Mar 9
I had the privilege of attending the commissioning of 61 missionaries last week. The International Mission Board currently has over 5 thousand missionaries across the world. In the coming year, however, they have to draw back. They lack the resources to maintain the current deployed workforce.
Some are able to go. Like these.
Four couples from Mid-America Baptist were appointed with this group. Two will be going to South America, one to Romania, and the fourth somewhere else.
Feb 25
Here are a few of Sophia’s latest letter learning activities.
Amanda has a great community of moms at MABTS housing. They have been an immense encouragement to her as she learns how to be a mom that walks with Jesus.
Feb 11
My life feels like a process of losing myself, so I can find myself. Losing my life in order to find it . . .
I am giving up my rights, dreams, preferences, ambitions. Not just to be willing to surrender those things, but to actually do it.
Funny thing is when I empty myself of me I find myself being filled with what really matters.
Above all I am giving control of my life to God. He has ransomed me and has every right to move me, transform me, discipline me. Giving myself to him occupies the highest priority in my life.
I am also giving myself to my family. God has placed Amanda, Sophia, and Samuel under my watchcare. It is with them that I experience life, the simple and profound, the mundane and extraordinary. My whole life is completely wrapped up in them. Taking care of them is second only to walking with Jesus. The two aren’t mutually exclusive. They go hand in hand.
I am pouring myself out for my neighbor. In this stage in my life my neighbor lives 10 minutes away and speaks mostly Spanish. God has placed compulsion and call in my heart to make myself available to him to plant a Hispanic church.
Feb 9
Pretty much no one likes losing at Candy Land.
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Especially Samuel. If he just hadn’t drawn Gramma Nut . . .
Feb 4
I’m no graphic designer, but the Young Adult department at Bellevue Baptist Church asked me if I’d design some posters for their new year emphasis a year long journey through the Scriptures.
I designed four options. They chose the first two.
Feb 3
For some kids, it’s a punishment. |
Feb 2
Sophia has been learning her alphabet one letter at a time. Now, Sam is catching the learning/creating/having fun spirit. He just finished his first work of art.
Here at MABTS, folks are all about helping people be in right relationship with God. That job doesn’t only take place outside the apartment complex. Moms are making disciples everyday with their kids.
Feb 1
People . . .
My new assignment has placed me smack-dab in their path. Yeah, I know. People are everywhere. But, what I do now puts me in an uncomfortable position. I engage.
I step onto a porch, knock on a door, look someone right in the eye, and engage. It’s exhausting and exhilirating.
Before, most strangers that crossed my path stayed at a safe and comfortable distance. Now, I seek out complete strangers to talk to (usually in Spanish).
It’s scary. “If knocking on a stranger’s door doesn’t scare you, then you’re not human.” a wise sage once said.
It is good. It’s good because it is a part of the journey that God has called us to live. Also, it’s good because I am learning to stop relying on myself and start walking in His Spirit.
Jan 28
Amanda (Holding up a picture of an apple): Ah Ah Ah Apple. Can you say apple?
Sophia: Ah Ah Ah Apple.
Amanda (Holding up a picture of an alligator): Now, what is this? Ah Ah Ah Ah . . . .
Sophia: Ah Ah Ah CROCODILE!
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Jan 27
I am a church planter.
I get a bit unnerved just saying that, but it’s true.
It’s not true because I decided that I should be one. It’s not true because an organization gave me that title. It’s not even true because I have planted a church before.
It’s true because that’s the job God has set before me. A church planter is what God has called me.
So, I’m learning to call myself that. It’s getting less and less strange to say because I am slowly becoming more and more confident in Him.
Needless to say, if I were depending upon myself to do this, I’d be in a hot mess.
This summer God used two experiences to begin a revolution in my heart and mind. I began to see myself fitting into God’s activity on earth in a whole new light. I felt compelled to get out in the community, start knocking on doors, walk with people through the truths of Scripture, and fold them into a congregation. I wanted to work with Latinos, but I didn’t know where or when or if I even should. But, this compulsion wouldn’t go away. I didn’t really want it to.
So, I started. I climbed into our 1994 Ford Aerostar and started driving. I had no idea where to go, but I couldn’t sit around any longer. I said “God if you want me to do this, you’ve got to show me where.”
He did.
I went down a street and came upon a small house that had a gaggle of kids playing in the front yard. They were Hispanic. It seemed like there were hundreds. It was like God said, “Start here.” I was 5 minutes from the front door of my apartment.
That was back in early September. Since then I have mapped over 100 Latino homes and visited more than 30. I have started two Bible studies in homes. And, I’ve learned a ton. The most important lesson? That I am completely and utterly dependent upon the power of the Spirit. Jesus is my sufficiency and motivation.
I am a church planter.
It’s been a long time since I have felt like this. God has asked me to do something and I feel completely inadequate and overwhelmed. Yet, I feel completely confident and hopeful. God doesn’t just call, he sustains and guides and empowers.
You’ll be hearing a lot more about this adventure. Feel free to email me if you have any questions about it.
