Babel, Pentecost, & Paul

Well, i think that today went good at View Baptist Church. I'm getting to know some of the peoples there pretty well, though in an ironic turn of events there were more college than youth today. This mornings lesson was over the TOWER OF BABEL in Genesis 11 - what i liked most about the lesson was its connection to ACTS 2 and the story of PENTECOST. It is truly a testament that God can work even after the fall, after we sin... these were not superhuman people who spoke in tongues of fire in different languages, they were merely people who chose to be used by God, so God used them in a mighty way.

Tonight we looked at Philippians 1:1-11 after i played some sweet-awesome guitar praise and worship music (if i do say so myself - and since this is my blog i do!). Its quite amazing the depth at which the author Paul used certain words to convey such meaning. I still cant get over the concepts of being a bond-servant for Christ, intercessory prayer, and the fact that Paul would take the time to write these long letters. I mean, Paul sincerely cared about the people, the congregations he sent these letters too. It wasn't just some formal answering back against some injustice or heresy, there were letters in wish Paul poured himself out - and all this while he was in PRISON, most likely being beaten, tortured, and starved because of his faith.

It makes me wonder about those being persecuted in other countries, those we, including myself, often forget about while we sit in our american houses with our american cars, our american view of church while their church is underground because its against the law for them to worship, sometimes even know God. It was in times like this that Paul continued his ministry despite everything that was happening to him.

Now, thats FAITH!

For More info on Christian Persecution go to:
http://www.persecution.com/

- Daniel

What Are You Worth?

Have you ever set down and thought about your worth?
Have you ever asked if you are worth anything? Are you worthy before Christ?

Why do people not ask themselves these questions? Why do people hide from God most of their life? well, i am tired of the mundane and want to show the world the real and true Jesus, not just a tradtional-fashioned-sunday-special that cost 10% of your income. God, Jesus, The Holy Spirit is so very much more than that.

Here is something from this book I've been reading "God.com: Extreme Intimacy with an Interactive God" by: James Alexander Langteaux:

"It's been a while since I've seen that kind of rain [of the Holy Spirit]. It's becoming a memory trace, sepia-toned and fading fast. Things seem pretty dry, and the hearts of man seem to mirror the cracked, parched soil in our sin-drenched land. What has happened to the rain? Mark twain said that everyone talks about the weather, but nobody does anything about it. Well, maybe its time we do something about the lack of precipitation in our land. Maybe its time we stop talking - stop our idol chatter - and start doing. I want to do something about the dryness that consumes this spiritually arid desert. I want to see the floodgates of heaven open and pour down heavy drops. Maybe it has nothing to do with the weather and everything to do with our idols - idols that have captured our imagination, passion, and time." (Pg. 142)

A-men
- Daniel

On the Cheerful Side

Christmas is coming with vengeance and I'm trying to get in the Christmas spirit. However, right now i am trying to focus on getting done with finals and getting all my stuff moved out of here and into the other dorm they are putting us in for next semester. I'm ready to be home, i miss my family - i really wish that school was closer. i would love nothing more than being surrounded and actually being able to visit my family.. it stinks that they are 7-8 hrs away. I guess if I was rich i could just take a 30 minute flight and be home - stupid rich people

Tut this is about CHEER!!! and JOY! The pastor from View Baptist Church called me last night to congratulate me - i was voted in to be the new part-time youth minister there! I really wish I was more expressive with my emotions and would like jump up and down. I guess I'm just too much of a southern baptist to do something so "undignified"... ha ha. So, I am supposed to start when I get back after Christmas. I am Uber-excited about this and hope that everything goes well.

I have also been pondering getting another job but do not know yet. Being on a 77 hr program, if i don't take at last 10+ hrs a semester it will be 4 or 5 years before I graduate. Last semester i took 12 hrs, 11 this semester, and 11 next... so that's like after this spring i will have - 34 hrs done - halfway!..... and honestly, after this i want to move back to houston. i miss my family way too much - and i have friends there and my home church (even if i will be ministering somewhere else). I really don't know what the future holds... i guess if i get married that could change my plans.. but living away from my family for like 8 years has been tough. I guess I'm just a softy and miss that connection that i took for granted so long. I don't know if i would live in the same house or not... I'd definitely pay rent if I did (out of respect).... but I like houston - and I think there is a better chance of finding similar single people there like me. But like I said - it just depends on the future and what God has planned for me. Abilene isn't bad - but its just so like in the middle of nowhere.

- Daniel

The Next & Final Great Awakening

For a few years in college i really thought i sensed it somehow, sometimes i feel i still do. When i sit down and read the Bible, read books and look at the news it just seems like such a real possibility: A last and final great revival. In my undergrad i did a paper on the two great awakening, focusing on America and the main evangelist starting with Jonathan Edwards and ending with Billy Graham. So many people were affected by these men, but men like Johnathon Edward had no attractive personalities - it was merely the work of God and the Holy Spirit. Jonathan Edwards was a man who preferred books to people and his speaking/preaching style was monotone and his sermons were read right from the paper he has written on. Yet, God used Edwards to begin something new, something that was already beginning to take place over the previous 100 years. Yes, God was working in the communities and in the heart of the leaders almost 100 years before the Great Awakening first happened.

I believe that the world is in place for another great awakening, unlike any great awakening before. The evidence of this can be found in the ideas of many church leaders and lay-people to return to a more traditional view of Christian's, however, this tradition is not shaped by Constantine and the Catholic Church in the 2nd Century. No, this tradition is found about 300 years prior, it is found in the example of the Gospels and the book of Acts. It is the example set by the disciples of Christ and the first missionaries and their churches in Acts. These were communities built around Christ and the use of talents and abilities given by God. There was not a hierarchy in leadership but a community, each person respected and appreciate for their place in the church. The people themselves would stand up and preach about God and what he had been doing in their lives, the disciples and missionaries being the mediators who would cut down any false doctrines that might arise during these times.

We lack this community but it seems to be returning. We, as the church, are finding that the truth is not only found in the preacher, not only found in the leaders and ministers who are paid but also truth is found in the life of those lay-persons in the church, those members who live a life to glorify God. These people are as much witnesses to the things of God as the pastors who preach to them every Sunday and/or Wednesday. The emphasis today on both evangelism and discipleship are obvious, the need for community and relationships by the current generations can be seen, the real threat of evil and terror, and the technology of the Internet and worldwide community provide both a means and audience for the next revival.

Will this happen? Is it possible? Is this a vision from God? I do not know. I want to believe that it is possible though it seems unlikely to me sometimes. I want to believe that there will be one last and great revival before Christ comes and takes his people into his arms. Are we willing to pray for it? Are we willing to obey, serve and sacrifice for such a time, for such an opportunity?

- Daniel