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

Exposed before God

It is great to be back in Lakeshore and hearing the word preached. It had been two weeks since I was under anyone's preaching.

Last night as I listened to the sermon from Luke 6 I was extremely convicted. There were several things that got to me, but one thing in particular was being poor (in spirit as the gospel of Matthew records). This being recognizing that I am spiritually bankrupt, that I've got nothing and there is nothing I can do to earn favor before God.

Had that been the only thing preached, I would have said, sure I think I have come to that point. But then as Pastor Don continued to speak, he said in just a quick sentence that this is like being naked before God. That got me thinking.

What if I was naked in public, how humbling that would be to bare it all to the world. Thinking about things in that way, I would say that I have not totally come to realize that I am spiritually bankrupt. Yes I admit that I am a sinner and know that God has saved me, but daily do I bare those things to him? I think there is sometimes that I try to do things on my own, attempting to hide my weaknesses and sins from God...the only one who can conquer those things.

Another statement from the sermon related to baring it all was “Deep seeded happiness comes from a full admission of our sinfulness”....In other words the only way that I can truly be happy is by baring it all before God, coming clean of my sinfulness and confessing them before God.

Going to New York!

Next week I have the privilege of traveling to New York to speak to 10 different churches in the Central New York Baptist Association. I will be speak Sunday Aug 16 in the morning and evening, then Monday - Saturday nights, and again on Sunday Aug 23 morning and evening.


I will be sharing my conversion, my call to the ministry, my experience and what the Lord has been doing in Lakeshore, what the Lord has been doing in my life, and future plans.

It is going to be a busy week, but I am looking forward to the opportunity.

Highlights from this summer

I wanted to share some of the highlights from my summer here in Lakeshore, I will try to be brief.

• The last couple of weeks with Allison. (though her leaving wasn't a highlight, the time we got to spend together was.) BTW Al, you need to come back I am going through snow ball withdrawal...it's pretty serious.
• Setting up the event tent in June. That was the most dirty I've ever been in Lakeshore.
• Learning/Directing/helping put up a fence on the church property.
• Learning to tile floors
• Watching the baptism of Tiffany, one of our church members.
• Having my best friend from college come with a group from her church.
• Meeting the hundreds of volunteers that had never been to Lakeshore before.
• Reconnecting with the volunteers that returned to Lakeshore.
• Watching people stretch themselves beyond what they thought they were capable of and succeeding.
• Listening to Pastor Don preach the word. He wrapped up Ephesians, went through a series on the distinctions of a healthy church, and began preaching through the book of 1 John, in addition to the sermons in Luke we've been going through on Wednesday nights.
• Seeing old friends whom I wish I could see a lot more.
  

I'm back!!

Well...I never really went anywhere. But apparently totally slacked on the blogging.

Nearly a third of the year has past by since I blogged last...and now that I say that to myself it hits me it has been a long time. Therefore I will be brief and highlight some things in the coming days.

Much has happened in the last four months. Literally hundreds of volunteers have flowed through Lakeshore Baptist, several homes were completed, others started, and progress moved forward a great deal on the others.

We are moving forward on the new bunk house, Lord willing that will be near completion soon. We've also started on the Mercy House and we are looking forward to the great things God is going to use both of the buildings for.

I am certainly blessed to be a part of this ministry and the things that God is doing through us. The Lord did great things this summer, one being, He put together a great summer team in addition to the amazing team I already serve with. I am grateful for the long term summer volunteers He brought this way - Emily, Josh, Betsy, Sonja, Kristen, Jayme, Liz.

My Journey to Lakeshore, Part 5

When I arrived in Lakeshore, I did realize what I was getting myself into. I thought I was going to come for the summer help out in any way I could, then go on from there and get a "real job". I remember a woman from West Virgina talking to me that first summer, asking if I had looked into the US/C2 program through NAMB. Honestly my thoughts at that point were, how can I decide if I want to stay here another 2 years...that is a serious commitment and a long one at that. Two years seemed like forever...what if I decided Lakeshore was too difficult or not for me.
Who would have guessed that the Lord laid it on my heart to stay "a little bit longer." First it was for a semester, then another semester. Then I decided I wanted to grow up a little and make more of a commitment, so I decided to stay for a year...thinking I would leave around June of 2008.

But the Lord got a hold of my heart and turned it totally toward Him and helping at Lakeshore Baptist Church. I went ahead and made the commitment to stay another 2 years as a US/C2 in the Spring of 08. Not seeing it now as a long time...actually now seems very short.

I am into the 8th month of that commitment and June of 2010 seems like it is fast approaching. I am not sure what the Lord's plans for me are after this appointment is over, but it is going to be very hard to leave Lakeshore (if I do) - a place that has become home for me. I can't begin to explain all that the Lord has done in my life while I have been in Lakeshore...that would take another 5-10 days of blog posts. But I'll leave you with this...He's been faithful and merciful, conforming me more into his likeness and has blessed me with a great pastor and church family here in Lakeshore.

My Journey to Lakeshore, Part 4

My second trip to Lakeshore happened in March of 2006, my spring break week. This week was just as much fun and hard work as the first. My love of Lakeshore increased as well as I helped out in the distribution center...seeing the severe need of the people still at that point.
I remember talking to a woman who had just returned to the area after evacuating 9 people and 2 dogs in a minivan just before the storm arrived. They were now living in a tent hoping for a FEMA camper to arrive.

There was a lot happening in the community and through the church that was great. Many folks were being helped with food and clothing as well as help in their homes, putting things back together, but the devastation was still very present all around us.
I hadn't given it as much thought as I do most big descisions in life, but I decided one day to talk with Pastor Don one day and ask him if I could come help out for the summer. I was graduating and hadn't found a job yet, so it would be a great time to do this. He said that would be great. So as soon as I arrived back in Wisconsin I began contacting the North American Mission Board to see what it would take to become a summer missionary.

Plans were made. I graduated May 13, 2006, my sister was married June 10 and I headed toward Lakeshore June 12. Arriving at 9:30pm for what would be one very busy but wonderful summer.

My Journey to Lakeshore, Part 3

Preparation for the first trip was somewhat minimal...

In my conversations with Greg London prior to the trip he told us to be self-contained. There were showing facilities and port-a-lets on site. And because we were a small group and the only group that week we were allowed to stay in the quonset hut next to the distribution center. We did have to bring our own food and cook for ourselves, that was not a problem!
So January 9th eleven college students packed into a van a headed toward Lakeshore, about an 18 hour trip. We arrived late in the evening and though it was dark saw nothing but devastation all around us. My heart sank and I was unsure of how to feel.
That week would would spend most of our time on the church property. Some working in the distribution center and some inside the metal church buildings (putting up walls and building stairs). Others worked off site sanding sheetrock at the Ward's home.

It was a joy to meet the people in Lakeshore - Pastor Don, James, Mrs. Bea, Mrs. Lynn. And we were pleased to do anything that needed doing...including delivering sheds that arrived on a semi late at night until some crazy hour in the morning...But it was a privilege to be here in Lakeshore.
We returned from Lakeshore January 14th, but I was already to head back down. I hated to leave, but had to get back to school. Spring break was just around the corner, however, so I worked on planning another trip south...

My Journey to Lakeshore, Part 2

It must have been late November 2005 my Pastor, Jeff Nettles, heard about Lakeshore Baptist Church. Word has it that Jeff heard from another pastor in Wisconsin who'd heard about Lakeshore from a friend in Texas.


November 28, 2005 I received the following email...

Hey folks, I received some emails this morning with more info on the Lakeshore Baptist Church project.

Several churches around the country are helping, and God is at work there! It is exciting to see that we can join in and serve God by blessing our brothers and sisters in great need.

Check out this link to get some more information. http://elbourne.org/ Pastor Don Elbourne Jr. write this weblog and you can check out the articles and links.

They've been meeting in a tent the past few weeks and they're hoping for a metal building to be shipped and put up soon.

Lakeshore Baptist will be needing some Christmas help, folks. Be in prayer about that.

Blessings!
PJ

Looking back who would have thought "several churches" would amount to over 500 churches in three and a half years, with over 10,000 volunteers coming through Lakeshore Baptist Church.

But that email would be the first of many more emails concerning Lakeshore. This I thought was an answer to my prayers for an opportunity to serve. And quickly resulted in me, with my pastor's assistance, planning a trip to Lakeshore during the university's Christmas break...

My Journey to Lakeshore, Part 1

Over the following couple of days I want to write my testimony of Katrina and how I ended up in Lakeshore. A place I am so grateful the Lord brought me, an experience that is like no other, and a church family and community I love.

On August 29, 2005 I never would have thought I would be living in Lakeshore, MS in 2009. I'd never heard of Lakeshore, Waveland, or Bay St. Louis....

I remember the day before the storm was to make landfall, praying the Lord would be glorified through the storm. We knew it was going to be destructive, though I could have never imagined how destructive. I didn't know at that point, but the Lord began to give me a desire to help those who were going to be affect by this storm, the worst storm the United States had ever seen.

A few months went by with the occasional email or notice in church about upcoming disaster relief training and possible trips put on by the Minnesota/Wisconsin Baptist Convention, but as a college student I was unable to get away during the semester. But as the semester went on, my desire to head south became stronger and stronger. I wanted to help, but where to start? And when could I go?

I was watching the news almost everyday to see what was taking place. But midway through the semester most all of the news was coming out of New Orleans, and the stories were beginning to fade out of the news headlines. But my heart was being turned to the gulf coast, so I waited and prayed for an opportunity to come about...

Resolutions worth keeping

I know I said I do not make New Years resolutions, but a set of resolutions worth taking a look at and keeping are those that Jonathan Edwards penned in the 1720's. Edwards wrote these then read them over once a week to remind himself and examine himself as he strove to know God and glorify Him in every aspect of life.

I intend to look over Edwards 70 resolutions throughout the year as to remind and examine myself. Here are the first 21 resolutions, which Edwards wrote in one sitting in New Haven in 1722

1. Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God' s glory, and my own good, profit and pleasure, in the whole of my duration, without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriads of ages hence. Resolved to do whatever I think to be my duty and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general. Resolved to do this, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many soever, and how great soever.

2. Resolved, to be continually endeavoring to find out some new contrivance and invention to promote the aforementioned things.

3. Resolved, if ever I shall fall and grow dull, so as to neglect to keep any part of these Resolutions, to repent of all I can remember, when I come to myself again.

4. Resolved, never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body, less or more, but what tends to the glory of God; nor be, nor suffer it, if I can avoid it.

5. Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can.

6. Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.

7. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life.

8. Resolved, to act, in all respects, both speaking and doing, as if nobody had been so vile as I, and as if I had committed the same sins, or had the same infirmities or failings as others; and that I will let the knowledge of their failings promote nothing but shame in myself, and prove only an occasion of my confessing my own sins and misery to God. July 30.

9. Resolved, to think much on all occasions of my own dying, and of the common circumstances which attend death.

10. Resolved, when I feel pain, to think of the pains of martyrdom, and of hell.

11. Resolved, when I think of any theorem in divinity to be solved, immediately to do what I can towards solving it, if circumstances do not hinder.

12. Resolved, if I take delight in it as a gratification of pride, or vanity, or on any such account, immediately to throw it by.

13. Resolved, to be endeavoring to find out fit objects of charity and liberality.

14. Resolved, never to do any thing out of revenge.

15. Resolved, never to suffer the least motions of anger towards irrational beings.

16. Resolved, never to speak evil of anyone, so that it shall tend to his dishonor, more or less, upon no account except for some real good.

17. Resolved, that I will live so, as I shall wish I had done when I come to die.

18. Resolved, to live so, at all times, as I think is best in my devout frames, and when I have clearest notions of things of the gospel, and another world.

19. Resolved, never to do any thing, which I should be afraid to do, if I expected it would not be above an hour, before I should hear the last trump.

20. Resolved, to maintain the strictest temperance, in eating and drinking.

21. Resolved, never to do any thing, which if I should see in another, I should count a just occasion to despise him for, or to think any way the more meanly of him.

2009 Bible Reading Plan

I do not make New Years resolutions primarily because they are meant to try to follow, but ultimately break. Any New Years resolution I have made in the past has ended that way. But I do desire to establish a better routine for studying the scripture this year.

Last year I had no plan for scripture reading and realize now how I could have benefited from a scheduled scripture text each day. I still intend to study a couple books of the Bible more in depth this year, but need to read the whole scripture too.

There are many Bible reading plans out there. This year I have chosen to use the plan Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, FL is using with their church body this year.

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.

Praying for Your Pastor's Wife

While reading today I came across an article by Nancy Leigh DeMoss called 31 Days of praying for your Pastor's wife. She encourages us to pray for the woman that often in the shadow of the man who fills the pulpit. A woman who serves, loves, respects, and prays for her husband, who faces the same challenges as other women in the congregation, and needs encouragement, friendships, support and prayer as any other women would.

I plan to use the outline and ideas she provided as a guide as I pray for my Pastor's wife and would encourage ya'll to use this outline or at least get ideas from the outline to pray for your pastor's wife more specifically. The following are an example of a few of the days and how she encourages us to pray. For the full list check out Revive our Hearts.

Day 1
Pray that your pastor’s wife will love God with all her heart, soul, mind, and strength. Pray that God’s Spirit will work in her heart in power, and that she will value and follow biblical priorities. (Deut. 6:5; Matt. 6:33)

Day 20
Ask God to remind her of the hope and refuge God offers her each day. Pray that she will be encouraged in God, knowing that He is a firm, secure anchor for her soul. (Ps. 9:9-10; Ps. 42:5; 71:14; Heb. 6:19a)

Day 28
Pray that she will strive for personal excellence as a “Proverbs 31” woman, and will believe God to accomplish His will in her as a virtuous woman. (Prov. 31:10-31)

Day 29
Pray that your pastor’s wife will be a woman of faith and passionate love for God, not giving in to worries, fears, or an uptight and anxious spirit.
(1 John 4:18; Prov. 3:5-6)

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.

Can Singles have a Standard of Beauty?

In his sermon series on the book of Song of Songs, Mark Driscoll addressed the question "Can Singles have a Standard of Beauty?" His answer is something good to keep in mind as a single who looks forward to the possibility of marriage one day. His answer to the question is...

"No....."

"You need to marry someone you are attracted to. And I am talking attraction in the holistic sense. You are spiritually attracted to them. They love and serve Jesus. You are attracted to their ministry and what they're doing to serve and love others. You are attracted to them mentally. You like conversing with them and learning with them. You are attracted to the emotionally. You feel safe with them you feel connected with them. You are attracted to them physically...attraction is a holistic issues. To me again this is one of the disgusting things about friends with benefits and hooking up and cohabitation and porn. It's not a whole attraction it is just a physical attraction, that's it....The problem is if you are single and set a standard of beauty you are looking just at the physical, you need to look at it and consider it but not just that and then what about when you do get married and they grow or change...you'll be dissatisfied because you'll have a standard of beauty rather than a spouse."

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.