Hey Everyone,
This year has really been a graet blessing, the LORD has opened many doors, and as always, has been very faithful to put me in situations that have caused me to learn and grow.
I have been very blessed to be serving the LORD and the Salvadorean people, and wanted to take a couple of minutes to share some of the things that have been going on.
Check it out!
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
New Radio Devotional (In Spanish) - Nueva devocional en Espanol
Un momento de Pensar con Teodoro Jédlicka
"El Dios de Amistad"
Si usted es como yo, muchas veces se encuentra con necesidades en su vida diaria, y a menudo se las lleva a Dios en oración. Pero muchas veces, estas mismas peticiones fácilmente pueden convertirse en distracciones, dominando nuestros pensamientos y oraciones, alejándonos mas del consuelo de Dios, y de la paz mediante la tormenta.
No es que Dios no escucha nuestras peticiones cuando oramos así, porque sabemos que siempre nos atiende, pero el hecho de estar pensando siempre en nuestras peticiones fácilmente nos distrae del propósito principal de la oración – lo cual es estar en comunión con el Dios de amistad.
En Génesis capitulo 28, vemos un ejemplo claro de este problema.
Jacob acaba de huir de su hermano Esau, y estando en el desierto se encuentra con Jehová.
Génesis 28:13 y15 «Yo soy el Señor, el Dios de tu abuelo Abraham y de tu padre Isaac. A ti y a tu descendencia les daré la tierra sobre la que estás acostado.15Yo estoy contigo. Te protegeré por dondequiera que vayas, y te traeré de vuelta a esta tierra. No te abandonaré hasta cumplir con todo lo que te he prometido.»
El enfoque de Dios en su mensaje para Jacob es la relación de amistad – tanto la amistad que Dios tuvo con su abuelo, Abraham, como la amistad que también quiera tener con Jacob mismo; las promesas que Dios le da sobre su herencia solo son un beneficio adicional de esta amistad. Para sellarlo todo, Dios termina su mensaje con la promesa de no abandonar a Jacob, hasta que se ha cumplido todo lo prometido.
Pero Jacob, cuando responde en versos 20 y 21, solo se enfoca en sus peticiones!
20«Si Dios me acompaña y me protege en este viaje que estoy haciendo, y si me da alimento, y ropa para vestirme, y si regreso sano y salvo a la casa de mi padre, entonces si, el Señor será mi Dios.
No repitamos el mismo error de Jacob, poniendo toda nuestra atención en las necesidades– mejor – enfoquemos nuestro tiempo con Dios en desarrollar la relación el, y conocer mejor el Dios de amistad. La respuesta de nuestras peticiones es solo un bono extra
El tiempo perfecto para practicarlo es ya, y usted puede hacerlo con una sencilla oración. Simplemente pedirle a Dios que le revele mas de El, y que abra sus ojos para conocer mas del corazón divino.
El Dios de amistad le esta esperando.
Esto ha sido "Un Momento de Pensar", con Teodoro. Gracias por escuchar, y que Dios les bendiga!
"El Dios de Amistad"
Si usted es como yo, muchas veces se encuentra con necesidades en su vida diaria, y a menudo se las lleva a Dios en oración. Pero muchas veces, estas mismas peticiones fácilmente pueden convertirse en distracciones, dominando nuestros pensamientos y oraciones, alejándonos mas del consuelo de Dios, y de la paz mediante la tormenta.
No es que Dios no escucha nuestras peticiones cuando oramos así, porque sabemos que siempre nos atiende, pero el hecho de estar pensando siempre en nuestras peticiones fácilmente nos distrae del propósito principal de la oración – lo cual es estar en comunión con el Dios de amistad.
En Génesis capitulo 28, vemos un ejemplo claro de este problema.
Jacob acaba de huir de su hermano Esau, y estando en el desierto se encuentra con Jehová.
Génesis 28:13 y15 «Yo soy el Señor, el Dios de tu abuelo Abraham y de tu padre Isaac. A ti y a tu descendencia les daré la tierra sobre la que estás acostado.15Yo estoy contigo. Te protegeré por dondequiera que vayas, y te traeré de vuelta a esta tierra. No te abandonaré hasta cumplir con todo lo que te he prometido.»
El enfoque de Dios en su mensaje para Jacob es la relación de amistad – tanto la amistad que Dios tuvo con su abuelo, Abraham, como la amistad que también quiera tener con Jacob mismo; las promesas que Dios le da sobre su herencia solo son un beneficio adicional de esta amistad. Para sellarlo todo, Dios termina su mensaje con la promesa de no abandonar a Jacob, hasta que se ha cumplido todo lo prometido.
Pero Jacob, cuando responde en versos 20 y 21, solo se enfoca en sus peticiones!
20«Si Dios me acompaña y me protege en este viaje que estoy haciendo, y si me da alimento, y ropa para vestirme, y si regreso sano y salvo a la casa de mi padre, entonces si, el Señor será mi Dios.
No repitamos el mismo error de Jacob, poniendo toda nuestra atención en las necesidades– mejor – enfoquemos nuestro tiempo con Dios en desarrollar la relación el, y conocer mejor el Dios de amistad. La respuesta de nuestras peticiones es solo un bono extra
El tiempo perfecto para practicarlo es ya, y usted puede hacerlo con una sencilla oración. Simplemente pedirle a Dios que le revele mas de El, y que abra sus ojos para conocer mas del corazón divino.
El Dios de amistad le esta esperando.
Esto ha sido "Un Momento de Pensar", con Teodoro. Gracias por escuchar, y que Dios les bendiga!
Monday, December 5, 2011
Thankfulness
Settling In
Fours months ago I left California to live and serve in El Salvador, and now with Christmas quickly approaching, I am finally beginning to feel like I am settling in.
As most of you know it is not my first time on the mission field – or in Latin America, but my time here so far has required many adjustments. The biggest of them for me has been learning to serve in a church the size of the city that I came from. With over 30 active ministries, it is always busy – there is always something going on – and always something to do. Suffice it to say that over these four months I have been slowly learning what it really means to be teachable, flexible, and available for cross cultural work.
The first test I faced in getting established was that of patience and trust as I started looking for a place to live, and safe transportation. There is something intimidating about living on your own in a foreign country. At first the excitement of so many new things pushes you forward, but then after the excitement fades, it begins to feel like you're climbing a mountain without the right equipment. And yet even without really knowing exactly what I was doing, the LORD brought me up to the top – with the help of a few new friends here, the prayers and support of many in the states, and the patience and love of the fiancee He brought alongside me.
There were many divine appointments along the climb up of course – most notably of which was the privilege Rebeca and I had of praying with a 35 year old man while buying a refrigerator, who had recently been diagnosed with prostate cancer. He accepted the LORD that day, and passed away only two weeks later. What a blessing to know He is with the LORD.
My apartment, with my *new* 1985 Celica out front ;)
English Class
Immediately after renting an apartment and buying a car, I was asked to start teaching several English classes in one of the church plants outside of the city. It seems that everywhere I have been I have been asked to teach English, and every time it has been a challenge for me to do it well. How do you teach someone a foreign language – especially one that is so overly complicated? If you don' t personally think English is very complicated, just think about the 'i' before 'e' rule, and all of it's complications.
But behind the pretense of English being difficult to teach (and it is), was something entirely different – I didn't really want to teach English, and would have much rather been teaching the Bible. But as Jonah most assuredly learned before me, the only way for someone to be fruitful in the kingdom of God is through obedience- whether we feel like doing it or not. It is only after we have begun to act in obedience that we start to 'feel like obeying'. And even though Jonah was very bitter after having watched God work on the people of Nineveh, he was obedient enough afterwards that he went on to write about the whole thing– which makes me think that Jonah, too, learned this same lesson. So, since the beginning of October, when the LORD provided me with an apartment, I have been teaching English several hours a day and am beginning to enjoy it. The classes began with my teaching seven different groups of students, five days a week. My students range from 5-60 years old, and include two groups of orphans, one adult class of new believers, and twice a week tutoring sessions with one of the Pastors of a church plant outside of the capital – who (after much prayer from many in the states) has also been a great source of encouragement and one of the few here I am able and comfortable seeking out for counsel.
A few of my students
Teamwork and Flexibility
So, just as I began to feel comfortable (or almost comfortable) teaching English, I was asked to take a two week hiatus to help with some special events in the Capital. Calvary Chapel San Salvador was celebrating their 17th anniversary, and would be hosting a week of evangelistic 'Anniversary Dinners' as well as an hour long Christmas performance each night, and a dozen or so parties for Children attending the services. I was moved temporarily back to capital, and asked to work with a ministry team of missionaries from Potter's Field Ministries. What ensued were long hours of decorating, prop building, cleaning, errand running, and table setting, and waitering for 12 straight days, 12 hours a day. During all of the hard work, more than 2000 dinners were served, 400 new people visited the church, and nearly 100 people accepted the LORD as their savior. It was a huge stretch for me – I personally can't remember having worked so much 'overtime' before, but even more was the feeling that this year I was 'missing thanksgiving'. The reward of course, is that of knowing that the kingdom of God is growing – and of course the fellowship I was able to share with the other missionaries. As iron sharpens iron – so I was sharpened during our time of fellowship, though certainly it was not without challenges.
Part of the Christmas village that we built, painted, and decorated (I also spray painted the carriage).
Love is Patient
Rebeca and I have also both been blessed, of course, as we continue in our pursuit of God together, and our walk forward towards marriage. We have faced many challenges as well – it has been a challenge to learn how to spend time together while balancing two different schedules, as well as how to deal with all of the new hurdles to jump over as I further incorporate myself into her already tight knit family. We have also been wrestling with planning a practical wedding – with the challenge of finding a date that fits into her University schedule. Through it all we have both been challenged and encouraged by the biblical standard of true love as seen in 1Corinthians 13, knowing that even when we are found incapable – Jesus, who has already completed this standard, is ever ready to help us walk it out through the empowering of His Holy Spirit. We have both found that, above all else, patience is something that we both need to grow in.
Tired, but happy to be with MI AMOR
Looking forward with Thankfulness
After two weeks of literal table serving (Acts 6:2-3), I am preparing to serve in children's ministry as we start up several VBS's in various church plants around the country during the next 8 weeks of vacation. My exact role in all of this isn't entirely clear, though I can assume that I will be very busy. I am blessed to be able to work with so many children, and, hopefully impact their lives for Christ (Big thanks to Pastor Bill and Pastor Ben for the crash course in VBS they gave me this summer - I know it will be put to great use). This week I am also looking forward to final exams for School of Ministry. Whatever the Lord brings, I know that He will use it to take me further along the path He has laid out for me, and prepare me for what lies ahead.
In the end, my time so far has been overflowing with many people, places, and things for which to be thankful. I am continually learning every day, though above all else, I find that God is continually reminding me of His great love, and constant faithfulness.
Fours months ago I left California to live and serve in El Salvador, and now with Christmas quickly approaching, I am finally beginning to feel like I am settling in.
As most of you know it is not my first time on the mission field – or in Latin America, but my time here so far has required many adjustments. The biggest of them for me has been learning to serve in a church the size of the city that I came from. With over 30 active ministries, it is always busy – there is always something going on – and always something to do. Suffice it to say that over these four months I have been slowly learning what it really means to be teachable, flexible, and available for cross cultural work.
The first test I faced in getting established was that of patience and trust as I started looking for a place to live, and safe transportation. There is something intimidating about living on your own in a foreign country. At first the excitement of so many new things pushes you forward, but then after the excitement fades, it begins to feel like you're climbing a mountain without the right equipment. And yet even without really knowing exactly what I was doing, the LORD brought me up to the top – with the help of a few new friends here, the prayers and support of many in the states, and the patience and love of the fiancee He brought alongside me.
There were many divine appointments along the climb up of course – most notably of which was the privilege Rebeca and I had of praying with a 35 year old man while buying a refrigerator, who had recently been diagnosed with prostate cancer. He accepted the LORD that day, and passed away only two weeks later. What a blessing to know He is with the LORD.
English Class
Immediately after renting an apartment and buying a car, I was asked to start teaching several English classes in one of the church plants outside of the city. It seems that everywhere I have been I have been asked to teach English, and every time it has been a challenge for me to do it well. How do you teach someone a foreign language – especially one that is so overly complicated? If you don' t personally think English is very complicated, just think about the 'i' before 'e' rule, and all of it's complications.
But behind the pretense of English being difficult to teach (and it is), was something entirely different – I didn't really want to teach English, and would have much rather been teaching the Bible. But as Jonah most assuredly learned before me, the only way for someone to be fruitful in the kingdom of God is through obedience- whether we feel like doing it or not. It is only after we have begun to act in obedience that we start to 'feel like obeying'. And even though Jonah was very bitter after having watched God work on the people of Nineveh, he was obedient enough afterwards that he went on to write about the whole thing– which makes me think that Jonah, too, learned this same lesson. So, since the beginning of October, when the LORD provided me with an apartment, I have been teaching English several hours a day and am beginning to enjoy it. The classes began with my teaching seven different groups of students, five days a week. My students range from 5-60 years old, and include two groups of orphans, one adult class of new believers, and twice a week tutoring sessions with one of the Pastors of a church plant outside of the capital – who (after much prayer from many in the states) has also been a great source of encouragement and one of the few here I am able and comfortable seeking out for counsel.
Teamwork and Flexibility
So, just as I began to feel comfortable (or almost comfortable) teaching English, I was asked to take a two week hiatus to help with some special events in the Capital. Calvary Chapel San Salvador was celebrating their 17th anniversary, and would be hosting a week of evangelistic 'Anniversary Dinners' as well as an hour long Christmas performance each night, and a dozen or so parties for Children attending the services. I was moved temporarily back to capital, and asked to work with a ministry team of missionaries from Potter's Field Ministries. What ensued were long hours of decorating, prop building, cleaning, errand running, and table setting, and waitering for 12 straight days, 12 hours a day. During all of the hard work, more than 2000 dinners were served, 400 new people visited the church, and nearly 100 people accepted the LORD as their savior. It was a huge stretch for me – I personally can't remember having worked so much 'overtime' before, but even more was the feeling that this year I was 'missing thanksgiving'. The reward of course, is that of knowing that the kingdom of God is growing – and of course the fellowship I was able to share with the other missionaries. As iron sharpens iron – so I was sharpened during our time of fellowship, though certainly it was not without challenges.
Love is Patient
Rebeca and I have also both been blessed, of course, as we continue in our pursuit of God together, and our walk forward towards marriage. We have faced many challenges as well – it has been a challenge to learn how to spend time together while balancing two different schedules, as well as how to deal with all of the new hurdles to jump over as I further incorporate myself into her already tight knit family. We have also been wrestling with planning a practical wedding – with the challenge of finding a date that fits into her University schedule. Through it all we have both been challenged and encouraged by the biblical standard of true love as seen in 1Corinthians 13, knowing that even when we are found incapable – Jesus, who has already completed this standard, is ever ready to help us walk it out through the empowering of His Holy Spirit. We have both found that, above all else, patience is something that we both need to grow in.
Looking forward with Thankfulness
After two weeks of literal table serving (Acts 6:2-3), I am preparing to serve in children's ministry as we start up several VBS's in various church plants around the country during the next 8 weeks of vacation. My exact role in all of this isn't entirely clear, though I can assume that I will be very busy. I am blessed to be able to work with so many children, and, hopefully impact their lives for Christ (Big thanks to Pastor Bill and Pastor Ben for the crash course in VBS they gave me this summer - I know it will be put to great use). This week I am also looking forward to final exams for School of Ministry. Whatever the Lord brings, I know that He will use it to take me further along the path He has laid out for me, and prepare me for what lies ahead.
In the end, my time so far has been overflowing with many people, places, and things for which to be thankful. I am continually learning every day, though above all else, I find that God is continually reminding me of His great love, and constant faithfulness.
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Online Giving
Hey guys just wanted to give you the low down on online giving. You can give online and support my mission with your Paypal, checking, or credit card account through Calvary Chapel Santa Cruz; all through this secure website:
https://www.mysimplegive.com/SG/sfDonate.jspx?uq=1313850398513&id=santacruz
Just click the link, fill in your information, and make sure to write 'Theo/El Salvador'in the "notes" section. (See below)
All online giving through this page is tax deductable - and you will recieve a receipt at the end of the year.
Thank you!
https://www.mysimplegive.com/SG/sfDonate.jspx?uq=1313850398513&id=santacruz
Just click the link, fill in your information, and make sure to write 'Theo/El Salvador'in the "notes" section. (See below)
All online giving through this page is tax deductable - and you will recieve a receipt at the end of the year.
Thank you!
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Back in El Salvador
After nearly five intense months of preparation, I am back in El Salvador - and back at work - continuing the pursuit of the call of God in my life. But it hasn't all been smooth sailing, and although I left Santa Cruz with nearly 90% of my committed support raised, and my care team willing and ready, there were many challenges here that awaited me.
My re-entry goals for these first weeks in El Salvador were rather simple - buy an affordable car, rent an adequate apartment, and pass through the time consuming process of gaining 'Missionary Residency' in El Salvador.
But it hasn't been all simple. Out of the 14 days that I have been in El Salvador, six of those were spent sick with painful and debilitating intestinal parasites. On day nine, Rebeca found, and I went and rented the perfectly located apartment, and then on day 10, while moving me in, we discovered that the apartment has no running water. On day 12, I found a car to buy, and on day 13, I was told (before buying it, thanks to God) that it had broken down. Yesterday, I also took my first step in the involved process of applying for and getting my Missionary Residence, and thanks to God, and help from Rebeca, it went very well.
Honestly, I have felt overwhelmed. I am starting to think that 'overwhelming' is one of God's favorite tools for character formation. And yet even when I start to feel this way, there is one thing that hovers in my mind. Psalm 149:2 says:
It's pretty simple. I have a maker, and He is God. I belong to a king, who is looking out for me, and is responsible for my well being, and that king is the LORD Jesus Christ. So I rejoice, and am able to be joyful, even in trials.
Whether I find a house and car, or not. Whether I am given residency, or not. My job is to work as unto the LORD in all that I do, and place all of my trust in Him - and not in things. My calling is to honor Him as my Maker and King, and to rejoice in the simple experience of knowing Him - and in that rejoicing, invite other to join me.
Yesterday, after spending more than 4 hours at government offices in pursuit of my residency, Rebeca and I boarded a bus to leave, and found ourselves entering into a place of conflict. In El Salvador, Evangelists, Beggars, Activists, and Campaigners regularly board buses to publicly share their opinions with the crowds captive audiences gathered there. Often I have found myself praying along as many a brave man stood up to share the Gospel.
But the scene on the bus was different this time around. A man stood up and began to intimidate the crowd with his booming voice and cries of outrage. He chastised them for their intolerance and judgement of his sexual practices. He blamed them for the self hatred and other emotional difficulties that he and other homosexuals had gone through. He charged them to accept and embrace all sexual practices as right and good. And then he threatened them with hellfire and the wrath of God for their supposed 'sins';
twisting and turning Bible verses about love, acceptance, and judgement to his favor, and misquoting stories about the life of David.
The crowd from the beginning had the heads bowed; whether because of shame or fear I will never
know. From the beginning, I felt a struggle within myself as to whether or not I should speak up, and what I should say. Rebeca was sitting next to me, overwhelemed and shocked.
When he began to quote the Scriptures, I could hold my peace no longer. It is one thing to sin, and yet another thing entirely to deceive others into participating in it. Finally, I spoke out.
"You sir, are wrong, and the Bible does not support your position."
My voice answered his. And with a supernatural love and direction, I began to share
"We do not reject you, sir. You are even welcome to come and visit our church."
"We love you in the love of God, the same love that gave you the gift of life, and the freedom to stand here and speak."
Some raised their heads, others opened their eyes, some even covered their ears.
"But we do not love your sin, and will not accept it. Neither will God. You must repent - for all sin is an affront against God"
"Your speech today is an attack against the very love of God, the same divine love that created you, and permits you to stand here and share with these people"
"Some would have you believe that God will reject you because of your sin, but I tell you now that their IS forgiveness for you in the heart of God, if you repent and accept Him."
"Do not fight against the love of God! Repent, and accept Him!"
Red in the face, he looked past my gazed, and repeated his charge to the passengers; one, two, three or more times - full of fury, yet with a deep set confusion upon his face.
As we stood to get off of the bus, a man touched my shoulder, and thanked me for what I had shared. What impact I had, I may never know. But in my mind one thing is clear and important.
I want to honor my King.
Prayer and Praise:
Praise God for my safe arrival back in El Salvador
Praise God for raising up my financial support and care team before I left
Pray for Rebeca and I as she helps me look for the right car and house for me to live in
Pray for me as I start to serve full time in the ministry here with CCSS
Pray for Rebeca as she finishes her University classes this year
Pray for our wedding and future marriage next year
Pray for both of us to clearly hear God's voice, and grow in out intimacy with Him
My re-entry goals for these first weeks in El Salvador were rather simple - buy an affordable car, rent an adequate apartment, and pass through the time consuming process of gaining 'Missionary Residency' in El Salvador.
But it hasn't been all simple. Out of the 14 days that I have been in El Salvador, six of those were spent sick with painful and debilitating intestinal parasites. On day nine, Rebeca found, and I went and rented the perfectly located apartment, and then on day 10, while moving me in, we discovered that the apartment has no running water. On day 12, I found a car to buy, and on day 13, I was told (before buying it, thanks to God) that it had broken down. Yesterday, I also took my first step in the involved process of applying for and getting my Missionary Residence, and thanks to God, and help from Rebeca, it went very well.
Honestly, I have felt overwhelmed. I am starting to think that 'overwhelming' is one of God's favorite tools for character formation. And yet even when I start to feel this way, there is one thing that hovers in my mind. Psalm 149:2 says:
Let Israel rejoice in their Maker;
Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.
It's pretty simple. I have a maker, and He is God. I belong to a king, who is looking out for me, and is responsible for my well being, and that king is the LORD Jesus Christ. So I rejoice, and am able to be joyful, even in trials.
Whether I find a house and car, or not. Whether I am given residency, or not. My job is to work as unto the LORD in all that I do, and place all of my trust in Him - and not in things. My calling is to honor Him as my Maker and King, and to rejoice in the simple experience of knowing Him - and in that rejoicing, invite other to join me.
Yesterday, after spending more than 4 hours at government offices in pursuit of my residency, Rebeca and I boarded a bus to leave, and found ourselves entering into a place of conflict. In El Salvador, Evangelists, Beggars, Activists, and Campaigners regularly board buses to publicly share their opinions with the crowds captive audiences gathered there. Often I have found myself praying along as many a brave man stood up to share the Gospel.
But the scene on the bus was different this time around. A man stood up and began to intimidate the crowd with his booming voice and cries of outrage. He chastised them for their intolerance and judgement of his sexual practices. He blamed them for the self hatred and other emotional difficulties that he and other homosexuals had gone through. He charged them to accept and embrace all sexual practices as right and good. And then he threatened them with hellfire and the wrath of God for their supposed 'sins';
twisting and turning Bible verses about love, acceptance, and judgement to his favor, and misquoting stories about the life of David.
The crowd from the beginning had the heads bowed; whether because of shame or fear I will never
know. From the beginning, I felt a struggle within myself as to whether or not I should speak up, and what I should say. Rebeca was sitting next to me, overwhelemed and shocked.
When he began to quote the Scriptures, I could hold my peace no longer. It is one thing to sin, and yet another thing entirely to deceive others into participating in it. Finally, I spoke out.
"You sir, are wrong, and the Bible does not support your position."
My voice answered his. And with a supernatural love and direction, I began to share
"We do not reject you, sir. You are even welcome to come and visit our church."
"We love you in the love of God, the same love that gave you the gift of life, and the freedom to stand here and speak."
Some raised their heads, others opened their eyes, some even covered their ears.
"But we do not love your sin, and will not accept it. Neither will God. You must repent - for all sin is an affront against God"
"Your speech today is an attack against the very love of God, the same divine love that created you, and permits you to stand here and share with these people"
"Some would have you believe that God will reject you because of your sin, but I tell you now that their IS forgiveness for you in the heart of God, if you repent and accept Him."
"Do not fight against the love of God! Repent, and accept Him!"
Red in the face, he looked past my gazed, and repeated his charge to the passengers; one, two, three or more times - full of fury, yet with a deep set confusion upon his face.
As we stood to get off of the bus, a man touched my shoulder, and thanked me for what I had shared. What impact I had, I may never know. But in my mind one thing is clear and important.
I want to honor my King.
Prayer and Praise:
Praise God for my safe arrival back in El Salvador
Praise God for raising up my financial support and care team before I left
Pray for Rebeca and I as she helps me look for the right car and house for me to live in
Pray for me as I start to serve full time in the ministry here with CCSS
Pray for Rebeca as she finishes her University classes this year
Pray for our wedding and future marriage next year
Pray for both of us to clearly hear God's voice, and grow in out intimacy with Him
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Missions Dinner in Mount Hermon!
Want to eat some authentic Salvadorean food, and have a chance to chat about what is going on in El Salvador, and with my life? Come to the dinner friday night!
To RSVP - just drop me an email, or leave a comment here on this page! For directions, give me a call!
I look forward to seeing you all there!
To RSVP - just drop me an email, or leave a comment here on this page! For directions, give me a call!
I look forward to seeing you all there!
Friday, April 29, 2011
Busyness
So here I am - a little over 4 weeks into my re-adjustment to life back in California - with 3 months left on my home-tour, and I feel like I am finally now getting used to being an American - all over again.
Have you ever felt so busy that there wasn't enough time in the day to get everything done? Overwhelmed by so many things to do and places to be? Or maybe your schedule has been keeping you from really going deep in life, and relationships - even your relationship with God. Have you ever been so busy, that it was actually hard to see God in the midst of everything? Maybe feeling like there just isn't enough time in the day, isn't how it is supposed to be. Did God intend for our lives as Americans to be this way (most other cultures don't seem to struggle with this)?
My first two weeks were a crucible of sorts - re-learning to juggle people, places, things, work, and events left me feeling almost breathless and reaching for direction. Ministry in El Salvador was never easy - but it was straight-forward. Study the Bible - Teach the Bible. Invest in relationships - Make disciples. Each day organized itself into the most important priorities - God, people, and work.
Anything else that didn't fit into the day, was just left out.
Fast forward and fast track back to the US of A, and the daily equation of time management- and the needs behind it - become very big indeed. With too much to do, and not enough time - almost everything finds its way onto the chopping block at one point or another. But what should we cut out, and what do we keep?
Jesus' ministry obligations were so demanding that He found Himself skipping meals at times (Mark 3:20, John 4:31, Matthew 12:1)- though we know that some of the best time that He spent with His disciples and followers was also during meals (Luke 10:38-41, Luke 22:14-23). We may live in one of the only countries in the wolrd that has plenty of food, but still skips meals, and has to be reminded by our national media to eat breakfast, all because we are too busy.
So with all of this busyness surrounding me, is it surprising that I've often felt overwhelmed?This last week has been a mix for me of working some construction jobs, and preparing materials to share with the different congregations and groups I will be visiting and hosting- to raise awareness, and prayer and financial support. This Sunday I will be sharing with Calvary Chapel Santa Cruz (my home church) - and having two different El Salvador themed dinner parties over the course of the next two weeks to raise awareness as well. I have missed a few meals trying to juggle everything during this time, but am still encouraged. God, People, and work for His kingdom are my priorities. And I know that if I seek Him first, I can't go wrong.
Prayer Points:
Please continue to pray for me as I take the time to share my heart for El Salvador - and fir God's work there with my home congregation (and others in the weeks to come).Please pray for
1. The encouragement of the Body of Christ as I share. Please pray that God would stir up hearts and minds, encouraging everyone that is present to desire a deeper relationship with God, and to walk in faith.
2. That those in the body who may be praying about becoming missionaries would be encouraged, equipped and challenged to walk in the calling.
3. That God would raise up from the Body men and women to be a part of the ministry in El Salvador - through a commitment to prayer, and regular financial giving. (If you are interested in supporting me, you can do so by clicking the paypal button on the right hand side of this page, or by giving through Calvary Chapel Santa Cruz online by clicking here, selecting 'special missions', and writing 'El Salvador' in the space below)
Have you ever felt so busy that there wasn't enough time in the day to get everything done? Overwhelmed by so many things to do and places to be? Or maybe your schedule has been keeping you from really going deep in life, and relationships - even your relationship with God. Have you ever been so busy, that it was actually hard to see God in the midst of everything? Maybe feeling like there just isn't enough time in the day, isn't how it is supposed to be. Did God intend for our lives as Americans to be this way (most other cultures don't seem to struggle with this)?
My first two weeks were a crucible of sorts - re-learning to juggle people, places, things, work, and events left me feeling almost breathless and reaching for direction. Ministry in El Salvador was never easy - but it was straight-forward. Study the Bible - Teach the Bible. Invest in relationships - Make disciples. Each day organized itself into the most important priorities - God, people, and work.
Anything else that didn't fit into the day, was just left out.
Fast forward and fast track back to the US of A, and the daily equation of time management- and the needs behind it - become very big indeed. With too much to do, and not enough time - almost everything finds its way onto the chopping block at one point or another. But what should we cut out, and what do we keep?
Jesus' ministry obligations were so demanding that He found Himself skipping meals at times (Mark 3:20, John 4:31, Matthew 12:1)- though we know that some of the best time that He spent with His disciples and followers was also during meals (Luke 10:38-41, Luke 22:14-23). We may live in one of the only countries in the wolrd that has plenty of food, but still skips meals, and has to be reminded by our national media to eat breakfast, all because we are too busy.
So with all of this busyness surrounding me, is it surprising that I've often felt overwhelmed?This last week has been a mix for me of working some construction jobs, and preparing materials to share with the different congregations and groups I will be visiting and hosting- to raise awareness, and prayer and financial support. This Sunday I will be sharing with Calvary Chapel Santa Cruz (my home church) - and having two different El Salvador themed dinner parties over the course of the next two weeks to raise awareness as well. I have missed a few meals trying to juggle everything during this time, but am still encouraged. God, People, and work for His kingdom are my priorities. And I know that if I seek Him first, I can't go wrong.
Prayer Points:
Please continue to pray for me as I take the time to share my heart for El Salvador - and fir God's work there with my home congregation (and others in the weeks to come).Please pray for
1. The encouragement of the Body of Christ as I share. Please pray that God would stir up hearts and minds, encouraging everyone that is present to desire a deeper relationship with God, and to walk in faith.
2. That those in the body who may be praying about becoming missionaries would be encouraged, equipped and challenged to walk in the calling.
3. That God would raise up from the Body men and women to be a part of the ministry in El Salvador - through a commitment to prayer, and regular financial giving. (If you are interested in supporting me, you can do so by clicking the paypal button on the right hand side of this page, or by giving through Calvary Chapel Santa Cruz online by clicking here, selecting 'special missions', and writing 'El Salvador' in the space below)
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