I'm Back!

Unfortunately, it has taken me forever to return to writing on this blog, but they changed the login and password and I had no idea what was going on until now. I just gave up hope and then thought I'd give it one last try, and by the grace of God I was able to log in again with a different username I didn't even think to try before due to my confusion! Nevertheless, oddly enough all this confusion happened right at the time I was experiencing a lot of physical pain and wanted to testify to God's goodness in the midst of the storm. So, I hope to get that one up at some point in time, so be looking out for that! But since then there have been quite a few developments: A. I'm getting married to the most wonderful woman in the world! B. We're going to serve as missionaries in Spain C. I'm doing a double M.A. in Christian Ed. and Cross-Cultural Communication and D. Now I'm working as a Middle School Teacher in a Christian School! Amazing, huh? God has taken me from UPS to a full time job in about 8 months, and has made time for me to go to Spain for 2 weeks with my fiancee! We went on a vision trip in late May and got to meet a ton of missionaries from Spain and to see what life there would really be like. God has been so good that I just can't tell it all! He was good in the midst of the storm of pain, He's been good in getting a wife and full-time job, and He will be good in the future as we prayerfully consider where He is leading us in Spain excactly, and what He wants us to do there. Currently, we're looking to God to provide for us financially as I have a lot of school debt and well...I'm a teacher so I'm far from riches (probably from my own good). Nonetheless, I'd appreciate your praises to God for His goodness and your prayers for His provision! May the Lord bless you beyond what you can imagine!

Blessed are the Peacemakers

Yesterday during my personal study of the Word, I had a startling revelation on Matthew 5:9 ("Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God). Previously when I read this verse, I always thought blessed are the peacemakers in the sense of conflict mediation between nation-states and people. But I believe God revealed to me yesterday how it goes much deeper than that. This is because God Himself is in the business of making peace (see 2 Corinthians 5), for He reconciled us to Himself through the blood of His Son Jesus, thus satisfying His just wrath on sin. Thus as Romans 5:1 says, "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ..." So since we have peace with God as believers, we go forth as peacemakers, to lead others to God (i.e. evangelism and discipleship. Thus, as an aspiring missionary, then, I carry the title of "Peacemaker," for I go to a place that is hostile to the Lord and His kingdom, and by making disciples by God's grace, bring peace not only to people individually, but whole communities and cities and hopefully the entire country to peace with God).
Whereas previously we were at war with God in the flesh, now we have peace with God the Father because of the sacrifice of His Son, and now we live in the power of the Holy Spirit, so we no longer have to satisfy the desires of the flesh that war against God. Now that we are no longer at war with God, there is no condemnation for us who are in Christ Jesus. Since we are at peace with God (and this is what really set me free), GOD IS NOT MAD AT US! So often because of my sin I feel condemned, guilty, and completely out of favor with God. I try to chastise myself through guilt, as if seeking a righteousness of my own aside from God. But really this line of thinking is blasphemous! It is completely against God in that it makes the blood of Jesus that was shed on the cross look like Hawaiian Punch. It's me saying that the blood of Christ is insufficient to cleanse me, therefore I must gain God's good graces by my actions. Although I don't say it out loud, this is the underlying belief that my actions dictate. The truth of the matter, however, is that all of my works are as filthy rags before Him (Is. 64:6), and it is, "...by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast."(Ephesians 2:8-9). So my brothers and sisters-in-Christ, walk in light of the grace you have been given - a marvelous peace with God - and no longer judge or condemn yourself , but humbly come back to the Lord in sincere repentance and with a thankful heart knowing that, "Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."!!!!!!!!!
P-R-A-I-S-E- T-H-E -L-O-R-D!!!!!!!!!!

On Prayer

As Reading Week (A week DTS students get off due to a conference that most of our Professors attend) comes to close, I continue to reflect upon my role in God's kingdom, and what the Christian life truly looks like. Not just the superficial, but the hard work of bringing everything in life under the subjection of the Lord Jesus Christ- really, following in the footsteps of God the Father as He created order out of chaos. This is an arduous and exciting process. This year my focus has been on prayer, and I have at least gained a sincere appreciation for relying on God in prayer. I look forward to waking up and connecting with the Father, and stealing away to a quiet place to pray throughout the day (though this has often proved challenging). I have discovered that without prayer, my plans are often laid to waste, and that simply by praying to God, not only do things go much smoother, but my Faith is increased. In seeing a ready response to my prayers, I am encouraged to pray more, and trust God all the more. It seems almost like I'm building up a repository of answered prayer, that will serve as a treasure chest of proof of God's faithfulness, especially when the storms of life are raging.
Now, as the year draws to a close, it seems that nothing is too big or too small to pray about. The fight is always to suppress my pride and submit to God by relying on Him in Prayer. Furthermore, the more I pray, the more I enjoy praying. It's nothing short of amazing to think that the God of all the universe has given us a vehicle for us to connect with Him, while here on earth, It would take a miracle for me to even be able to meet with the President of my own country.
I've learned it is futile to ever try to go it alone. Jesus said that He is the vine, and that we are the branches, and apart from Him we can do nothing (John 15:5, paraphrase). I've discovered that prayer is the best way to abide in Him. It puts God at the forefront of all of my plans right where He should be, and with my feeble ideas He is, "...able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us..." (Ephesians 3:20).

Vision for the International

After a year of heavy testing by the Lord I'm riding a wave of thankfulness for relief and I find myself daily renewed by His Spirit and a fresh vision for my life lived out for him. Since I was a child I have always had an affinity for other cultures, which was reflected in my international group of friends and learning of foreign languages. However, what started out as a hobby; things like being vice president of Int'l club in High School, studying abroad in Spain, living in an international dorm, and joining organizations like the 'Asian American Association.' 'National Association of Black Journalists,' and 'Students Advocating a Multicultural Experience,' has now become the center point of my future vocation. What started as a road into the secular realm became a passion for the kingdom of Jesus Christ- to preach salvation in Him to the ends of the earth. Thus these two longings became combined, and now I find myself in Seminary, a Master's of Theology student in the Cross-Cultural Ministries track. What started as a desire to go to Spain since I was twelve became a reality in 2003 when I finally went, and a desire to return to visit has now become a desire to return to make disciples in this nation. Only in my case, I will do so with the unique stamp of an African American missionary, and I fervently desire to include the Black Church in this endeavor not only to support my efforts, but open their eyes to foreign missions and bring our unique gifts in the body to others who need to know and be encouraged by Christ Worldwide. Well, I think this should suffice for the first entry, but I'm excited to see how God will continue to grow, shape, and or change this vision over the next several years as a push through Dallas Theological Seminary. Stay tuned for the exciting outcome...one year down, five more to go!