Kenya has brought great and powerful change for me, and has brought a new understanding of Christ and His purpose for my life. God has always been here in Africa. God has always been everywhere in this world, he merely desires our obedience to be His vessels, His catalysts, His change agents. But remember, the mission-field is just as much outside your front door as it is in a faraway land.
I still have about $2500 that is due very quickly, in fact, before February. I know it's short notice, but I know God will provide. I'm not asking anyone to give above and beyond what they already have given. Those donations have allowed me to be where I am now- spiritually, physically, and emotionally.
Consider it an investment in furthering the Kingdom of God. It's not just for my sake, but it's for your's and all those lives we are able to touch along this journey. I have plenty of incredible stories to tell when I return, let's just pray it's not too soon. Just as a reminder, if I do not meet the $2500, I will unfortunately have to leave the Race.
That may sound harsh to some people, but it's reasonable and fair. AIM and the World Race cannot be expected to "float loans" for each individual when there are over a hundred people out in the field. If everyone had a deficit like mine, that would be more than $250,000.
I know God will provide, but since I am not able to do some things in the States myself, I ask your help: Simply continue to tell others about the World Race, and what we are doing, and especially continue to pray. Pray for safety, growth, and needs being met, not just for me but others in ministry as well.
So, the next few blogs are going to be fairly short. In fact, our team-leader, Tim, is posting them, because I won't be using internet, computers, or basically technology for this month.
I've felt kind of guilty because I don't break up my blogs with enough pictures, or use tips and techniques to make my blog the "cool-kid table" in Junior High. So, to make myself feel better about that lacking trait, I remedy this problem with an extra heaping of words, smothered in words. Besides, you can't put a picture to True Love and do it justice, unless it says Hallmark on the back. See, did I mention I have clever witticisms?
I have decided to shake things up a bit with a sonnet. I wrote this about those walking in faith, and it represents many different things to me. It includes, but is not limited to: The darkness of sin, the darkness within our own hearts, the light of the Truth of the gospel, the light of Christ within us to illuminate the darkness, God's covenant to those that are faithful and obedient, and a few more. This sonnet captures my overall emotion to the World, and the Light that is still in it, ready to shine on the dark parts of Man.
Where in the Bible does it say your goal in life is to be happy? What's the fun in being comfortable?
It's 2:05 am in Selcuk, Turkey. Morning Prayer will begin blasting from the megaphones some time around 6:30 am. I should not be awake, but I am. Has it really been over a month since my last blog? A lot has changed since then.
Every day of my life, up until recently, I felt like Isaac being led to slaughter, looking up at my Father, and begging Him not to take my 'life' away from me. I struggled and fought but the alter loomed before me. What is your alter experience? For me, it was not one quantifiable event, but a series of steps, actions, and repentance's.
It took overcoming my own selfish desires to willingly lay myself down on that alter. Have you ever watched as your friends pass you by, and thought 'what is wrong with me?' I have. Have you ever wanted love but never gave it? I have. Have you ever looked upon the person you love, and knew that they loved someone else? I have. Have you ever thought your life could not get any worse and it did? I have. Have you ever turned your back on God, not wanting his grace and salvation? I have. Have you ever nailed Jesus to the cross? I did.
Still, against all odds, and the lies of the enemy striking me like waves dashing against rock, I obediently laid myself down on the alter. The fire blazed and consumed all of me. Not just the best, or the worst, but everything in between. Others helped peel away chunks and carry those burdens to the alter as well, but I had to set them on fire.
And, I have never felt more clean and righteous in my life. The sacrifice of my self I feared so much, changed me into something I never knew I could be. The sacrifices are always more than I want to give and I still struggle to overcome burdens and to repent over sin; Such is the plight of Man. But, to see things from the eyes of Christ and boldly walk with purpose in Him overshadows all pain and everything else.
I write this as the Enemy uses every old trick he can muster to try and consume me. Such as: 'Ironic Joel, for a message about letting go of your selfishness, there sure are a lot of "I"s in it." and "Why do you always have to be so preachy, step down from your soap box, boy." Get behind me Satan! What he does not realize is that there is nothing left for him to consume. I have already pledged myself to another.
The other day I wrote this to myself during prayer time right after I read Romans 8:1-8. God convicted me to share this:
"Do not fear the coming of morning. Do not claw at dreams and darkness.
Instead, wake up with praise and worship on your tongue.
But once the Armor has been put on, do not forget about it.
Continue to be vigilant throughout the day;
do not let the sun go down on your anger?-
Do not let any sin go unrepentant before the sun goes down.
Do not succumb to laziness and procrastination.
Do not let good things distract you from Great things.
God will say much if you are listening: Ears, heart, eyes, mind, and soul wide open.
Begin and end the day with God; so that everything in-between is His also."
I've felt kind of guilty because I don't break up my blogs with enough pictures, or use tips and techniques to make my blog the "cool-kid table" in Junior High. So, to make myself feel better about that lacking trait, I remedy this problem with an extra heaping of words, smothered in words. Besides, you can't put a picture to True Love and do it justice, unless it says Hallmark on the back. See, did I mention I have clever witticisms?
I have decided to shake things up a bit with a sonnet. I wrote this about those walking in faith, and it represents many different things to me. It includes, but is not limited to: The darkness of sin, the darkness within our own hearts, the light of the Truth of the gospel, the light of Christ within us to illuminate the darkness, God's covenant to those that are faithful and obedient, and a few more. This sonnet captures my overall emotion to the World, and the Light that is still in it, ready to shine on the dark parts of Man.