He Is Enough ...

You provide the fire
And I'll provide the sacrifice
You provide the Spirit
And I will open up inside

Fill me up God
Fill me up God
Fill me up God
Fill me up God
Fill me up God

Love of God overflow
Permeate all my soul
Love of God overflow
Permeate all my soul

Fill me up God
Fill me up God

I know the lyrics to this song are pretty basic, but I lived them out last week. Unfortunately, but fortunately last week here in the Quip was the most challenging and heartbreaking week for me since I have been here. Due to some situations that happened, I found myself directly in the middle of "the fire." Even more so, I found myself having to "sacrifice" some things, that I admittingly so did not want to sacrifice. There were people I needed to confront, and people were confronting me. Though all of these confrontations were without a doubt out of love, concern, and protection - pain still happened. I have come to realize throughout my life that emotional pain hurts a lot more than physical pain. Physical pain sucks, but I can deal with it. I have a much harder time dealing with emotional pain. All of this being said, God is good. He Is Enough . . .

Though I was put through the fire this past week, God still revealed Himself to me. He did this through the love and prayers of others, and quite honestly the pain in which I felt. One of my friends here mentioned that people think being a believer is walking with Christ in the victories of others, serving one another, and being in prayer for individuals. Which it is. However, he made it real clear that true ministry is sacrificing things and people that you might not necessarily want to do in order for the Kingdom to advance. Feeling absolutely numb and weak, being heartbroken, wanting to hold on to something or someone, but letting go ... that's pain, but that is ministry. It is during these times where I have found Christ to pierce my soul the most, to draw me closer and closer to Him.

This is where I must learn that God Is Enough. This goes along with my last blog referencing that things are so much easier said than done. God loves us. He loves us more than you and I could ever, ever grasp our thoughts around. He wants the very best for us. We are His children. I am thankful to our Lord for putting His children in the middle of fire, in order to advance His almighty Kingdom.

Love deeply.

Easy to Say, Harder to Live

Well, here you go again with another blog that might be hard to swallow. Trust me, I am trying to swallow it as well. We all know that everything is easier said than done. I type this now admitting that saying you are a believer and walking out what Jesus walked out is harder than anyone could ever imagine. We're all so quick to take the good, to rejoice together with Christ and our victories; yet so very slow to join Him in the suffering. Why? We are weak. We can't stand the pain. I can't stand the pain. Though we know discipline, heartache, challenges, and difficult situations draw us closer to Christ, the process is overwhelming and quite honestly unbearable at times.

There have been certain situations in my life that have molded and shaped me into the person I am today. Some of these situations have been times of rejoicing, but a majority of them have been times of suffering. If I am who I claim to be, than I have no choice but to trust in the Lord during these times. It sure doesn't take away the pain that you or I may feel throughout the trial, but it is the only option you and I have. This too shall pass ...

Love Deeply

Speak, For Your Servant Is Listening ...

Over the last couple of days I feel like our group has heard some pretty tough, but gentle words from the Lord. Two things keep coming up; conviction of compassion towards people that are hard to love, in addition to allowing God to trust us "with very little, so that we can also be trusted with much" (Luke 16:10).


It's always hard to receive discipline from the Lord, but oh how sweet it is when He draws you into His arms! I read yesterday in Luke 16 about Lazarus. Though this is not the first time I have read his story, it seemed to hit me a little harder this time. Lazarus was a beggar, covered with soars, longing to eat what fell from a rich man's table. In vs. 21 of Chapter 16, Jesus tells of how even dogs licked the sores and wounds of Lazarus. So here you have it; a man, detestable to all those around him . . . Let's face it, there are people in our life, whether it be at our workplace, school, church (yes church), family, or even those we minister to, that are hard to love. It is a challenge to love as Christ loved. If I am being honest with you there are people here in the Quip that are hard to love; those who are ungrateful, those who think the world owes them something, those who are manipulative, those who take advantage. Let me make it very clear though, this is not only in the Quip where you find these particular people. This happens all over. Even more, I am probably guilty of falling under some of these categories at some points in my life.

Who is the Lazarus in your life? Who is the person in your life that is hard to love, yet God has called you directly to minister to? HE CALLED YOU TO LOVE. When that situation arises, when you see the ultimate reflection of God's love from one human being to another, IT IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL AND PEACEFUL PICTURE EVER PAINTED.


Love God. Love your Lazarus. Love deeply.

Go Ahead Jesus, Do Your Thing

Last night, was our first open gym for basketball. IT WAS SO ENCOURAGING! Let me explain. A couple of months ago we started thinking and praying about a place where we could get a group of men together to play basketball. We really wanted to outreach to the men of our children from the summer camps. Here in Aliquippa there is really no place for people to play basketball during the winter time. There are gyms, but no one opens them up for the community; the organizations usually either charge too high of a price, or they do not want certain people in their gyms. So, we began praying specifically that a door would open for us in this vision. One day when we were prayer walking, we found ourselves standing outside one of the main churches here in the Quip. Basically, we all looked at each other and said why not? Why not go and ask? We prayed. We asked. God answered.

To make a long story short through different connections and God's favor we were promised the gym every Monday night, from 7-9. THIS WAS HUGE! It is amazing to see God's hand work through all of this. We didn't know how many guys would show up; we were in consistent contact with about 5 or 6 prior to last night. Over 25 guys showed up ranging from late highschoolers to guys who were in their early 30's. It was such an encouragement to see a bunch of guys together playing basketball, arguing about calls, and talking trash. I'M BEING FOR REAL!

When I watched and played last night, I saw God's Kingdom come! I saw what this open gym can turn into. I saw broken men. I saw redeemed men. I saw men who will on a weekly basis see God at work. This is our prayer. Our prayer screams and cries out for the men of this community, no matter what their past is nor where they are now, come to a saving and undeniable knowledge of Christ. Come Holy Spirit, come. Amen.

Love deeply.

Back In The Quip! WHAT! WHAT!

Happy New Year first of all to everyone! I started that celebration off by going to the movies and watching Alvin and the Chipmunks! Wait, what!?! Yea, you heard me. It was actually a cute and funny movie. You can make fun of me later, because we sure were the only older ones there! It's all good though! We had fun!

I had a great time at home; time went by a little too fast though. I basically got to spend time with my beautiful family and friends! My little new nephew is absolutely gorgeous. It will be interesting to see where his little personality fits in the spectrum :)

It was good coming back to the Quip though. I was missing my peeps here as well! So 2010, I'm not real big on New Years resolutions, but if I would have to pick one I would say I just yearn to draw closer and closer to God. I want to be challenged by Him, taught by Him, and restored by Him, so I can in turn help people try and grasp and understand His love and who He is. I have learned here more than anywhere else that "church" takes place outside the building and not confined to the area within 4 walls. As a body of believers we have got to understand that it does not matter what "church" you represent; it matters that the body of Christ is being represented in a way in which the Lord, Himself walked this earth. I am sure I might have just stepped on some toes with that comment, GOOD! We need to recognize!

Alright, off to keepin the party going on this first day of 2010! Love deeply!