Will Never Forget

Any of us old enough to remember can remember September 11, 2001 like it was yesterday. Where we were when we first heard the news and what followed that day. I was a freshman in college and that Tuesday I was getting ready for my World Civ II class with Dr. Hellert. It was a typical morning, I woke up and slowly started getting ready for class and watched the news as usual. That's when the news broke that there was an explosion in one of the twin towers. As I sat there watching the breaking news from the side of the screen came another plane and crashed into the other tower. It wasn't long before the news media branded this tragedy a deliberate act of terror. Then came the news of the plane crashing into the Pentagon and another going down in a Pennsylvania field. It seemed like it would never end. Then the towers fell.

I went to class that day, but we did not have class. We could not. We sat there looking at each other, sharing what we knew of the events, and expressing what we were thankful for. I was glued to the tv the rest of that day and the days that followed. I went out and bought newspapers covering the attack and an American flag.

I, like many Americans, ran to a god. It hurts to say, however, it was not the one true God that I ran to. It was my thought up god, the one who would not have allowed this to happen. My idea of the truth was skewed. But as I reflect now 10 years later, I view the events of that day in light of realities I didn't believe then. On September 16, 2001 Pastor Tom Ascol and Executive Director of Founders ministry encouraged his congregation to consider nine realities as they processed what had happened to the nation. He posted them to the Founders blog on this anniversary of the attacks and I think they are as fitting to reflect upon now as they were ten years ago.

1. The worst of human nature is on display

2. The best of human nature is on display

3. This is a time to mourn

4. This is a time to pray

5. This is a time to acknowledge the reality and power of evil

6. This is a time to remember the Supremacy of God

7. This is a time to be humbled

8. This is a time to be hopeful

9. This is a time to listen

At Founders.org Pastor Ascol expounds further on each point, I encourage ya'll to check it out.

Crabbing

Sometimes I just have to try things because I can. So tonight I decided I was going to go crabbing off the pier in Lakeshore. I've only ever been crabbing once in my life and I wasn't the one even doing anything. But I was feeling a desire to go and knowing if wouldn't be all that expensive to get started I decided to go for it.




I ran to walmart to pick up my supplies:
1. Crab nets
2. Chicken

Since the crab nets were only $2.16 a piece I decided I'd get 4. I ran back to the church to get my bucket and cooler and fill up on ice then I was off.

I had a great time sitting and watching people as I waited to periodically pull up my nets to see if there were any crabs taking the bait. It was one of the most relaxing things I have done in a long time and for about $15 (most of that for the start up cost of the nets) it was well worth it. I am looking
forward to hitting the pier in the morning.

Priorities, knees, and raising support

Besides the random blog post it's obviously been awhile since I put any thought into blogging. There are multiple reasons, but primarily it hasn't been a high priority for me. The last few months have been a bit of a ride for me, but God has been faithful and gracious in my hurt, happiness, confusion, delight, and even my sin. Lord willing and if I am able to keep my priorities straight I will be blogging more frequently again.

Though I will be trying to blog more frequently, over then next few months I will be going through some changes, so we'll see how the blogging goes. But as for me....

I'm not sure yet when it will be, but my fourth knee surgery will be sometime in the next couple weeks. My doctor will go in, take a look around and be prepared to fix anything that is needing fixing. My recovery time will depend on what needs to be fixed. I am hoping it is not my acl that needs replacing, which I have had replaced twice before. Though it is my fear that it is the acl.

The biggest change for me will come this May when I wrap my 2 years as a US/C2 missionary with the North American Mission Board. With that I will lose the stipend NAMB and the Mississippi Baptist Convention have so graciously blessed me with as well as the medical insurance offered through NAMB as a US/C2. I am unable to serve another appointment as a US/C2, the only other option I've been given with NAMB is as a self-supported missionary.

I've prayerfully considered my options as it is my desire to stay in Lakeshore, serving the Lord and the Lakeshore community. I've decided to stay in Lakeshore and try to raise the support apart from NAMB to stay. I am looking at needing to raise about $800 a month to take care of my expenses. I've begun sending out support letters, praying the Lord would see fit to provide for my needs to stay in Lakeshore. It is my goal by July to have at least 70% of the funds raised or pledged. Below is a copy of my newsletter and support form:

Support Letter

Support Form

If I have not sent you a letter and you feel led to support me through prayer or financially and receive emailed updates and newsletters please fill out one of the support forms and mail it to:
Lakeshore Baptist Church
PO Box 293
Lakeshore, MS 39558

The Bible is not Boring

I've been lied to!!

All these years I have been told there is a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow... Not true. All I found today at the end of the rainbow was the silver slipper casino and at the other end wal-mart! See for yourself! ......... or maybe I did find two big pots of gold ;)

No Where Else I'd Rather Be

After arriving back in Wisconsin I've received many questions about the work in Lakeshore and opportunity I have to serve there. Several people I have spoke to has asked “Isn't the work down there just about done?” This allows me to speak about Lakeshore, the severity of the storm, and the needs are still very present including physical needs, emotional needs, and spiritual needs.

The question that follows is “So what exactly do you do.” It is a position which is not easily defined. My tasks are a little different most everyday, though there are several things that are daily. But these questions have prompted me to think about how privileged I am to be serving in Lakeshore

Here's a very brief list:

1. It is a privilege to serve alongside the believers at Lakeshore Baptist Church and the thousands of believers that flow through Lakeshore Baptist.
2. I am growing in my relationship with the Lord.
3. The Lord has shown me areas in disaster relief and other areas, I can serve in.
4. I've learned to do many random things I doubt I would have learned elsewhere (forklift driving, rat killing, cajun cooking, building, designing homes, and mission trip planning among other things)
5. I've seen the Lord work and begin to heal broken relationships, for which I rejoice
6. Maybe one day I will be transformed into a nice southern belle.
7. I've enjoyed leading the ladies Bible Study and watching the other ladies grow in their relationship with the Lord.

There is no other place that I can imagine being and nothing I would rather be doing at this point in my life. How many people can actually say they have a “job” they love? I can truly say I love serving in Lakeshore, look forward to future opportunities, and am excited to see how the Lord is going to work in my life and the lives of the folks around me.

Thankful for the inexpressible gift

Of all the things that I am grateful for this Thanksgiving, the thing I am most grateful for is the inexpressible gift that God has given us in Jesus Christ.

Christ left his place in heaven to walk the earth perfectly and sinless, he faced every temptation known to man, he came knowing the death he was going to have to die to save sinful man. He willingly came to this earth, he died on a cross so that our sin would be transferred to him and his righteousness imputed to us. He faced separation from the Father during his death to be the atoning sacrifice that man needed to be saved and spend eternity with the Father. I am grateful that the Father orchestrated this that we, I, may be spared from eternity separated from him.

2 Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!

Why I appreciate my pastor

I often neglect to tell people in my life how grateful I am for them and how much I appreciate them. And many times it is the people that I am closest to or spend a lot of my time serving alongside that I forget. That said, this blog post is not entirely my idea. Abraham Piper posted to his blog, 22 words, asking us why we appreciate our Pastor.

I am blessed to serve at Lakeshore Baptist Church alongside my brother in Christ and Pastor Don Elbourne. It has been a great 2 1/2 years that I have been here and look forward to continue to serve alongside him and the rest of the folks here in Lakeshore.

As we look forward to Thanksgiving tomorrow I cannot help but thank God for the roll Don and his family, as well as the church family, have played in my life. I want to take this opportunity to thank Don publicly letting him know, as well as all who read, a few reasons why I appreciate my Pastor.

1. He faithfully preaches the Word of God
2. He puts up with me on a daily basis
3. He's willing to stop things to counsel or answer questions.
4. He loves his wife and children
5. He and his family have brought me into their family and life.
6. He's not afraid to correct and rebuke me when I need it.
7. He put PhD on hold to minister full time to a storm ravaged community.
8. He cares deeply for the members of Lakeshore Baptist Church.
9. He's a extraordinary cook.
10. He has a desire to spread the gospel to the entire community.
11. He been here 14 years and looks forward to staying as long as God has him here.
12. He's sacrificed so much the past three years since hurricane Katrina to minister to a hurting and devastated community.
13. He's not afraid to admit when he's made a mistake.
14. He loves God's Word and encourages us to read, study, and memorize the Word.

Reformation Polka

Being from Wisconsin polka is something we grew up hearing...and being reformed I like Martin Luther. I came across this and thought it was cute.

conquering the temptation

For as long as I can remember I have had a problem with feeling sorry for myself and getting myself in a woe is me pattern. I have been praying and thinking about this some this past week. I know this does not glorify the Lord and with His help I can conquer this as He's helped me before; but I've also realize I must take some steps on my own to help myself avoid the temptation to feel sorry for myself. So far I've thought of these steps..

1. More time in prayer and scripture
2. Take medicines regularly
3. Take vitamins regularly
4. Exercise several times a week
5. Get outside more
6. Get away part of a day each week
7. Visit people in the community more
8. Start conversations with others as I am out and about
9. Talk to friends and mentors more often
10. Sing more/Listen to more music
11. Disciple a young lady
12. Preach to myself
13. Minister to those in the church that are sick, hurting, or lonely.
    
14. Don't make myself so busy with these things that it wears me out more than helps

Help me out, I know many at least at times are prone to feel sorry for themselves and have a woe is me attitude. What are some of the steps ya'll take to avoid and conquer this?

I am happy to say that with the Lord's help I am seeing some improvement in my attitude and have been much better in fighting the temptation to feel sorry for myself. I write this not to have others feel sorry, since that is what I am trying to avoid myself. Rather to gain insight from those who have been there, those who are more mature in their relationship with the Lord, those who are older and have more life experience. Or to encourage others struggling with the same.

Pray like Jesus

This morning I was thinking about unsaved family members of mine and how I pray and hope so much that they would be saved, yet in all my and others attempts to share the gospel they are still hard hearted and the Lord has not yet opened their eyes. I was discouraged. But the Lord brought to mind previous conversations I've had with believers on why we need to continue to pray for lost loved ones and a sermon series preached by Mark Driscoll that I listened to while flying back to Lakeshore last week.

The series is entitled "Pray Like Jesus". The series was good stuff and I recommend taking the time to listen, but I was reminded of one thing that he said several times. And it sounds very simple, like duh I should not have to remind myself of this. But God answers prayer. His answers are yes, no, or later.

I am encouraged to think that as I pray no matter what the answer God hears and answers. But there is still that hope within me that maybe God is saying later when I pray for the unsaved. I don't know for sure and no matter the answer he still receives the glory. But I am less discouraged now as I think there is hope that he will regenerate them and that he has heard my prayer. May the Lord's will be done.

-----

Driscoll's sermons in the series include:
Pray Like Jesus
The Lord's Prayer
The Gethsemane Prayer

God is most glorified in us, when we are most satisfied in Him

Today the Lord really helped me to see that God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him. I woke up this morning saying I can't wait to see what the Lord is going to do today. I got into the book of Hebrews bright and early...then my day became one of the most interesting days as far as things going wrong, yet enjoying everything that went on.

First we were expecting a shipment of bottled water on Monday, but that was delayed...no problem to me but we were out of bottled water for volunteers to take out the the job sites, but we made due. The Lord provided a few cases of water to quench the workers thirst.

Then a volunteer came to me to inform me that there was no running water in the kitchen or the shower house. So I went to check out the well and saw that it wasn't working properly. I wasn't worried at all since this has happened several times before and it's always been fixed. So I called James, I figured if he couldn't fix it he could find someone who could...but he took care of it.

A few minutes later a volunteer walked into the office to inform me the air conditioning wasn't working in the Quonset Hut they were sleeping in. I went to take a look and the problem seemed apparent to me, but had James take a look at it too. It was a problem neither of us could fix easily, but again no big deal. There is an A/C man coming later this week and I knew I could find a place to sleep the ladies that were in there if need be.

There were then a few miscellaneous things that took place, but I spent most of my afternoon working on cleaning the office and then headed for my house to continue working on the sheet rock for about 2 hours.

On my way to dinner I was talking with Allison and her dad about some of the things that came in on the truck and he mentioned a grill that was taken. That immediately made me look over to the place where our grill normally sits and I saw that it was gone. He said it wasn't that grill that was taken, but one that was donated which got me looking to where our grill had disappeared to. I then spotted it sticking up out of the dumpster!

I weighed the options 1. Go in after it to get it out or 2. Tell pastor Don I had no idea what happened to it. Since lying is wrong and I was having such a fun day already I decided to go in after it. So we ate dinner then Allison, Allison's mom and dad, Zack and I went to retrieve it. We saved that and several folding chairs that had been tossed into the dumpster. So I thought things couldn't get more interesting, but I was wrong. As I was climbing off the dumpster I stepped onto a bucket that contained some very liquidy paint type stuff...That lid gave way and my foot went sploosh into the bucket...I couldn't help but to laugh hysterically.
It was a great day and I as really able to see how the Lord is working in my life as he transforms this wretched sinner. I could see the Lord working in different ways in each situation, but I was able to praise him throughout the day as I was not bent out of shape, frustrated with anyone and if it were not for him working in my life I could have made today a terrible day. But instead it was great - To God be the Glory!

Updates by Twitter

I've succumbed to the popularity of Twitter. Originally only to follow a few different groups and people who update frequently. But I realized today how easy it is and plan to utilize the Twitter updates myself. I've placed them on the side of my blog in hopes I can update a bit more without the entire blog post...though I will still attempt to update the blog as frequently as I can, which obviously has been a bit slow lately. Lord willing some thing else will be up here in the next day or so....I've got a lot to say and there is a lot happening around the church and the community!

Palatable sins

This was a bit thought provoking...how to make sin sound better...from the blog of Abraham Piper

Struggle: Christianese for "giving into sin, but then feeling guilty"

We’re not porn-addicts; we “struggle with lust.”

We’re not arrogant; we “struggle with pride.”

With a simple cliché our sins become palatable.

Back to the grind

I can't say how many times I have opened the dashboard of my blog in an attempt to write something in the past week and a half, but have come away with nothing written or nothing anyone else would want to read. So here I am again...

I'm back in Lakeshore from my extended vacation, which was great. It is great to be back though. While I was on vacation, of course after I left Wisconsin, my sister gave birth to her baby girl Kailey. The baby was a couple months early and weighed in at a whopping 2 lb 12oz. She'll be two weeks old tomorrow. Both mom and baby are doing well, though it will be a long recovery. Kailey's my first niece, so I am totally excited.

We are gearing up for this summer in Lakeshore. This week begins a very busy summer (somewhere around 1500 volunteers in a matter of 2 months!) Lord willing we will be finishing several house and starting several more!

I've officially been approved and have begun my service as a US/C2 missionary. Lord willing, this will extend my stay in Lakeshore until June of 2010. I never would have thought my first summer here would have turned into 4 years, but I am sure happy the Lord has placed me in Lakeshore.

Oh...and my house was begun to be wired! one step closer!

Vacation pt 3

It Tuesday afternoon, I think...I haven't been sure of what day it's been for about two weeks. I am currently in Louisville, KY where the New Attitude Conference took place. Things wrapped up today around 1:00 pm after CJ Mahaney spoke on the doctrine of adoption. The conference has taken up the last four days and has been amazing. The amount of teaching we took in was incredible...Four days filled sermons from Josh Harris, Mark Dever, Al Mohler, CJ Mahaney, Eric Simmons, and John Piper. I know I will planning to relisten to most of the messages to take in things that I missed, which can all be found on the New Attitude website. I'm heading back to Lakeshore tomorrow and I'm looking forward to applying some of the things I learned at the conference and getting back into the swing of things.

Vacation pt. 2 - the smell of lilacs

This week has been pretty great. I made it to Platteville yesterday to surprise my mom - it was fun...As far as I know she had no idea I was coming. Prior to arriving in Platteville I stopped to see my pregnant sister. I also got to spend a couple hours with my pastor, his wife, and son.
This morning I got my moped out and took a spin around town to look at what all has changed. Then I went for a walk in a favorite park of mine on my college campus. I went to visit a few of the places I spent hours in prayer and scripture. It was even more beautiful than I remember.



One of my favorite spots, a place I rode bike and hiked was now guarded by barbed wire fence. Maybe due to the old railroad bridge that was falling apart for the last several years.
And maybe one of the things that I have been looking forward to the most is the smell of the lilacs blooming in the spring.

vacation pt. 1

For a little update...

I've been away from Lakeshore now for a week and having a great time at my friends Jer & Katie's house in Chippewa Falls, WI. I'd forgotten how beautiful this state is...when I was flying in over Minneapolis then driving into Wisconsin just the beauty of the landscape the trees, the grass, the rocks, and the hills it's awesome.

I've also been able to reconnect with people I've met in here in the past or that have been to Lakeshore to volunteer. It's been a great, yet challenging week. I can't think of any time in the last several years that I've been away from the Internet for more than a couple days. While it has been hard for me to think of all the emails that are piling up and the things that I could be looking forward to on the calendar and all the interesting things happening on facebook :) – it's been great to be away from it with my mind not totally focused on those things.

It has also been challenging spiritually, yet renewing. I've learned a great deal about myself and what I need to improve on as I grow in my relationship with the Lord. I have had a lot of time to read as well, but sadly I haven't done much...almost every time I've sat down to read the eye lids close and I fall asleep. Maybe I've been a little sleep deprive, who would have thought? But I have begun working on what I would like to go through this fall with the ladies Bible study. If not for the ladies study, it's a great personal study of the attributes of God.

I am now looking forward to the next leg of my trip...a visit to see my sister and a surprise visit to my hometown for just a few days before heading off to Louisville, KY. Now I am just hoping no one will check the blog from Platteville in the next few hours before my arrival...

I wonder what the worship song would sound like...

I was reading Abraham Piper's blog 22 Words this morning, a blog that has become one of my favorites. He posted yesterday "10 things we don't mention in worship songs, but that I'm happy God saved me from" He gives his own list of things and as I was reading it over, I began to think of all the things the Lord has saved me from or is still working on in me (many of them still working on, but know in Christ can have freedom from). Some I wish I still didn't have to struggle with. It makes me realize how far the Lord has brought me and made me stop to pray and thank God for not only saving me or working on these things in me, but also for saving me from eternal damnation and adopting me as one of his own.

My list in no particular order:

1. Death (deserved or self-inflicted)
2. Self-injury
3. Immorality
4. Over Analyzing
5. A Psychology major
6. Self-Centeredness (woe-is-me attitude)
7. Fearing what people are thinking
8. Addictions
9. Uncontrolled Anger
10. The need to please, fear of failure

Through the Lord alone

Because I've left most people out in the dark...read on for a brief update on what the Lord is doing in me and the ministry of Lakeshore Baptist Church....

• I returned from Atlanta last month from my interviews with NAMB. Lord willing I will be finding out officially in the next couple weeks if I will be an approved missionary.
• March and April were pretty amazing, many groups and a lot being accomplished.
• Mrs. Diane's house is almost complete...just waiting on the county to install the grinder.
• We began 2 new houses. (the Boyds and Calhouns)
• My little home has been started.
• Lord willing in the next week I will get to do a little traveling between Mississippi, Wisconsin, and Kentucky.
• I've been enjoying experimenting and cooking...I don't cook much, but I love to learn and try things for myself.
• May is low with the number of volunteers, but we do have an Americorp group that is staying on site and helping us out for a few weeks.
• I've been enjoying time with Britt and Liz (a couple of our long term volunteers.)
• I helped Tyvek for the first time ever (I send out people to do all these things and I watch them, so every now and then I like to put myself to the test to see if I am capable of doing come of these things). I installed collar ties for the first time too - I hope they are even enough to hang sheetrock on.
• I've been reading Galatians in the mornings and trying to read a bunch of different books in the evenings.
  
• I enjoyed seeing and spending time with the returning group from Providence Baptist Church in Franklin MA that was here last week. I've never seen a group consume so many snickers and m&m's.
• The Lord continues to work in Lakeshore and in my life - conforming me more and more into his image. He's teaching me and reteaching me things through his Word and the counsel of other believers. I am grateful for all the Lord is doing in my life, the folks who I work with, and among the people in the community. May the Lord continue to be glorified and praised.