...wow...

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. -Matthew 13:44

...untitled hymn

...heat wave!

..."it takes a village to raise a child"

Wait, it takes who? ::laughs::


"Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength. These commandments I give to you today shall be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house, when you walk along the way, when you lie down and when you rise up. And you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets on your foreheads, and you shall write them on the doorposts of your house, and on your gates."

Deuteronomy 6:6-9

...just because

...I don't talk about it enough. And you guys are just dying to see more stuff on human psychology.
Left side; organized and analytical.
Right side; creative and imaginative.

...sad, but true

Tell me that isn't the truth. :)

...peaches

Yes, those are rotton peaches.
No, they were not suppose to be in there, but it's a cool picture nonetheless.
...and it makes me happy. :)

Photo credit; Luke Gatley .

...HERE I COME!

I love the look on my friend's faces when I tell them that my dad doesn't make me or either of my siblings pay a penny of our trip to Gleanings every year. I guess I'm the only one that has had a free ride so far. :D
Anyway, this year, money is tight over here (pastor's wages, you know?), so I decided to make a little money to help my dad out this trip. Well, thanks to lots of work and many generous donors to the cause, I (with the help of my siblings) have officially raised 700$ (to the DOLLAR!) to put towards Gleanings for the Hungry.
That'll pay for everything. For all four of us! Food up and back, gas, board, everything.

Now. When I tell people that I pay 150$ a head to go down to California, spend my vacation time, and work in the 103 degree heat, they often pinch themselves. ::laughs::

But wow. It's...amazing. To be able to pray for every peach as it goes by and know that it will be used to reach someone with the gospel is a feeling not soon to be forgotten. I met some of my best friends down there. The bright sunshine shining down on us in the courtyard on break, everyone downing as much food as they can because lunch isn't for another 2 hours. ::laughs:: The intoxicating scent of sulfer mixed with the smell of millions of peaches. The worship, the unfailing miracles, the prayer, the sheer presence of G-d that is so unmistakeable on that base.
Lord willing, I'll be heading out August 27th. And I can't wait.
Video: Household of Faith team, 2010

...::laughs::

...quote #8

"To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable."

-C.S. Lewis

...He's My Rock: I dare you to pray this

See the link! He's My Rock: I dare you to pray this

Proverbs 30;
“Two things I ask of you, LORD;
do not refuse me before I die:
Keep falsehood and lies far from me;
give me neither poverty nor riches,
but give me only my daily bread.
Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the LORD?’
Or I may become poor and steal,
and so dishonor the name of my God."

...do w.h.a.t.?!

"...As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." -Isaiah 55:9

I love that verse. I totally agree and can totally vouch for it's validity! Something that has been insanely obvious to me recently is this; almost everything that the Bible calls us to do is against our natural human reactions.

Here's a few examples;

-When someone offends us, we are to turn the other cheek.

-When we do something wrong, we are fess up to the consequences instead of lying or cheating.

- ::gasp::: We are to love our enemies!

-If someone takes your coat, give them your cloak also.

-Give to any man that asks.

-Pray for our enemies.

-Go the extra mile.

-You are not a profitable servant until you go the extra mile.

-Submit to authority, whether you like it or not.

-Here's the killer: to be the greatest in the kingdom you have to be the servant of all.

-Seek FIRST eternal things before you pursue earthly obligations.

-Be anxious for nothing.

-Fear not.

-You are more blessed to give than receive.

-Rejoice in our sufferings (for Christ).


If you save your life, you'll lose it.

Wow. Is that not an amazing list? Sometimes I follow the Bible- holding my tongue the whole time-because it simply makes no sense to me why I should do this, that, or the other. But remember that verse-know that he has His plans and reasons (honestly, why would the road be called "narrow" if it made any sense to our carnal minds?)-and it'll make loving your antagonistic neighbors a lot easier to handle!

Philippians 1:20-21;
"I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain."

...what's your motivational gifting?

We all have a gifting. The motivational giftings, listed in Romans 12, though they are gifts from the Lord, they are inside the human person. Christians and non-Christians alike carry these giftings to bless those around them and to bless those of the Household of Faith. These are built within the soul, and everyone has one.

I want to know which one you have. Be honest; don't list that which you wish you had. No one gift is better than another! What would the body of Christ be like if everyone was the same?

Also, I'll tell you that these gifts are pretty obvious. The two giftings I possess are so strong in me that most people that know me well don't even have to think about it. And as I think of others that I am close to, at least 1 gifting stands out in my mind as an obvious selection.

Comment and tell me which gift you have!

If you aren't really sure, do more reaserch on the gifts; you'll figure it out soon enough.

Hint: the best way to figure out your gifting is by looking at it's weaknesses. :D

PROPHESYING: I Corinthians 12:28, Acts 14:23
Sees right to the heart of a issue. They are motivated to reveal what is true; They are concerned with revealing the other persons motives; They have a natural "discernment". Revealing unrighteous motives or actions by presenting truth. They have an ability to discern people’s character and motives. They often have an urgency to speak plainly and persuasively with a capacity to identify, define, and hate evil. There is a willingness to experience and prompt brokenness. They have a real concern for God’s reputation and can bring to light things previously concealed.

Weaknesses:

-It is hard to keep silence when they feel truth is being twisted or hidden or offended.
-They usually lack tact
-They need to learn to speak the truth in love
-They need to know "when" to speak. Proper channels of "who" to speak to
　

SERVING: Luke 23:50-54, Romans 12:7, 16:1-16, Philippians 2:19-23
The function of demonstrating love by meeting practical needs. In a server, there is a will to fulfill needs regardless of weariness. They have a real capacity to be involved in many activities and often too many causing frustration at limitation of time. They have a desire for appreciation which is fulfilled by serving others. They have an ability to recall likes and dislikes of people and often enjoy short range goals better than long range goals. They have an ability to detect insincerity and usually are not gifted at public speaking. They are willing to let others have the credit.

Weaknesses:

-Their motives are often misunderstood
-Trying to "be seen" or "showing off"
-Easily offended if you don’t show them appreciation.
-They look down their noses at people who don’t see the physical needs.

TEACHING: Matthew 5:1-12, Acts 18:24-48, Romans 12:7, I Corinthians 12:28
Is motivated to validate truth, wants to know "why" "how" "when" "where". Likes to know facts details. Searching out and systematically presenting truth. They have a delight in research in order to validate truth. They present truth in a systematic sequence. They have a resistance to Bible illustration out of context. They almost receive a greater joy researching than presenting truth and often spend hours in research. They have an appreciation for preciseness of words, and believe their gift is foundational to all other gifts.

Weaknesses:

-Much detail, more info than you could ever use-Great difficulty communicating the practical use of their knowledge
-Easily offended & critical

EXHORTATION: John 14:1, II Timothy 1:16-18, III John 5-8
Is motivated to be on top of any situation, is not easily discouraged. To stimulate faith and encourage growth in others. They have a tendency to avoid theoretical speculation that lacks practical application. They have an urgency to see specific action. They have an ability to see tribulation as an aid to maturity. Often, they have an insistence on outward proof for inner conviction and take delight in personal counseling. They tend to be positive and their emphasis is practical and personal, encouraging a person to pursue a specific course of conduct. They discover insights from human experience which can be validated and amplified in scripture. This might be called the gift of encouragement toward personal progress. They tend to be greatly loved because people are drawn towards them. 　

Weaknesses:

-They often won’t let you grieve
-Often lack empathy
-Very mind over matter
-Can run over or ignore the work of the Holy Spirit.-They skip "process"
-Easily offended

GIVING: Luke 21:1-4, Romans 12:8, II Corinthians 9:6-15
Helping to meet the material needs of others. They have an ability to make wise purchases and investments. They have a desire to give quietly to effective projects. Sometimes they attempt to use their own giving to motivate others to give. They have joy when their own giving is an answer to prayer. They have a desire to feel part of the supported cause. They are often looking for needs and spending their life on others. They have an ability to organize their personal business in order to gain assets, and usually are not too thrilled to receive but prefer to give. They have a tendency to overlook long range goals in meeting immediate needs.

Weaknesses:

-The motivation to make money & handle money properly opens a door for hording and stinginess
-Can give everything away and not take care of themselves
-The giver is offended: if you don’t listen to their financial advice, debt offends them, lack of financial planning…

LEADERS: Romans 12:8, John 21:15-17, II Timothy 4:1-5
The Administrator is great at making an almost instant evaluation of a problem and assign steps of action to solve the problem. Delegate people to handle it, fully capable of making adjustments as they go. To co-ordinate the activities of others for the common goal. They have an ability to see the overall picture and know what can or cannot be delegated. They have a tendency to stand on the sidelines until those in charge turn over responsibility to them. They have a willingness to endure reactions from critics. They look at people as resources. The have a desire to complete the task as quickly as possible. If there is not structure they will assume leadership. They have an ability to distinguish major objectives and help those around them to visualize the situation. They have fulfillment in seeing all the pieces fit together. They have an ability to distinguish major objectives and help those around them to visualize the situation. They have fulfillment in seeing all the pieces fit together. They have a tendency to overlook major character faults in those who can help them achieve their goals. They have a tendency to us people to accomplish goals rather then meeting personal needs.

Weaknesses:

-The administrator can manipulate, control, or even dominate others, subconsciously
- They "expect you to do your job"
-Won't listen to the imput of others, won’t let you finish your point
-They think they already know what you’re going to say; jump to conclusions
-Extremely impatient
-Offended if you don’t obey them or if you question their command　

MERCY: Matthew 25:34-36, Luke 7:12-15, 10:30-37; Romans 12:8
Identifying with and comforting those who are in distress. They have an ability to sense joy or distress and are attracted to people in trouble. They have a desire to remove hurts and to bring healing. They have a sensitively to inconsiderate words and actions. They are often closed to insincere and insensitive people. They have a greater concern for mental pain than physical pain. They sometimes avoid firmness until it is evident that it will bring healing. They desire to meet the sympathetic and emotional needs of the body.
Very compassionate, empathetic, loyal, forgiving…

Weaknesses:

-Can be totally blind to the faults of the person they are working with
-Constantly offended for others

Romans 12:9-21;

"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone...

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

...quote #7

"My main ambition in life is to be on the Devil's most-wanted list." 

-Leonard Ravenhill

...quote #8

"Books are the ultimate dumpees: put them down and they’ll wait for you forever;
pay attention to them and they always love you back."
-John Green

...matthew 6:33

"...but seek FIRST His kingdom and His righteousness, and ALL these things shall be added unto YOU as well."

-Matthew 6:33

...[cite!]

If I've learned anything from David's class, it's that with every truth statement, there is a-

...psalm 139:13-18

 For You created my inmost being;

You knit me together in my mother’s womb.

     I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

Your works are wonderful, 

I know that full well.

My frame was not hidden from You

when I was made in the secret place,

when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.

Your eyes saw my unformed body;

  all the days ordained for me were written in Your book 

before one of them came to be.

How precious to me are Your thoughts, God!

How vast is the sum of them!

Were I to count them,

       they would outnumber the grains of sand—

when I awake, I am still with You.

:)