Northern Ireland Update 5

The wedding is over and the dust is settling.  Beki and I moved into a cozy little house that we are renting out until we are able to go home.  We currently do not have a car so we have been walking a lot and relying on others for rides.  We had guests over last night and look forward to using the time we have here to minister to those God puts in our path.  I am having some coffee and meals with some local young guys over here this week.  Beki and I are also taking time to get together with many other newly married couples as we prepare for young married ministry back home in Ohio.

Please keep praying for Beki's visa medical and interview.  Both must be done in London which means we need God's favor to have the timing work out.  It is not like you can just drive to London and can get very expensive flying there and staying a few nights there.  We are praying everything can work out to get the medical and interview done within a few days of each other so we only have to take one trip to London.

During my time over here I am gaining a small insight to what Paul must have felt when he wrote the epistles.  I miss seeing firsthand the growth God is doing in everyone back home.  I am excited for what is to come and pray that I will be with you all soon.  I will leave you with this passage...


"We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but alwaysseek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.

Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may yourwhole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.

Brothers, pray for us.

Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.

I put you under oath before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers.  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you."

- 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28

Northern Ireland Update 4

We were truly blessed by our friends and family on our wedding day.  We had so much fun and loved the worship time during our wedding ceremony.  We spent 5 days in Edinburgh, Scotland that were absolutely great.  We are now back at Beki's parents house trying to find a place to stay for a couple weeks.  Dad dropped off paperwork at the lawyer's office as soon as they returned home so now we are just waiting for our interview to get scheduled in London.  We are praying for a quick return home and finally get settled in our house.

Beki and I started reading Colossians together.  This morning I was challenged by the power and purpose in Paul's prayer and words.  I want to leave you with this passage as food for thought today.  May these words, may this hunger, and love for people be an essential part of our lives.

"And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.  May you be strengthened with all power, according to this glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light." - Colossians 1:9-12

Northern Ireland Update 3

So tomorrow I am getting married...

As I am reflecting on the whole marriage process I am finding how sanctifying it is.  If I really open my eyes to everything that has happened, especially recently it is easy to see how self-centered and not God centered we can be.  You own wedding can be in and of itself a justification to put your eyes on yourself.  The problem is that when your eyes are on us they are not on Jesus.  I am enjoying this eve of my wedding just thinking about how great God is.  Thanking him for my friends, family, church and most of all my soon to be wife.  This truly is about him and his glory as two people unite.  May God be glorified and lifted high tomorrow!

Thanks for all the prayers and support for the big day!  Love you all!

Northern Ireland Update 2

It was a blessing to pick everyone up from the airport yesterday in Dublin.  After long waits for delayed flights we eventually got the rental cars and got to experience driving on the other side of the road.  Lets just say it was an experience making the two hour drive from Dublin to Bangor.  Needless to say we all arrived home safely and everyone was able to get settled in.  Today the men are off for a road trip along the coast while the women do their women stuff...lol.

In preparation for marriage I have been reading a lot on marriage, listening to sermons on marriage, looking into the Scriptures for passages on marriage, and praying for our upcoming marriage.  The main thought I keep coming back to is found in Ephesians 5:25,

"Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,"

This is an incredible challenge and responsibility for us men.  To show our wives the same love that Christ showed us.  For you young guys who someday want to be married I would challenge you to start thinking about this.  Prepare yourself, really start to understand what this means so that you can love your future wife as God has commanded you to do.

Continue to pray as we work through all the last minute details.  Beki and I still have no idea where we are going to live over here when we get back from March 23rd.  Just praying that God will provide us a place to stay till we are able to return to the states.  Our documents are still in the mail.  Upon arrival they will be able to schedule our interview to get us home.  Pray that they would arrive soon.  Thanks again for all your love and support!

Northern Ireland Update

As many of you know I am in Northern Ireland about to get married to my beautiful bride to be. We are blessed to have so many friends and family that have been praying for us and encouraging us through the whole process. I wanted to keep everyone updated with our situation so you can continue to be praying for us. I will try to keep posting updates and possibly some pictures.

Beki and I are currently waiting on an interview to be scheduled in London for her to be approved to return to the states. She sent documents through express mail 2 weeks ago that they needed in the US but have still not arrived.

Last night I was able to be part of a young adult study on Ephesians 6. We looked at the armor of God. I want to remind you today that we are in a battle.

12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

God gives us the armor to stand against a vicious foe. We must put on the armor or else leave ourselves susceptible and vulnerable to be attacked and defeated.

praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, v.18

When Truth Becomes Reality

The Word of God is amazing!  There are many truths, many stories, and many lessons I have been taught growing up.  I know them in my head, but have they become an actual reality in my life?

Has Jesus become a reality to you?  When the truth of Scripture penetrates our hearts and open ups our blinded eyes life changes, our perspective and purpose changes.

So, dive into your Bible.  Ask God to give you ears to hear and eyes to see the reality of all that Jesus has done.  Let the Word of God transform you by shining light into the darkness of our lives.

Isolation Island

'Then the LORD God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him." - Genesis 2:18

Picture an island.  It can be as beautiful and serene as your imagination can create.  This island is called isolation island.  In all its beauty, in all its pleasure you are completely and underly alone.  There is no one else on the island, coming to visit the island, or rescuing you from the island.

We were not created to be alone, there is something inside all of us that desires to be part of something.  We want to share life with a spouse, to have friends, and be part of a family and community.  Recently over the Christmas season I have been visiting with many young men ages 18-25 who are in college, in the military, or just working an everyday job.  The common theme during our conversations has been that it is so hard to live out your faith by yourself.  Those living for Christ in the military find a constant battle of adapting the military language.  Those in college face all kinds of peer pressure that compromise their beliefs.  Most of these young men are trying to do this alone but they are realizing the need for strong Christians in their life.

In some situations we may have to fight for our faith alone for awhile but this should not be the norm.  Wherever you are at in life are you looking for solid Biblical community or fellowship or are you waiting for it to fall in your lap?  Many of these young men have found it but they had to seek it out.  Join your brothers and sisters in Christ and spur one another on to love Christ.

te-na-cious

te-na-cious
Adjective: Not easily dispelled or discouraged; persisting in existence or in a course of action.

"And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ." - Acts 5:41

Tenacious...isn't that just an awesome word?  Are there tenacious followers of Christ out there?  Those who are not easily discouraged, that persist, that stay the course no matter the opposition.  Those who fight for the heart of their King Jesus.

Have you ever asked yourself, "What do I fight for?"  It is easy to give up, it is easy to be "soft" followers of Christ.  To be tenacious is hard, it takes effort, hard work, and underlying it all is commitment.  We must believe the words of Paul when he says, "To live is Christ and to die is gain," if we are to be tenacious.  This life will present many obstacles that will get us discouraged and many times we feel like giving up.  Many times we like to sulk, mope, and stay in a state of self pity.

When can only be tenacious, to not easily be discourage, and to persist when its all about Christ and His Kingdom and not about us.  Just as the apostles in Acts did not cease teaching and preaching no matter what obstacles they faced.  They were committed, determined, and sure of the eternal future with Christ and that was their goal.  There hope was in Christ, not their kids, not their job, not their financial security, and not their spouse.

Discouragement will come in all shapes and sizes.  From many little things to one big thing our plans, our hopes, and our dreams can come crashing down.  What will you do when these things happen?  Will you fight for your King?  Will you run and hide?  Be tenacious, fight the good fight, and stay the course because Jesus is worthy.

Born To Die

Why was Jesus born? During Christmas time I often try to reflect on this question. The answer I keep coming back to is that he was "born to die." While we celebrate the birth of Christ we must always remember the death of Christ. The cross doesn't happen without the birth but the birth without the cross is meaningless.

Death is the separation of spirit and soul from the body. Since God is spirit he had to be born and take on a body in order to die. The purpose of what we celebrate at Christmas is the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

What It Means To Be A Torchbearer

The other morning I woke up and God really challenged me with a thought.  Do I wake up each and every morning and aimlessly try to follow Jesus?  Am I throwing darts at a target but don't know where the target is?  I have been pondering and praying recently and after talking with Don we both know that we need to start writing and blogging more.

I went back to one of the first challenges Don ever gave me.  To come up with a Biblical name.  My name is "Torchbearer of Christ."  This name should encompass a personal mission for the glory of God.  I like the name but I never really put a lot of time or effort into daily living that out.  So now it is time to start.

A Torchbearer is one who leads or inspires others in working hard toward a valued goal.  In this case Christ is the goal, his glory, his kingdom, and deeper intimacy with our Savior is what we must work hard for.  As a torchbearer I must lead by example, encourage others, and press on toward the goal in spite of opposition (which is sure to come!).

With that being said I would like to invite you along this journey with me.  My goal is to blog a minimum of 3 days a week.  In blogging I want to help inspire you toward Christ and his kingdom.  I will be reading through the Bible this year so many of my thoughts may come from that.  I pray that you would take some time to develop a personal mission statement, to create a Biblical name, and live that out daily for the glory of God.