My Life....My Life these past few days...

SCHOOL: I have successfully completed my first semester of Seminary. If you would of asked me that question when I was in college or even before that, I would of never had predicted that I would even pursue a Master's Degree... better yet... a Master's in Theology. My classes this past semester were both fun and challenging. I did very well in two classes, and ok in two. I have made grades that will permit me to continue. :) I have never been a straight A student, more like straight C. One thing that I have made clear is that I am here because God has called me, but more importantly, I am here to learn, and GO. The two classes that I struggled in this semester, I learned alot. I am very confident in the demands that our school expects from us, I respect that, and I am now working even harder than when I got here. I even read books like its my job, and in a sense, it is.

SUMMER SCHOOL: I signed up to take two courses this summer, Contemporary Evangelism, and Old Testament II. My first class (CE) was during the I-Term week. We had lectures from 8-5 Monday through Friday. Old Testament II begins on June 3 and runs through July 3. We will meet on Tuesday and Thursday morning from 8:00-12:15.

CONTEMPORARY EVANGELISM: I want to start off by saying that in 10 years from now, when I am off in the mission field or wherever God wants me, this class will be the one that I remember and will be willing to tell people about. I learned more in one week than I have in my entire life. Dr. Carrigan is in his second semester here at SWBTS, (well i think its only the second class he has taught on campus) this man, let me put it this way.... He pushed all my buttons. He motivated me, inspired me, called me out, respected me, cares for me, honestly and sincerely loves me. The Holy Spirit on the first day of class came at me like a tidal wave. I had just read the book the "The Unchurched Next Door" (which you all should read) and sat in his class and was blown away. When I got out of class that evening, the first thing I did was walk out to my truck and pop the tailgate down, take out my cell phone, and called my Dad. I learned new techniques in sharing the gospel with people. I learned so much! We had two tests that followed the lectures for the past two Fridays. To be honest with you, they were HARD. We had to memorize Verbatim alot of material. This material is what we need to know to be effective disciples of the gospel. I know that is was frustrating to alot of people, but I was taking it like a man, and when it got tough... "GO HARD, OR GO HOME" (a little motto from my childhood) I planted my feet firmly and buckled down and studied. Dr. Carrigan, if you ever read my blog, I want you to know that I am truly blessed by you and God is doing absolutely amazing things through you and your life. I with out a doubt am confident that the kingdom of heaven is more full because of your commitment to our Lord. THANK YOU. (Know Him, Make Him Known....Make a friend, Make a Disciple, who Makes it to Forever)

IHOP: James (brother from OK) and I this past Thursday night went to Ihop for some food, coffee, and the open 24 hours deal. Ihop is located close to the TCU campus, and most of the time is pretty busy. Unfortunately for them this was not the case, fortunate for James and I we sat all alone in one section. Our waitress was Alexjandria, an absolutely wonderful young lady. James is so good with new people, we made small talk, in between the drink orders, and James asked her... "are you a follower of Jesus Christ?" With a great big smile, she said YES. (even if we get to this point with someone, when we here that, most people, shut down and don't care to ask anymore questions) Not us seminary boys, for James and I that is just the beginning. We asked her more questions about when did she pray to receive Christ and where do you go to church, and so on. I am confident in saying that people may claim to be "Christians" but if I don't hear them say, I believe that Jesus is the son of God, who died for our sins and by grace we are saved (to that extent) I honestly don't believe that they are. From her answers to our questions we both after confirming later, that she was holding something back. She told us that she grew up in a Catholic home, goes to a Catholic High School (that does not even practice it) and that she is holding onto to of the Catholicism beliefs. She left and James and I were both talking about it and since I was there to study for a test, I sat out my "wordless book" She came back with our food and James said, you should share that with her. She noticed it first (which was my intention) and I told her what it was. I asked would you like to hear about it? Again, a great big smile and she was like "YES" she pulled up a chair and I began to explain the wordless book to her. The entire time she was very emotional and tears were forming in her eyes. I was confident that she was a believer. What concerned me the most was the fact that she was not actively going to church. So when I got to the green piece of cloth (which stands for growth) I told her that once we are believers we need to come into a covenant relationship with a church, be baptized, pray, study, (Dr. Carrigan's... know him, make him known.) Her expression spoke a million words, or maybe just one, Oh? Confession time, I forgot my Evangelism kit at my dorm room, I wanted so bad to give her a bracelet, or cd, or bible. James was like give her your bracelet off your wrist, I was not cool with that, cause I thought she might not be cool with that. (looking back now, I should of at least offered it) I will follow up with her soon, cause I know that with class starting on Tuesday, I will be studying, reading, and doing what God has called us to do.

CATCH IT: I wanted to share with you some scripture that has really been directing in my life, my walk, my relationship with Christ. My prayer is that you have already read it or heard it, but if not, here ya go.... It is found in Matthew, Chapter 28, verses 18-20. And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
The great news from these verses, is that, it is for all...

Please contact me if you ever have any spiritual questions, prayer requests, or anything. I am looking forward to hearing from you. God Bless you all

LIVE LOUD

Weekend

It's Monday, and its back to work for me. I had an incredible past week, I will update you on that tonight. This weekend, Dennis and I went to the Rangers/Astros game on Saturday. The Rangers pulled to .500 on the season, and looked 10 times better than the first game I went to. Two of my students from the college ministry I was apart of at West Hills were in town. They stopped for the night to sleep at a church before going south to Mexico. They with about 23 others were going down to help build a house or two. These guys have never done this before, so I pray that their eyes are open to the lost and hurting world we live in. Sunday, went to church, and again, was feed. God thank you for growing me. After church, I spent three hours reading one of my books for my class I just took. I sat in the shade, and kicked up my feet, and hung out, it was fantastic. Last night, John-David and I hung out. We cooked some chicken, ate bbq chicken sandwiches and watched the movie the kingdom. Besides some of the strong language, it was a very good movie. (Yes Jonathan McCord, I watched it) He had been getting onto me lately for not watching any movies, so I told him that when I had a chance, I would watch it. I had a incredible time this weekend, got a few things accomplished, that I will share with you tonight. I have an invitation, will you accept?

Inside my Head

Hey everyone! Sorry its been so long since my last post. Since my last post, I have finished my first semester of seminary, seen friends graduate, went bowling, read an amazing book, and have started summer school. My friend wrote on my wall on facebook, that she "needed some hefty, and that finals were over that she wanted to talk." I kind of began laughing, cause I finished on a Tuesday night, and started today. I am not trying to make you feel sorry for me, just trying to keep you updated. So I also remember that I said once finals were over that I would update you all on some amazing stuff going on in my life. I will, just not sure when, if I don't get around to it, you will hear about it in a sermon or maybe in a book. Could you imagine if "hefty" wrote a book, that would be something crazy. I am going to stop talking about myself now. One thing I have noticed, is I have a feeling that no one reads my blog, why? cause I never receive comments. I pray this is not true, or maybe I am just horrible at getting my thoughts out onto paper. Anywho, back to the point of this entry. I wanted to tell you about my day today. May 12, 2008. I began class today at 8am and got out at 5. I am taking contemporary evangelism, with Dr. Carrigan. The course is labeled "turbo evangelism" we are cramming 4 months or work into one work week. At the conclusion of class today, we had finished the third week. (wow) I remember in undergrad I took a class like this, but it was surfing the Internet for success. Yes, this was a required class for the business department at west ga. Oh how things have changed I'm sure. I mean, the young kids that are starting undergrad now a days, surely know how to surf the net. Today, was a great convicting day for me, I can honestly type that now, I mean I was amazed how God was tugging at my heart today. We meet first thing at 7:45 to pray for lost people. Dr. Carrigan wanted us to list the names of whom we prayed for. The only name that I could think of was (Earl) I pray for my dad often, and I know others are praying for him. I spoke to my dad at the very beginning of the semester. At the end of chapel one morning, Dr. Rainer was there talking about missions and I was on cloud nine. My phone rings, not noticing the number, pick it up and quick say hello. It was Dad. I was so happy to talk with him, since I was so high, (spiritual high) that I told him about everything that was going on with me. After class tonight, I just had to wind down a little, so I changed clothes, and walked out to my truck. It was so nice out, not hot, windy, and beautiful. I was leaning up against my tailgate, and I opened my phone and called my dad. It rang, and rang, and rang, and finally the answering machine picked up. I was a little disappointed (no I was very disappointed) I began by saying, "hey dad, its your son Aaron, its Monday evening, around 5:30, when I could hear that the answering machine cut off and he said, "hello" (he was screening calls, lol) I said with great emotion, "hey dad" and he responded, "hey aaron" (so officially, two people of this planet call me aaron, my mom and dad) I mean, is he going to say "good job good and faithful servant, or good job hefty. Sorry. Back to the point. I was able to talk with my dad for 20 minutes, we talked about school, my degree, my plans, football, my brother, the weather, etc. In the entire 20 minutes, I never once asked him about anything about the gospel. Why? When I hung up the phone, I felt this empty feeling inside of me, I truly felt hollow inside. My heart was so heavy, I thought it might drop into my stomach. I got back to my room and Travis was in my room working at Chris' desk, and he could tell something was up with me, I guess people just can tell when I am bothered. I told him that I just talked to my dad. He knew the significance of that, since we just prayed for him this morning, and we talked about the lost all day. Travis and I spoke for 30 or so about it and prayed for one another. As I write this, I know the importance of why I am here. Why God has called me, why God is using me. God has called me to full time missions, with the call to introduce the gospel to the lost, present them with the only thing that can confirm eternal life, and defeat sin and death. Once, that is accomplished, discipleship. If none of this makes sense, please forgive me, its hard to write down on paper what your heart is trying to tell your brain. I want to leave you with one thought.... 1 out of 85 "christians" lead one lost person to Jesus Christ every year... 1

Update

It's Friday! Last night I had my final in Intro to Missiology. This by far was my favorite class this entire semester. We took a small test and graded them before we left and I made a 100%, officially making an A in the class. I was pretty happy last night for a little while. (To be honest) Afterwards, Chris, Travis and I went and ate at Wing Stop. Once back at the dorms, I sat at my desk until 3 this morning, reading, studying, memorizing, and praying. Today at 1 I have my Old Testament Final. I am nervous, nervous, and nervous. This class, great, but I have struggled in it to say the least. I will have one more final after today on Tuesday. I will take my final in Biblical Hermeneutics. Again, a great class, I have really enjoyed Dr. Pierce. If things go well, I should walk away from there with a solid B grade. Please continue to pray for me. I will update once finals are over some amazing things that have been going on in my life. Until we speak again, please know, first, I love you all, second, I am praying for you..... GOD BLESS