Weekend

Saturday: Team Noche kept the dream alive this past Saturday winning their sixth game in a row. We played the team that we faced first this season. To be honest, they are the only team that has given us any competition. At the plate, I was a little off, going 1 for 4. I made up for that out in the field. I played great. I made all of my stops at 3rd base. I even caught a line drive that I had to reach with my backhand that was about to hit the dirt. If I was playing professional softball, it would have been on ESPN (oh how I dream) Next Saturday we will play in the end of the season tournament. We will play at 11, and when we win, again at noon.

After the game, I headed over to the Bechtel’s to work for a couple of hours. Mr. and Mrs. Bechtel looked very tired. I had to finish up on clearing the cut up branches. I was hoping that maybe I would be able to help out inside the house. I have been told that occasionally they want for us to vacuum and titty up the place. After playing softball and feeling the heat from the morning, that idea was one that I wish would have happened.

I went back to the dorm and got cleaned up and headed over to my friend Matt’s apartment. He is home in Alabama for the summer, and gave me access to his apartment. I used the day very wisely and studied for my Sunday school lesson. I received a phone call from my friend here, Brent Cooley. He and his wife wanted for April and I to go to this restaurant in Arlington. We all got together around 6:30 and headed that way. We went to BJ’s Restaurant and Brewery. Before you go and think we went there to drink, stop…because we did not. They are well known for their deep dish pizza and their huge potatoes. We had a small wait before we could get to our table. Well, lucky for me, an Orvis store was conveniently located but only a short five minute walk from there. I was so excited about going over there I almost ran. The gang was excited for me, because they all know that I like to fly fish, and I have not even remotely been around fly fishing since I left Georgia. We had a great time inside the store, I was able to tell them a few things about it and answer some of their questions. I spoke with Jeff, the fishing manager. We had a great conversation about places to fish and what to fish with. He indicated to me that he lives in Ft. Worth too, so I immediately wanted to share with him the great news of Jesus. For some reason, I did not. What a great opportunity and I let it pass. I pray God will forgive me of my disobedience, and allow another opportunity to share with him. That last statement is a great description of my life these days. If I meet someone for the first time, and if I am in conversation with them for at least 4-5 minutes, I feel the Holy Spirit tugging on my heart to share with them. I have knowledge of the most important thing in life. The only thing in life and God has blessed me with the ability to communicate that. So why at times is it easy to share, and others it feels like I have no common sense at all. A constant battle it is. This morning I got up a 6 am. I woke up and was wide awake, ready for the day. I spent my quite time this morning writing in a bible that we are shipping off to our American soldiers. I began by saying… Dear, American Soldier. I continued to write down the five2life message (which can be read at http://www.five2life.com/). The website is my professor from my evangelism class this summer. I have no idea who will read that or get that bible. So, I wanted to share with them the only thing they will ever need to know in this life. My prayer is that a soldier will get that bible, read that and believe, confess, and enter into a relationship with Jesus. Also, that a fire will be set in he or she and he or she shares that with all of their friends. I spent 2 hours in my quite time today; I also prepared for my lesson to teach and prayed for a great many people in my life.

We began a new series on spiritual discipline and today we focused on commitment, title “I do”. The group went to camp two weeks ago and the camp high is very much present in the students. We had a number of students make decision, either to receive Christ as savior, or a re dedication. It is this time, which a student is going to become closer to Christ or continue that same path away from Christ. We were in the book Of John in chapter 13:21-26. It is Passover and Jesus is with his disciples enjoying a last supper. The Passover is a celebration of the deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt (out of exile, into the Promised Land) Jesus was telling them how he would be betrayed and none of his disciples wanted to believe that. If got Peter in such a fix that he demanded John to ask Jesus who it was. Jesus told them that he would take bread and dip into the cup and whoever he gives that to, is the betrayer. The betrayer was a man that was trusted by Jesus, and all the disciples. He was in charge of the money, whatever money they all had. Still today, a person in charge of money or other people’s money one would like to think they can be trusted. Scripture goes on further to explain the betrayal and the ultimate death of Jesus on the Cross. My lesson today was focused on the commitment one makes in life. We either make a commitment to Christ like John, or we make a commitment to Christ like Judas. John was known as being beloved, if you remember the famous picture painted by DaVinci, the man who is resting his head on Christ’s chest is John. A presupposition is that John was well loved by Christ, believed in him, and was committed to him. On the other hand, one can choose to live a life like Judas, who is disobedient and not in commitment to Christ. I can honestly say that I have lived like both of these people. So today, while I was teaching it was easy for me, I get it, I understand, I am living my life for Jesus. How do I effectively teach that to 7th graders? Easy, I shared with them a little of my testimony, about how I was living before and how I am living now. How Sage and I went through a personal one to one discipleship. How I wake up every morning and spend time with God. How I make it a constant decision to live my life for Christ, to center my thoughts and actions according to the example I have in Christ. Is it easy? No, is it worth giving all that I have, absolutely. Right now, the best message we can teach to those students is that we have hope in Christ. He will give to us all that we need. I finished the lesson with telling them about a favorite passage(s) in Philippians 3:12-21 and I want to close this message with these amazing words. “Not that I have already reached the goal or am already fully mature, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of my Christ Jesus. Brothers, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus. Therefore, all who are mature should think this way. And if you think differently about anything, God will reveal this to you also. In any case, we should live to whatever truth we have attained. Join in imitating me, brothers, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us. For I have often told you, and now say again with tears, that many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction; their god is their stomach; their glory is in their shame. They are focused on earthly things, but our citizenship is in heaven, form which we also eagerly wait for a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will transform the body of our humble condition into the likeness of His glorious body, by the power that enables Him to subject everything to Himself.”

My prayer for you who has read this is, for those that are in Christ Jesus, that we never need to be shameful of our pasts, but rejoice in what is in store for those who believe. Until we are face to face with our amazing savior, eagerly pursue Him with everything that you have, never holding anything back, because Christ never held anything from you.

Friday

Thursday: Yesterday was a very hot and busy day. I started the morning off over at the Bechtel's. See Friday is pick up day for trash and branches, etc. The City of Fort Worth requires you to tie up all branches. I spent all morning, tying up branches and hauling them down the property to the curb. I was absolutely sweating non-stop. I finished up over there around noon and headed back to the dorm to clean up and head to the housing office. I did manage to squeeze in a ham and cheese sandwich, it was yummy. This afternoon I was outside again doing my housing inspections. I wanted to wear a nice cool light weight button up. I did. The only thing, once you begin sweating in it, its very obvious and I was drenched once again. I looked absolutely soaked. I even went into one our our Korean students apartment, and they demanded I sit, and drink some water. I told them I was fine, but they insisted that I take a break. It was actually very nice. By this time, I was hot, sweating, looking ridiculous, and my back was bothering me. I spoke with my brother-in-law on Tuesday night, and he believes I have a pinched nerve in my lower right back. (if you remember, please say a quick prayer) After work, I got out of my smelly clothes and put on my workout clothes. Yes, I went to the rac and ran on the elliptical for 30 minutes hard. Again, the sweat was pouring out of me. I must admit, that I am really enjoying working out again. My clothes are beginning to not fit right, which is a good thing. Last night, my boss had the whole office over for dinner at this house. We grilled hamburgers, had some Italian green beans, amazing salad, and Norita made some amazing peach cobbler, topped with ice cream :) We had a great evening together, I was especially happy that miss April was able to join me.
Friday: Today is Friday, its also pay day :) I have been working all morning at the housing office, taking little breaks to type this out. I just got back from lunch. I ate some vegetables and drank some water. This afternoon I will focus on helping out around the office. One of the girls I work with went home, so I know they will need some help. I have to admit, I work with some of the most amazing people here at seminary. They all make me smile and feel welcome. I guess after 5 months, we all are getting used to one another. It is a credit for how well last night went, and my desire is to do that more often. Tonight, we are going over to a friends house to eat dinner and play some games. We went over there last Friday too. We ate taco's, played volleyball, and than attack uno. (yes MOM, I bought an attack uno and introduced it to them) We had a very large group playing, so we grabbed some cards from the original uno and combined them... the game took forever so we ended having to change a couple of rules. I made the suggestion, it worked in my favor, I WON. So I hope we can play volley ball again, that was fun. Can only wait and see. Sorry for the randomness, just thoughts popping into my head while I write this.
Saturday: Softball game at 9:00am. Working over at the Bechtel's after that, than studying for my Sunday School Lesson. I am so excited... I have not taught in 3 weeks... we are beginning a series on discipleship.... I AM EXCITED....
Misc: Need to Breathe is coming to Texas in August... I can't wait. Trying to plan it where I ride to Midland with them, and than to Dallas... that would be sweet. I am inviting all my friends to come visit me that weekend. We will have a great time... (sage...that means you)

Friday

Today is Friday. It has been a long week for some reason. The weeks for the most part have been flying by. I have had a busy week, working both jobs, going to workout every evening. Now, its not even lunch time yet. Last night, James and I went down to the rac to workout. I was on the elipdacle for 35 minutes... I was pushing it pretty hard, it was great. After that we decided to do a little back work out. It was great, a little awkward at first, but I got into the groove. I think I have a pinched nerve in my back, here towards the end of the week, its been doing so much better. After that we went into the gym...you know that place where they keep all the workout equipment and weights... James and I did some curls and did some shoulder press. It has been like 4 months since I have lifted a weight. This morning, I woke up and my arms were a little sore. My left bicep especially where it connects to your forearm on the underneath side.... (SORE) Its kind of funny, this whole week I have been working like crazy. Doing yard work in the mornings on Tuesday,Wednesday, and Thursday...so its hot out here in Texas, so I sweat like crazy... I go back to the dorm, get cleaned up and than go to my housing inspector job on campus. After that, I go to the rac and work out... I have even gone walking twice this week after that... I have had these feelings of my college football playing days. When I would run every morning at 5, go work at the golf course, go workout and run after that. The only thing that is different is my body is no way near in shape as it was back than (getting there though) and I don't have to do a conditioning test when classes resume on August 21. To say the least, this week has been wonderful. I got on the scale again last night, and dropped another 2 pounds. I think its amazing, when you have a desire, that you are pretty much willing to do anything to get to it. I was reminded today from a friend of mine's dad who sent me an email about Africa. Yesterday I heard a song that Chris Tomlin sang at passion, he wrote it when he was in Botswana. It brought me to tears just hearing that name. My desire is Jesus Christ. My desire, is to share the gospel with people who have never heard it. My desire is for people that I know right now, to hear the gospel and allow it to change their lives. My desire is to make disciples who make disciples. My desire is for Christ to use me in anything that he wants. I just want to remain Christ centered in everything. I just wanted to share this with you all. My prayer today is that we all keep are focus on Christ, when we do get distracted with stuff, we acknowledge it and press through it.


I have some really cool pictures that a friend of mine put on his facebook account, just wanted to share with you all.... some of you do not have facebook... Sooooo, here ya go!!!

WOW--MY BAD

So its July 16th and fastly approaching a month since I have updated my blog. So, for the few that read this....my bad. So much has happened since my last entry that it will take a week to type it all out. I will try and highlight some of the fun stuff.
TEAM NOCHE: We are continuing to play very well. We are 4-0. This past Saturday we played a double header. I played left field, which was new for me. I made one mistake, but had a couple of good catches. At the plate I went 4-6 on the day... 6 RBIs, 2 singles, 1 double, and 1 Homerun. We beat both of our opponents really bad. Towards the end of the game I felt very bad. We have a couple more games until the tournament. I am expecting a perfect season.
WEDDING: Travis and Paige got married this past Saturday too. The wedding was on campus, and dining services handled everything. It was a small ceremony around the pond and gazebo. My favorite part of the service was when the went over the gospel. (very cool) John-David, James, and I were ushers.
RANDOMNESS: I picked up some bread from the food ministry yesterday down at the Rac. And this bread is amazing...its by Oroweat...double fiber... i put some ham on it and its good. I am eating it now while I type. (multi-tasker)
CLASS: My classes for the summer are officially over. I do have a few more assignments due for Evangelism. Dr. Carrigan, I doubt you will ever read this, but if you do.... Great class, just don't offer it during an i-term....EVER AGAIN...
BOOK: I am reading a new book right now. I am so excited... its for my own pleasure and its not got a due date or a paper behind it. It is called "Growing True Disciples" by George Barna. I have only read the first chapter. This book has already slapped me in the face, but a good kind of slap. When you pick up a book, you find out quick wither or not you are going to agree with the author. I can honestly say that I am on board, and I can not wait for a four hour window, to sit and read it through for the first time.
PRAYER REQUESTS: I am asking for your prayers. I am going through a great time of joy and happiness in my life. I can honestly say, that I am where God needs me. I have some of the most amazing friends. God continues to bless me with an awesome church, the responsibility to teach 50+ 7th graders. (which there are over 60+ at camp this week) My prayer request, is that I would remain humble, and continue to seek Christ in everything I do. I am working two jobs, my back is killing me (think its a pinched nerve) and I just need prayer to continue to press forward. I have lost over 35 pounds since I have been here. God wants me in the mission field, I just want to do my part here. Thank you all very much, also, if you ever need anything, please contact me.