroon and a bunch of his non-Christian friends. We will leave at 10 in the morning and probably not get back until after midnight. Lots of time to hangout and hopefully plenty of opportunities to speak the gospel!
Would you pray:
1. For discernment on when to speak, and courage to speak the truth with boldness!
2. For soft hearts for Haroon and his friends.
3. That we would speak the truth in LOVE, and love them with our actions.
Your prayers are vital to my ministry! I am so grateful for them!
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
April 8th, 2009
What a shock on our recent Spring Break trip to the Grand Canyon to poke our heads out of our tents to find this:
Despite temperatures that dropped below freezing every night, our trip to the Grand Canyon was great fun. A highlight from the trip was hearing how excited the students were when we scheduled an extended time with God into the middle of our trip. The beauty of the surroundings lent itself well to meaningful times in the Word.
Now there is only a few weeks left of school, and we are beginning to plan out our leadership team for next year. Would pray for our staff team?
Pray:
1. That God would lead us to the right form and structure this leadership team should take.
2. Pray for God to be leading us to the right students for this role.
3. Prepare the students' hearts that we will ask to join us on this new leadership team!
Despite temperatures that dropped below freezing every night, our trip to the Grand Canyon was great fun. A highlight from the trip was hearing how excited the students were when we scheduled an extended time with God into the middle of our trip. The beauty of the surroundings lent itself well to meaningful times in the Word.
Now there is only a few weeks left of school, and we are beginning to plan out our leadership team for next year. Would pray for our staff team?
Pray:
1. That God would lead us to the right form and structure this leadership team should take.
2. Pray for God to be leading us to the right students for this role.
3. Prepare the students' hearts that we will ask to join us on this new leadership team!
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
March 25th, 2009
The Bible study that started last semester with four students had 11 people at it last night. This is interesting to me because I was perfectly content with just four, and I haven't done anything to try and expand it. It has just happened. These are the guys that God wants me to work with!
Here are three things to pray this week:
1. Would you pray that my guys would make faithful decisions about their summers? I am hoping a few will come to STPs, a few on missions trips, etc. But no matter what they do, I want them to do it by faith!
2. Would you pray for good fellowship and times in the Word during our Spring Break trip next week?
3. Would you pray that I would have good wisdom in addressing a tough issue in one of the Berean's life this week? It is an uncomfortable one, but after some prayer, I feel God calling me to address it. Pray also that he would have a receptive heart.
Here are three things to pray this week:
1. Would you pray that my guys would make faithful decisions about their summers? I am hoping a few will come to STPs, a few on missions trips, etc. But no matter what they do, I want them to do it by faith!
2. Would you pray for good fellowship and times in the Word during our Spring Break trip next week?
3. Would you pray that I would have good wisdom in addressing a tough issue in one of the Berean's life this week? It is an uncomfortable one, but after some prayer, I feel God calling me to address it. Pray also that he would have a receptive heart.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
March 18th, 2009
One thing that has been challenging in the last few weeks is the need to change the location of our Spring Break trip. Our original plan was to go to Mexico to work at my parent's church--a trip that I had been looking forward to all year. But sadly, we had to change this because of the recent violence in Mexico. Apparently there are many liability issues at stake, and because the students are still under their parent's authority (unlike a church trip), we were encouraged to cancel the trip. This decision was especially hard for me because of my close friendship with the church, and of course the fact that my parents are also involved.
Not to mention the fact that this decision came only three weeks before Spring Break. Now we are scrambling to put together a trip. We have decided to go to the Grand Canyon.
I know that God is still sovereign over our Spring Break! Pray:
1. For Emily and I as we spend a lot of time planning for this trip.
2. For all the details to fall into place.
3. That God would accomplish his purposes through this trip!
Not to mention the fact that this decision came only three weeks before Spring Break. Now we are scrambling to put together a trip. We have decided to go to the Grand Canyon.
I know that God is still sovereign over our Spring Break! Pray:
1. For Emily and I as we spend a lot of time planning for this trip.
2. For all the details to fall into place.
3. That God would accomplish his purposes through this trip!
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
March 10th, 2009
I am tired tonight. I have felt a little fatigued lately. There has been missing from my communion with God some of the sweetness and ease.
This is a busy time of year. Last week I was in Florida, helping my campus director to train some of the Navigator staff. I have another trip planned for this weekend. In a few weeks, I have my spring break trip. I am trying to lead well the guys God has given me.
I need Jesus, not only to sustain me in my ministry, but to sustain me moment-by-moment.
Would you pray:
1. That God would refresh me in the Word and in prayer.
2. For the strengthening presence of the Spirit in all I do.
3. For new depths of intimacy with Jesus.
This is a busy time of year. Last week I was in Florida, helping my campus director to train some of the Navigator staff. I have another trip planned for this weekend. In a few weeks, I have my spring break trip. I am trying to lead well the guys God has given me.
I need Jesus, not only to sustain me in my ministry, but to sustain me moment-by-moment.
Would you pray:
1. That God would refresh me in the Word and in prayer.
2. For the strengthening presence of the Spirit in all I do.
3. For new depths of intimacy with Jesus.
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