Beauty of Creation

Back on the weekend of July 4th, I had two days off. Two of my only days off all summer. So on Friday, July 3rd, I went hiking with Jesse, one of the college students in Emerge who is quickly becoming a good friend. The weather was perfect. Around 78-80 degrees, sunny, nice breeze, and clear skies. (not quite the average July day I'm used to, but there are no complaints here) We only hiked for around 3 or 4 hours, but it was great. Just Jesse and I, our Nalgene's, and the Red River Gorge. I've posted some of the photos I took below.

In addition to the view, I thoroughly enjoyed simply being outside; something I have not had the opportunity to do much of this summer. Jesse and I had some great conversation, took a few "adventurous detours," (and I didn't get injured for all of you who doubt my ability to stay safe) ate some great pizza, and were simply able to enjoy life. I look forward to future opportunities to explore Red River Gorge and possibly take some of the Emerge peeps on a camping trip in the fall.



Can you imagine living down there?


It's hard to tell, but the next two pics were taken when we climbed down in the crevice you see in the above picture.

Jesse



This was a fun climb

Praise Him for all that He has made. I've missed the water, the beach, and the south all summer long. Spending the day hiking with all of these views made me remember and think back to my summer working at Camp Rockmont and taking all of the boys camping up on the mountain. Still, this was truly a great day.

I'm weird

No seriously. I am a rather unusual person. At least in terms of my medical history. Just read through some of my previous post if you think I'm exaggerating.

On Monday, I had to go for an eye exam so that I could order more contacts and get new lenses for my glasses. While completing the exam, the doctor spent a long while looking into my right eye. She dilated it more than normal to allow her to get a better view inside of my eye. (this "extra dilation" will be the source of a future post...be excited!)

After several minutes of thorough investigation, she began asking questions and a few red flags began to rise in my mind. Essentially she had spotted a place in my right eye that worried her. She has decided to wait and have me return in 3 months to follow-up and she appears certain that it is nothing for me to worry about. Therefore I am not worried. After getting the results of my follow-up exam; however, I will find out whether or not I have what initially concerned her...Eye cancer.

Say what? That's right. Eye Cancer.

Again, after asking her many questions, I am very confident that I do not have "eye cancer" and that there is simply something WEIRD going on in my eye. My vision has not been affected and there is no Coconut in my eye. But seriously folks...don't you just want to laugh? I mean I do. And I have.

I in no way want to laugh at cancer and the destruction and turmoil it has caused and continues to create in millions of peoples' lives. But of course, if I were going to get cancer, it would be eye cancer. Not something "normal" or a type of cancer that you have thought about before. No. I have to be weird. I would be the unusual case of the guy with eye cancer.

I mean seriously. The "mass," malaria, allergic to coconut, hernia, bad knees, expert on crutches, experienced dialysis patient, exposed to TB...
I'm sure most of you don't even know what all of those refer to. Yet, that's part of my medical history. And possibly one more.

As I am sure He is doing for me, May the Lord continue to care for and heal your every disease. And may you continue to trust Him, ask Him, and believe Him for healing. I mean, He takes care of weird-O's like me!

Where you live

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord...." How often have you heard this passage quoted? It is a great promise of the Lord and is often quoted to be an encouragement for fellow believers to have hope and trust in the will of God.

I wonder how many people know the context of this passage and its implication for its original audience. Throughout the many times I have heard this verse (Jer. 29:11) quoted and referenced as an encouragement, it always seems to carry the connotation of waiting on the Lord. And the concept of waiting often inadvertently carries the notion of inaction or causeless living.

When Jeremiah wrote this letter to the Jews who were living in exile in Babylon, he was implying a very different reality. On the one hand, this letter was to encourage them to continue believing in the promises of God, that He would deliver them out of exile and bring them back to Israel. Jeremiah wanted to remind the exilic Jews who they were and that God was still in control. And his encouragement comes in these most famous words. (Jeremiah 29:10-14)

However, before he encourages them with these words, Jeremiah gives the Jews instructions on how to live as exiles in Babylon. He tells them to live! To build homes, marry, reproduce, grow crops, etc. (Jer. 29:4-6) Next, he tells them something which at first glance may seem somewhat unexpected.

"Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper." (Jer. 29:7)

The Jews are not to just wait, apathetically. Yes, the Lord will faithfully bring them out of exile. But until He does so, they are to seek the welfare and prosperity of Babylon. Their waiting is not to be an inactive waiting.

So, why am I sharing this? Seminary is a great place. There is so much brokenness, transformation, growing, learning, questioning, and kingdom building that takes place here. Quite often, though, I have heard people suggest that seminary can just be a time of "waiting" and allowing the Lord to prepare us for the places to which He will take us. (note: I am by no means attempting to equate seminary with Babylon) However, I believe there is more that He would ask of us. We are called to seek the welfare and peace of the places where we live.

Like myself, some of you are in seasons of your life which are somewhat temporary. You aren't living in the same city that you will be living in five years down the road. You aren't working at the job from which you will retire. You aren't living with the friends and family that you will grow old with. Yet, you are called to live!

During the three, four, or five years that I will be here in Kentucky, the Lord asks of me to trust Him. To believe that He has a plan and purpose for my life. A plan for prosperity and not of harm. A plan for family, community, friends, and the advancement of the Kingdom. He asks that I believe that He will hear me when I pray and that when I seek Him I will find Him.

But He also asks that I seek the peace and welfare of Wilmore. The peace and prosperity of Lexington. And with the gifts and talents that I have humbly been given, that will partly be played out in this great new opportunity I have to serve as the Director of Young Adult Ministries at Trinity Hill. I am so excited about Emerge. And there are so many ways in which I will be able to seek the peace and prosperity of this city by seeing these men and women walking in the truth of our Lord Jesus Christ.

What about you? Where will you be living in a few years? What job are you supposed to take? Who are you supposed to marry? (maybe that's a question only I'm still trying to answer) Don't fear. The Lord has great plans for your future...but in the meantime, LIVE where you are. Be used by Him now. Fight for the Kingdom to come in the community where you are. I'm convinced that as we seek for the welfare of the places the Lord has us, the promises He has for our futures will begin to unfold before us.

Regardless of how "settled" or "unsettled" you are in life, May you seek the peace and prosperity where you are! Pray for the community in which you live. Watch the Lord work in and through you. And as you remember the promises of the Lord, such as this famous one found in Jeremiah 29, also remember the calling of the Lord that accompanies it. His promise to you is not only for you. It is for all His people.

True Worship

Majesty in the sanctuary must become mercy in the streets or our worship is fraudulent.
~J.D. Walt

Worship vs. Worship experience

I love worship.

Both individual and corporate.

A solid chunk of time spent with a community of believers expressing adoration, thanksgiving, humility, and honor to God is a really powerful time. Most Christians can probably recall a specific situation or type of environment of worship in which they were "most able to connect with God." Remembering that worship is not about us at all and that it is all about God is very important. Still, certain people are best able to express their heart to God in particular ways. Whether it be through song, through dance, through painting, etc...

Granted, we are not called to specific styles or times of worship. Rather, we are called to a lifestyle of worship. However, the reality is that most of us, while able to engage in adoration of God regardless of "style," have specific tendencies and preferences of ways we worship. (While realizing the ongoing conversation/discussion over "styles of worship" and the ridiculous problems that it can create, this post is not about that at all.)

A wonderful friend of mine is a great worship leader. I could listen to him worship the Lord for hours and it would be so natural for me to join into worship with him. Regardless of which instrument he is playing, I just love his heart and desire to worship. Over the past few years, we have both been placed in new situations in which there has been a decrease of or lack of corporate worship from what we have previously known.

I recently was talking with my friend about this. His words were simple, "I really miss corporate worship." Now, he is more than able to sit down with his guitar or the piano and connect with the Lord at any given moment. He is also able to worship with friends, although their worship is in another language. And his sentiment is, "I miss the experience of a community of Christ-lovers, speaking my own language, with whom I can join in a time of adoration of our God." I can relate to that sentiment on many levels, as I'm sure you can also.

A few days after having this conversation, I was listening to a CD with some worship songs my friend had recorded a few years ago. Some of the songs were ones he had written himself. As I listened to him sing his heart to the Lord, I began to realize something. At the moment when he was recording those songs, he was fully engaged in worship. As I listened to the CD, my heart began to engage in worship. Yet, both of those moments were not worship. They were worship experiences. Worship is a present oriented reality. Both of those times spent were now only an experience of worship. This explains how my friend can be so gifted to lead worship, record worship songs, and even spend personal time in worship himself, and yet still have feelings of, "I miss worship." This explains how at the same time I can listen to my a recording of my friend worshipping and simultaneously have a conversation with him in which he "misses" worship.

Worship is about now. It is about connecting with God. And regardless of style or past experiences of worship, we were created for a lifestyle of worship right now. Worship experiences are great. Lives can be transformed. Hearts can be renewed. Souls can be refreshed. Callings can be discerned. And yet, if we are not currently worshipping, we find ourselves lacking. We find ourselves wanting more times of worship.

I pray that you are surrounded by a community of believers whom you can join in adoration to God. I pray that as you worship the Lord, that the Holy Spirit would inhabit your praises. I pray that in the areas in which you "miss worship," that the Lord would provide you new outlets to worship Him. May you constantly create worship experiences as you live a life of worship before your Father in Heaven. And may you never be satisfied with the experiences of worship from your past.

Irony

This has been a very full week for me. In addition to my 40 hours at the library, I have enjoyed quite a few "extras" this week.

First of all, I was blessed beyond belief by several friends. (see previous post)

In addition, this past Monday night was my first worship service at Emerge. We are studying the book of Philippians this summer. However, this past week we had a great time of worship and I shared a message with them about the joy of friendship with God (John 3: 27-30). I thoroughly enjoyed the night, and can only hope the same can be said by all of them. I must note that any transition can be difficult. This group of college and young adults has had to say good-bye to an incredible friend and minister and hope that whoever follows in his footsteps will be a great fit for them. While I empathize with them, I also must make mention of how loving, embracing, and supportive they have all been of me thus far. In time, I know that my giftings and strengths will find their place in and for this ministry. For now, I'm am simply finding enjoyment in meeting so many new friends and becoming a part of this community.

Furthermore, three friends from the Wesley Foundation at UGA in Athens were in town this week to take an intensive course at the seminary. It was so nice to seem familiar faces. On Wednesday night, I was honored to have the three of them, along with three friends from here in Wilmore, over for dinner and a great night of fellowship. Life shared together is life fully lived. Wednesday night was a great example of that. They have since left town. I look forward to seeing each of them again soon.

This weekend, I was able to hang out with some of the college students and young adults from Emerge for one of their birthday parties. Also, I've enjoyed the opportunity to sit down with the previous Young Adult Director before he leaves town to discuss the ministry and learn from his experience and share ideas with him. What a great value for me.

Also, when giving blood today at the public library, I was automatically entered into a drawing for a new car. The local blood bank gives away a car each summer. If I won a new car, I honestly don't know what I would do. I hope the person who needs it the most will be blessed to win it, whoever he/she is.

Tomorrow, I have my first "official" responsibility in the worship service at church. Tomorrow afternoon, I get to help some friends move into their new home. And tomorrow night I will attend my first "Man Night" with some of the guys from Emerge. Not sure what to expect from that, but I am excited nonetheless.

So, you may be wondering why I titled this post 'Irony'. Well, the irony is that this morning, as I was taking the dog out, I realized that my car had been broken into for the second time in the past few months. However, I feel sorry for the thief. He/she has chosen the wrong car to try and steal anything out of. After the last break in, there is nothing left in my car to steal. Must have been a disappointment for him/her. Thus, I've had a great week and the mystery thief must have been greatly disappointed.

May you each enjoy the many blessings permeating your lives. May your eyes be opened to see them and your heart open to receive them.

P.S. I had a long list of thoughts/concepts I wanted to blog about. However, that list has disappeared from my computer. Unless my memory upgrades to superhero status, those are messages left to be untold.

Ask and you shall receive?

For those of you who keep up with this blog, or my life in general, you know that I have had a few health problems this past year. As of today, my health has returned and as soon as I can overcome these horrific Kentucky allergies, I will know what "full health" feels like once more.

Throughout the many hospital, doctor's office, dialysis center, and medical lab visits, I somehow managed to build quite a set of medical bills. Insurance paid it's part, but still left me with a total of around $2500 to pay. (yeah, imagine what the overall total was) Throughout the year I've been making payments toward this and in a great measure because of my tax return, I was able to knock my balance down to around $1500 by the beginning of the summer. I was rather excited about that. Being a full-time seminary student and only working a part-time job does not allow for extra money, much less the ability to pay large balances.

However, through His provision of a free place to live throughout the summer (by way of house-sitting for friends) and two new jobs for the summer, the Lord had paved a way for me to have my medical bills paid off by the end of the summer. After eliminating that debt, I was going to begin saving to pay for my seminary classes since I have no scholarships for this coming year. I was so thankful for this provision and glad that the Lord had once more proven Himself faithful to me.

A few weeks ago, a wonderful friend contacted me and asked for my mailing address. He has been aware of my medical situation throughout the year and has regularly checked-up on me and is always a huge encouragement to me. I emailed him my mailing addressed and assumed that he would be sending me a card in the mail. And I was right. A few weeks later I received his card as expected. However, rather unexpectedly, included in the card was check with which I was instructed to use to pay towards my medical bills. I was amazed! Over the next few days, I received two more cards with checks in them from other families with similar instructions. Within a week, I had been given $1500 to pay towards my remaining medical bills. (I had to buy band-aids for the scrapes on my chin when it fell to the floor for a few hours)

Why was I so surprised? I know the heart of each of these families and how good they have been to me throughout the years. And obviously we know how good the Lord is to us. I was and remain to be so humbled by their gifts and wrestling with feelings of how unworthy I am for such a blessing.

However, I have recognized one reason why these gifts have caught me so off guard. There have been so many times throughout the past 7 or 8 years when I have been in need of something, and regardless of whether it was a financial, emotional, relational, or situational need, the Lord has met it as I have asked for His provision. Thus testifying to the scriptures which tell us "ask and you shall receive."

The difference with this situation is that I thought the Lord had already provided for my medical bills and answered my prayers through the jobs and living situations He had provided for me. And yet He gave more. Beyond what I was asking. Beyond what I was expecting. Beyond what I could have ever hoped for or imagined. His goodness is so abundant that I received before ever asking. I am simply in awe. I'm in awe both of His love and provision for me, and of the gracious and compassionate giving of friends and families who have for whatever reason decided that my situation was worth investing in.

I can only pray that their investments will bring forth great rewards in the kingdom and that all that they have given to me will be paid back to them tenfold. Their blessing in my life goes so far beyond the checks they sent in the mail. This is only a small aspect of what they have done for me. Still, I am in awe and will forever be blessed by their gifts.

To each of you I give my deepest appreciation. The family I have in you, in my church family, will never be forgotten.

May you receive all the Lord has for you: both the things you ask for and the things that you don't even have the faith to ask for.