The Willem

My Whole Heart

// September 21st, 2009 // No Comments » // Perspectives, Reflection, Strongholds

God’s been stretching me a lot lately. One of the major areas is to trust in Him for everything.

We often talk about being made strong in our weaknesses by giving God the opportunity to work through us, but what about becoming stronger in our strengths? So frequently, we pridefully believe that we can do something without God’s blessing or assistance because it falls into one of our so-called strengths. I want to challenge that pride. To arrogantly proceed without seeking God is sin, and we do so every day.

When I came to Mexico, I considered verbal communication to be my biggest strength and gifting (both on a preaching and a relational level). While I have the opportunity to speak in English with my team members and to build them up and encourage them, I can rarely communicate while doing ministry. This is an area of growth for me, as I’m learning that even my biggest strength can be as nothing to simply showing God’s love. Honestly, I can’t even hold a full conversation with an eight year old kid, so I’m learning to allow God to work through me more freely.

The thought I really am trying to convey here is that God deserves your whole heart, rather than just the parts you think you can’t manage on your own. Give up your weaknesses, give up your strengths, watch Him create something wholly new. It’ll blow your socks off.

Calledge

// September 3rd, 2009 // No Comments » // Life, Perspectives, Reflection

For those not in the know, the title is an intentionally awkward pronunciation of college.

For those not in the other know, I am now officially in college.
I’ll be taking 5 classes for a total of 12 credit hours. My classes are Strategies for Student Success (aka “How not to flunk out of college”), PE (PE online? ok…), National and State Government (did you really expect me to avoid politics in Texas?), New Testament Theology (I guess since my life depends on an understanding of this, I should try hard), and Authentic Christianity (because without it, my life and all I want to do is worthless).
I’m very excited for all of my classes and to actually get back into academia. This will be very good for me.

Our time here in Waxahachie (pronounced “wok-suh-hat-chee”) has been amazing. We’ve met incredible and gracious professors and staff who genuinely care about our walks with God, rather than just our classroom behavior. They have chapel every day on campus, a daily country to keep in prayer, and they open each class session with prayer. I’ve gained a new hunger for constant prayer, as well as a new perspective and respect for the power of God to answer our prayers. I truly have fallen in love with this campus in the two days I’ve been here; I now know that this is exactly where I’m supposed to get my education.

I’ve also met some amazing teammates. My fellow Engage students are absolute crack-ups. If nothing else, I know I will laugh every day I live with them. We already have inside jokes, a healthy feel for each others’ personalities, and nicknames for almost everyone. As we grow together over the next year, I know I will be building friendships for the rest of my life.

Tomorrow, I fly out to Guadalajara, Mexico. My flight leaves DFW at 6:45pm CST and arrives in GDL (Guadalajara) at 9:20pm CST. I would appreciate and welcome prayers for safe travel and for an easy breeze through customs. I’ll bring more detailed updates soon.

Seatac Video

// September 2nd, 2009 // 1 Comment » // Perspectives, Reflection, video