It has been a bit since I posted on our ministry blog...sorry! It has been a bit of a whirlwind after being in Colorado and South Dakota for over three weeks. What a good time and yet, tiring. The time there was rewarding and yet, it is great to be home!
As you recall, I spoke at Galilee Bible Camp in Tennessee. There were about 40 high school students and 15 staff serving the Lord! It was my privilege to open the WORD and share my passion about Jesus to the students and the staff! God did some great things in all of our lives.
Then, I flew to Denver, Colorado where I met Julie and we went through the official process of candidacy for ministry with Cadence International! We were officially accepted and then entered into a week of orientation and then followed by a week of visiting team members in SD and CO!!! What a great time!!
Then we came home and began to process the events of the month of June and began to pray as we seek the Lord for His timing in our live. We are now about to embark on a week of ministry at Camp Morrow where we have served the Lord together for almost 30 years!! Julie will be the head cook for Jr High camp and I have the privilege of being the missions speaker! Then we will cook together for more than likely our last time there in a while. Bitter sweet and yet it has been rewarding to serve there all of these years!!! God is good and faithful!
After camp, July 17-24, we will begin focusing on selling our home and raising the remaining $2200.00 monthly support we need to get to Germany full time. Our return date is not set as we wait direction from the Lord and the leadership of Cadence. Pray as we seek Him for this!
We are blessed that each of you are a part of our team and ask that you would join us in praying as we seek Him. Also, PLEASE pray for Julie as she injured her left arm while traveling after orientation. She has little to no use of it and she is the head cook next week and the weekend after! Thanks team!!
Monday, July 11, 2011
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
It is Official!!!
On Saturday afternoon the 18th, Julie and I were officially accepted for full time ministry with Cadence International serving in Cadence Student Ministries. We are so EXCITED!!! We are also very thankful that each one of you have been praying for us and also being a BIG part of this process!
We are thrilled to now be officially appointed to ministry. We still don't have a set time line nor do we have a lot of clearly defined direction but that will be coming in the next few months.
We want you to know though that your partnership in our ministry is crucial to the success and longevity of our ministry! We are unable to do what the Lord has called us to if we don't have team members like you that are involved.
As you know, we have three types of team mates. The first are those that "PRAY" for our family, life and ministry, The second are those that "PAY" by giving sacrificially so that others may know about our Savior and have relationship with HIM! The third are those that "PLAY" in ministry by participating in a physical way on location, with our family or meeting needs we have physically to do ministry! All three areas are VITAL and CRITICAL to the ministry we are called too!
THANK YOU FOR BEING A PART OF THE TEAM!!!
We are thrilled to now be officially appointed to ministry. We still don't have a set time line nor do we have a lot of clearly defined direction but that will be coming in the next few months.
We want you to know though that your partnership in our ministry is crucial to the success and longevity of our ministry! We are unable to do what the Lord has called us to if we don't have team members like you that are involved.
As you know, we have three types of team mates. The first are those that "PRAY" for our family, life and ministry, The second are those that "PAY" by giving sacrificially so that others may know about our Savior and have relationship with HIM! The third are those that "PLAY" in ministry by participating in a physical way on location, with our family or meeting needs we have physically to do ministry! All three areas are VITAL and CRITICAL to the ministry we are called too!
THANK YOU FOR BEING A PART OF THE TEAM!!!
Friday, May 13, 2011
Ten day's and counting...
It is hard to believe that in such a short time as three months, so much has happened! Some incredible things have happened and some strange things. Time and space here may limit my ability to communicate with you the depth of it all but we would love to personally connect with you on this when we return home.
Highlights of our time in Germany:
- God provided incredible housing for us from the first day to our soon to be last
- Our apartment is fantastic and our neighbors are a real blessing to us
- We have been provided some great new starts to friendships with fellow CSM staff, chaplains, family members of our students and new friends as well
- We have been involved since day one in the lives of people that need or love Jesus and we have been able to challenge them right where they are
- We have been able to be involved in two different chapels and this has been a real joy and blessing
- I have been able to preach three different times here in the three months
- I have had the opportunity to lead several Bible studies with our middle school boys...great time!!!
- I have taught the WORD at youth group on several occasions and small groups at a week long camp
- While at spring break camp, we were in the ALP's of Garmisch...what a great place for camp!!!
- Julie and I have enjoyed many walks in our town of Kusel we live in and have been blessed by those
- Julie has ministered to the wives' of many deployed soldiers here in Baumholder
- Julie was able to attend PWOC Bible study on Tuesdays and connect there with women around the WORD
- Julie has loved, cared and fed our students on several occasions and as you know, she is good at all three of those
- We have developed relationships that will grow when we return in the fall full time...Lord willing!
- I have been able to build strong and growing relationships with our chaplains in Baumholder
- I had the honor of attending a memorial service for one of the four soldiers we have lost during our time here...an humbling and sobering experience
- We have encouraged, taught and prayed with students on a weekly basis
- I had the opportunity to runs games for youth group several nights
- We have had the opportunity to me involved in a big way in the GREAT COMMISSION!!
There are more to share but as you see, we have had a full schedule and with only ten days left, they to are packed with opportunities to be involved in lives, ministry and the future of students here in Germany.
Julie and I would like you to know how much we appreciate your love, prayers and support for our ministry to the students of our US Military families! They are the present and future of our society! We know that you would be blessed to know that they are resilient and responsive to the things of the Lord when you simply reach out in love and show them you care! We have done that...may the Lord bless our time here and bring us back quickly to continue this ministry for His glory.
Highlights of our time in Germany:
- God provided incredible housing for us from the first day to our soon to be last
- Our apartment is fantastic and our neighbors are a real blessing to us
- We have been provided some great new starts to friendships with fellow CSM staff, chaplains, family members of our students and new friends as well
- We have been involved since day one in the lives of people that need or love Jesus and we have been able to challenge them right where they are
- We have been able to be involved in two different chapels and this has been a real joy and blessing
- I have been able to preach three different times here in the three months
- I have had the opportunity to lead several Bible studies with our middle school boys...great time!!!
- I have taught the WORD at youth group on several occasions and small groups at a week long camp
- While at spring break camp, we were in the ALP's of Garmisch...what a great place for camp!!!
- Julie and I have enjoyed many walks in our town of Kusel we live in and have been blessed by those
- Julie has ministered to the wives' of many deployed soldiers here in Baumholder
- Julie was able to attend PWOC Bible study on Tuesdays and connect there with women around the WORD
- Julie has loved, cared and fed our students on several occasions and as you know, she is good at all three of those
- We have developed relationships that will grow when we return in the fall full time...Lord willing!
- I have been able to build strong and growing relationships with our chaplains in Baumholder
- I had the honor of attending a memorial service for one of the four soldiers we have lost during our time here...an humbling and sobering experience
- We have encouraged, taught and prayed with students on a weekly basis
- I had the opportunity to runs games for youth group several nights
- We have had the opportunity to me involved in a big way in the GREAT COMMISSION!!
There are more to share but as you see, we have had a full schedule and with only ten days left, they to are packed with opportunities to be involved in lives, ministry and the future of students here in Germany.
Julie and I would like you to know how much we appreciate your love, prayers and support for our ministry to the students of our US Military families! They are the present and future of our society! We know that you would be blessed to know that they are resilient and responsive to the things of the Lord when you simply reach out in love and show them you care! We have done that...may the Lord bless our time here and bring us back quickly to continue this ministry for His glory.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Hear the bells ringing...
As I reflect back on the weekend just past, I am reminded that here in our little town of Kusel, the bells of the two churches were ringing almost non stop. You would have thought something big was happening in town. Well, there was but it really took place over 2000 years ago.
It was in the town of Jerusalem where the miracle of the rebirth took place. After the first original Black Friday, Passover, Jesus of Nazareth took the entire worlds weight of sin and shame on His shoulders. There He paid the price for the debt that none of us could ever pay for the things that separated us from Him. There, the payment was made and there the Eternal King died only to change the course of history.
After He died, His body that was broken for you and I was taken off the cross, laid in a borrow tomb where His body was wrapped in swaddling clothes and washed in frankincense and myrrh for the entombment. Only thing is, His reservation for the grave had been made in eternity past that He would only stay there for three days. You see, Jesus rebuilt the temple, His Temple, in three days!
His resurrection from the grave made it possible for us to have a rebirth of our own temple so that He would have a place to reside in us for His glory! The key, we have to accept the fact that He gave up heaven to come to earth to pay for my debt with His death and was buried in a grave and then, ROSE FROM THE GRAVE!! Thus, gaining victory over sin and death!!! Praise be to Him for His Glorious work!
So you see, although the bells rang continuously here in Kusel, they were marking the event of Resurrection Sunday...they thought Easter, I know better!! It was marking the anniversary that my Lord and Savior gave me the ability to have a rebirth and to enter into a relationship with Him. It also was to invite those that don't usually come to church to come.
I trust that they did but I pray that the Gospel was shared and that one or some came to a personal knowledge of their need for a Loving and Merciful Savior to be their Lord.
The next time you hear bells ringing, stop and wonder, "What are they ringing for?" Maybe they are announcing a worldwide event like the event of Resurrection Sunday! What an event!
It was in the town of Jerusalem where the miracle of the rebirth took place. After the first original Black Friday, Passover, Jesus of Nazareth took the entire worlds weight of sin and shame on His shoulders. There He paid the price for the debt that none of us could ever pay for the things that separated us from Him. There, the payment was made and there the Eternal King died only to change the course of history.
After He died, His body that was broken for you and I was taken off the cross, laid in a borrow tomb where His body was wrapped in swaddling clothes and washed in frankincense and myrrh for the entombment. Only thing is, His reservation for the grave had been made in eternity past that He would only stay there for three days. You see, Jesus rebuilt the temple, His Temple, in three days!
His resurrection from the grave made it possible for us to have a rebirth of our own temple so that He would have a place to reside in us for His glory! The key, we have to accept the fact that He gave up heaven to come to earth to pay for my debt with His death and was buried in a grave and then, ROSE FROM THE GRAVE!! Thus, gaining victory over sin and death!!! Praise be to Him for His Glorious work!
So you see, although the bells rang continuously here in Kusel, they were marking the event of Resurrection Sunday...they thought Easter, I know better!! It was marking the anniversary that my Lord and Savior gave me the ability to have a rebirth and to enter into a relationship with Him. It also was to invite those that don't usually come to church to come.
I trust that they did but I pray that the Gospel was shared and that one or some came to a personal knowledge of their need for a Loving and Merciful Savior to be their Lord.
The next time you hear bells ringing, stop and wonder, "What are they ringing for?" Maybe they are announcing a worldwide event like the event of Resurrection Sunday! What an event!
Church in the Rock in Idar - Oberstein, Germany
Monday, April 18, 2011
In the presence of a King...
I had the most incredible privilege and a great opportunity yesterday to preach at the Gospel Service on our post we serve at. It was as you know, Palm Sunday and I shared from the Word the story from Mark about the triumphal entry of Jesus into the city.
I unpacked the context of the passage as well as the historical importance that we see there. When you understand the context, the text becomes alive and fresh. We see there that the King to be, Jesus the Son of God, came into Jerusalem not to take over as earthly king that the people wanted but He came into town to announce His plan to complete the assignment that the Trinity had in place from eternity past to secure the possibility for you and I to enter into a personal relationship with Him. He then, becomes my King, my Savior, my Master, my Lord and my Friend! With all that in place and having happened, I now am in the presence of a King.
In addition to the preaching at the service, I also had a unique privilege and honor to have in our service in the front row, a modern day king. One of the worshippers with us on Sunday is a king in Africa. When I was preaching, I realized that not only was I sharing about the King of Kings, but, in my presence was a king,
I was humbled by that fact. The reality of serving our Eternal King and now I serve alongside and worship with a king. What an honor!
How is it, we don't treat our Heavenly King with the honor and respect He deserves? When you talk with our friend that is a king, he is so humble, focused on Jesus for himself, his family and his people and it is an honor to know him and together, we serve the King of Kings and Lord of Lord.
Next time you begin to worship at church, remember that you are in the presence of a King. We are to honor Him, love Him, worship Him, serve Him and be low before Him. The question is how often do you and I realize and recognize this?
I unpacked the context of the passage as well as the historical importance that we see there. When you understand the context, the text becomes alive and fresh. We see there that the King to be, Jesus the Son of God, came into Jerusalem not to take over as earthly king that the people wanted but He came into town to announce His plan to complete the assignment that the Trinity had in place from eternity past to secure the possibility for you and I to enter into a personal relationship with Him. He then, becomes my King, my Savior, my Master, my Lord and my Friend! With all that in place and having happened, I now am in the presence of a King.
In addition to the preaching at the service, I also had a unique privilege and honor to have in our service in the front row, a modern day king. One of the worshippers with us on Sunday is a king in Africa. When I was preaching, I realized that not only was I sharing about the King of Kings, but, in my presence was a king,
I was humbled by that fact. The reality of serving our Eternal King and now I serve alongside and worship with a king. What an honor!
How is it, we don't treat our Heavenly King with the honor and respect He deserves? When you talk with our friend that is a king, he is so humble, focused on Jesus for himself, his family and his people and it is an honor to know him and together, we serve the King of Kings and Lord of Lord.
Next time you begin to worship at church, remember that you are in the presence of a King. We are to honor Him, love Him, worship Him, serve Him and be low before Him. The question is how often do you and I realize and recognize this?
Saturday, April 9, 2011
From hopeless to happiness in a year!
Have you ever felt that your life had no hope? That all joy and happiness had been snatched away and that everything you worked for was thrown to the curb? In the midst of life you find yourself questioning everything going on and the words that were spoken to you aren't true seem to drowned out everything that is true? Well, yesterday the 8th of April, Julie and I reflected over the past year. Wow, what a time of reflection.
We were told a year ago a number of perceptions that were not true. That day rang out in my heart then with a ton of hurt and emotions that were painful and almost devastating. The words that were said caused both of us to reflect on the pain as well as cause us to run fully into the arms of a Heavenly Father that only speaks truth. And when He speaks hard truth, it is totally surrounded and couched in love. Perfect, eternal and completely unconditional love.
During the course of the year, we experienced many ups and downs. We felt isolation, abandonment, disillusionment and betrayal. With the help of the Lord as we questioned and wondered what was up we found ourselves finding confidence in Him and not in man. We would find ourselves on our knees and in the Word and being strengthened by Him. As scripture say, in our weakness, He makes us strong.
We found ourselves being cared for and loved on by some wonderful missionaries that had been in almost identical situations through the course of their year in ministry. Their care through the course of the year was so beneficial and helpful that we were finding ourselves renewed, restored and refreshed.
Then, we began to find the Lord directing us to a new ministry and the opportunity to experience a rebirth of the passion and desires that the Lord had given us. With the gifts and toolset that the Lord has blessed us with, He was going to use it again to His Glory. We knew that He was rebuilding in our lives what had been taken away. We had gone from hopelessness and despair to happiness and delight in Him.
Yesterday, walking hand in hand down the cobble stone streets of Kusel, Germany, we knew we were right where God wants us. We have been experiencing a real since of peace as well as fulfillment in our ministry He has brought us too! Who would ever have thought a year ago we would be in Germany working in the lives of our US military students here in Baumholder. God is definitely using us and what a joy it has been.
Some very impactful words were given to us by a dear friend a year ago that have become our focus in life and ministry. "Broken people minister to Broken People!" That is so true and it is a joy that we are being able to put it into practice, because there are many broken people here.
We were told a year ago a number of perceptions that were not true. That day rang out in my heart then with a ton of hurt and emotions that were painful and almost devastating. The words that were said caused both of us to reflect on the pain as well as cause us to run fully into the arms of a Heavenly Father that only speaks truth. And when He speaks hard truth, it is totally surrounded and couched in love. Perfect, eternal and completely unconditional love.
During the course of the year, we experienced many ups and downs. We felt isolation, abandonment, disillusionment and betrayal. With the help of the Lord as we questioned and wondered what was up we found ourselves finding confidence in Him and not in man. We would find ourselves on our knees and in the Word and being strengthened by Him. As scripture say, in our weakness, He makes us strong.
We found ourselves being cared for and loved on by some wonderful missionaries that had been in almost identical situations through the course of their year in ministry. Their care through the course of the year was so beneficial and helpful that we were finding ourselves renewed, restored and refreshed.
Then, we began to find the Lord directing us to a new ministry and the opportunity to experience a rebirth of the passion and desires that the Lord had given us. With the gifts and toolset that the Lord has blessed us with, He was going to use it again to His Glory. We knew that He was rebuilding in our lives what had been taken away. We had gone from hopelessness and despair to happiness and delight in Him.
Yesterday, walking hand in hand down the cobble stone streets of Kusel, Germany, we knew we were right where God wants us. We have been experiencing a real since of peace as well as fulfillment in our ministry He has brought us too! Who would ever have thought a year ago we would be in Germany working in the lives of our US military students here in Baumholder. God is definitely using us and what a joy it has been.
Some very impactful words were given to us by a dear friend a year ago that have become our focus in life and ministry. "Broken people minister to Broken People!" That is so true and it is a joy that we are being able to put it into practice, because there are many broken people here.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
"I am so glad that you came..."
Recently we wrapped up youth group and I had been teaching that night and one of students came up to me and said, "I am so glad that you came over here to take over the youth group." "What will it take to have you come back this fall?" "We really need to have you and mama Shack back here!"
That brought me to tears as I realized not only is it God's plan that Julie and I are here now and how critical the need is for us to be here in the fall Lord willing.
It is a real eye opener when you work with students and find the need is great in their life to have people care, love and share in their lives. They are longing for acceptance as well as unconditional love. They are seeking for this with everything they do and are. Our students here have that even intensified having one of their parents deployed downrange in the Middle East. They have intense need to know the one who made them and and have a personal relationship with their creator. What a great privilege to serve them and point them to our Heavenly Father!
When you stop for just a moment and reflect on what he was expressing it is the very heart beat of what God wants! That everyone would know Him and all would see Him through us. The desire to know the WORD and the Truth and as we if we are willing to serve and love others, they will see Jesus in us.
Would you continue to pray for us as we serve the students in Baumholder with Cadence Student Ministries and as we seek the Lord for His leading as we desire to return in the fall. We need to have more people join our ministry team in order for this to happen and God has that under control as well. Pray that He will lead the right people to join our current team that are impacting lives here for eternity. We are truly blessed that you are committed to us and Him as we fulfill the Great Commission together!
In response to his statement..."I am so glad that you came..." We are so glad that we came and that you sent us here! God is being glorified by you through us!
That brought me to tears as I realized not only is it God's plan that Julie and I are here now and how critical the need is for us to be here in the fall Lord willing.
It is a real eye opener when you work with students and find the need is great in their life to have people care, love and share in their lives. They are longing for acceptance as well as unconditional love. They are seeking for this with everything they do and are. Our students here have that even intensified having one of their parents deployed downrange in the Middle East. They have intense need to know the one who made them and and have a personal relationship with their creator. What a great privilege to serve them and point them to our Heavenly Father!
When you stop for just a moment and reflect on what he was expressing it is the very heart beat of what God wants! That everyone would know Him and all would see Him through us. The desire to know the WORD and the Truth and as we if we are willing to serve and love others, they will see Jesus in us.
Would you continue to pray for us as we serve the students in Baumholder with Cadence Student Ministries and as we seek the Lord for His leading as we desire to return in the fall. We need to have more people join our ministry team in order for this to happen and God has that under control as well. Pray that He will lead the right people to join our current team that are impacting lives here for eternity. We are truly blessed that you are committed to us and Him as we fulfill the Great Commission together!
In response to his statement..."I am so glad that you came..." We are so glad that we came and that you sent us here! God is being glorified by you through us!
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