Love, not hate.

This past Wednesday was the first pancake day. Pancake days are my favorite lunches! A. Because we set up outside
B. Because we make a billion fresh pancakes and serve them to students
C. Because we get to meet so many new kids and invite them to join us at free lunches or Bible studies.
That day also happened to be 'trade your soul for a Klondike bar' day sponsored by the Athiest Agenda. Local news even came out to cover their event at which was attended by a only several students.
One guy came up and talked to one of the BSM kids and said, 'I can tell that you guys are doing this out of love. The other group is acting out of hate, but thank you guys for showing love.'
May that always be said of us!

Here are some pictures of the great times we always have. It really is a very festive day. Who knew that pancakes would make so many people so very happy.

April is a wonderful pancake artist.


A constant line. Pancakes are popular!


These guys love pancakes


The cooking crew.

Focus Weekend

The last weekend of October, we went to an apartment complex which is known to have many refugees that live there. Many of these families fled their country and are not only very far away from home, but now indebted because of plane tickets, etc. They receive some money to help them live until they can find jobs, but most of their kids do not even finish high school as they have to quit to work to help support their families. Some students have been investing in the lives of many of these children for several months.
I wasn't really sure what to expect, but ready for whatever God had for us. The first night we went to different apartments, inviting them to come to the party. We played games with them, had food for the kids and then the kids watched a movie and ate popcorn. Kevin made friends with a man from Iran who stayed and talked with us for a long time after the kids all left. He made some hot tea and brought it out to us. He was asking us many questions about our culture, political structure, etc, most of which of his questions, we did not know the answer to. He then told us that one thing he has noticed about Americans is that they have many freedoms, but do not take advantage of them. We can freely vote. We can get an education. But we often do not even care. We were challenged to learn about our country so we can tell people like him who are just coming to live here.
The following day we gave the residents some donations of clothing and also played games with the kids. We distributed The Jesus Film, dubbed into their own languages and many families were excited to actually get to see a movie in their own language.
The following day we took the kids to a Fall Festival at a church attended by many of the students. One of the little boys came up to one of the students and asked if he could come to that church every week.
We met kids from many different countries: Burundi, Iran, Rwanda, Thailand, Tanzania, Burma, etc, etc. As I was talking to them and hearing their stories, I was saddened to think that the beautiful children have only known war, poverty, political unrest, murder, and genocide for their whole lives. Living in America, we will never know the fear and pain that they have known in their short lives. I pray for those kids and believe that God will heal their hurts and I pray that some of them will come to know Him and will come to know his unconditional love that will remain with them even through the pain and fear and hurt.
(*Because of privacy, I will not post any photos of the childrens' faces.)

Stop, Look and Listen

STOP: I am so grateful for this time off the past few weeks. As much as I would have liked to skip over the whole sick part, I will take it for the beautiful time I have had resting.
LOOK: It is Fall! It is cooling off outside and the weather is just magnificent. So beautiful to go outside, sit on the swing with my Bible and a book and read while listening to the birds sing and feel to cool breeze with the sun shining on my face. I really wanted to get out of the house yesterday, so I went to get a haircut. I was tired of feeling frumpy ;) It happens when you don't feel super-great for several weeks, you want to feel comfortable and that's not usually pretty. So, a haircut would be good and a nice chance to get out of the house. After the haircut I walked to the town square while I was waiting for my sister to pick me up. The sun was shining and it was a little warm. There is a very nice fountain in the square which was so inviting... and no one to yell at me, so I sat on the edge with my feet in the water. I sat there basking in the beauty that He shows to me every day, yet I am usually to busy to see and grateful for a forced break to notice it. Today Jenny took me to a church here in town that sells pumpkins and we bought four cute pumpkins in varying sizes for only 4.50. I already baked one and made pumpkin chocolate chip muffins and will think of something creative to bake tomorrow. The other three pumpkins are providing festive decorations around the house right now. Then we went to the park and ate sandwiches and sat by the river. I am really enjoying slowing down and doing some things that I am always too busy for. Today's agenda, besides the pumpkin stuff was planting a dying flower--I really hope it will revive itself! Maybe I'm not a green-thumb, but a little practice never hurt! Then I baked honey wheat bread! I'm super-proud of myself for that one! I have never made bread without a bread machine and it actually turned out really good and everyone thought it was very yummy. Maybe I should open a bakery :)
LISTEN: This time has also been so wonderful to enjoy God and to be silent before Him. Sometimes I get so busy doing things for Him that I forget to enjoy Him. It has been so nice to sit down with my Bible and read it. Not for a Bible study that I am going to give later. Not to keep up with everyone in our weekly readings, but just to hear from Him. He does still speak through it into my life. Into the things I have been struggling with. Not that I have gotten it down, but I have been challenged in several areas, the greatest in knowing HIM. In really knowing HIM, not just because of what people say, but for it to be my personal relationship with Him. Nothing fake, but a real, genuine relationship with Him. It is a struggle sometimes to pretend that everything is perfect in my relationship with God, but that's the idea the people have. Especially with the fact that I'm in ministry, I should have a perfect relationship with God and I should know everything. I'm not and I don't. I'm learning, I'm far from perfect, but I want to continue growing and to know that I will never arrive, but I want to persevere.
I have been pondering this passage for several weeks: "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize."--ICor.9:24-27 I'm not exactly sure what Paul meant by it, but it has challenged me to not just preach, but to live what I preach. I don't want to be living anything false, whatever comes out of my mouth I want to be truth, not just in fact, but as an outpouring of my life because that is truly what I believe.

the not-so happy appy

Sometimes you are made to take a break not of your own will. Which can lead to frustration and well, frustration. It was over two weeks ago when I first got sick. Vomiting, nausea and a good dose of stomach pain. First I thought it was the flu. Then after I would normally be over it, I was still having a lot of pain and nausea. That is not normal and I resigned myself to the fact that it might be something more. After several days of waiting and testing, they discovered that I needed to go get my appendix removed. Not my idea of a fun Friday night, but neither was laying around in pain, so we went to the ER and they scheduled the surgery for the following day at 2. I wasn't really nervous about the surgery, I was intrigued by everything that was going on. Especially when the Drs would tell me what was going on in my body and what they would do to make me all better. The operating room also was pretty cool; I remember thinking that the only time I'd seen anything like it was in the movies and then I fell right to sleep and don't remember anything until I woke up feeling kind of high. Kevin and Hannah came and prayed with me and then the family came. Dad gave me flowers and the kids made me a huge card full of jokes... I had to wait a few days to read it because it hurt too much to laugh. I was pretty groggy but very grateful that they all came to see me. I slept until the following day. Peter and Nicole and the girls came to visit as well as Tim and Pamela and Bridgette and Logan and then mom and dad and the siblings. They sent me home Monday with orders for a low-calorie, low-fat diet and said I could go back to work whenever. I figured that on Wednesday I would be well enough to go back to work, so I did. It was harder than I thought, but I'm pretty tough so I did it. On Thursday in the middle of Forge I decided that it was probably not the best idea I had every had to return to work so fast. I ended up being sick all night and then all day Friday. Back to the med clinic for an IV because I was pretty dehydrated. They thought I had an infection and sent me back to the ER. Grrr... They did tests on Saturday and sent me home, only to call me Sunday and tell me to come back because they thought there was an infection. I stayed overnight and this time, being more alert, tried to have a better attitude. I took my Bible, book and ipod. The very funny and nice nurse gave me some flowers and entertained mom and I for a while, which we appreciated a lot! Rachel came to visit a few times, I was really glad she doesn't have a job so she could do that! I appreciated her company a lot! This time when the released me they said to take off at least a week. I was only too happy to comply if it meant that I will not be back in the hospital! I am so grateful for all of the medical professionals! They were all very kind and I felt like they really cared about me and getting me better--including keeping my spirits up. From the nurse who was trying to convince mom and I that we were hippie chicks to the guy in radiology who covered me up with an extra blanket for the bumpy ride back to my room to the Dr. who would share scriptures with me every time he came to visit. What if I took the time to ensure that everyone who interacted with me felt better because I took the time to care and to simply show them that they are loved.
...More on this experience later...

Week Three Update

3 lunches down. 3rd Forge Tonight.
It's been a crazy few weeks.
Thankfully we have not run out of food.
Students have all been fed.
And not only physically
but spiritually as well.
So many students are hungry-
seeking something greater
than what they've always known.

Some desire to give up 1 semester
to serve as a missionary.

One girl sincerely wanted a Bible.
What a beautiful thing
to place it in her hands
that she may read and
come to know more of this
man named Jesus.

One student spends time with
Muslim students, they listen
to each others beliefs she has
been able to share who Jesus is.
She prays and then they do.
She loves them without motivations.
At the same time praying
that God would save them.

How grateful I am for He who loved us
without condition.
Who loved in the midst of our sinfulness.
He loved us in that lowest point.
He loved us too much to leave us there.
He desired to show His glory & beauty
through our redemption.
Who bore our sins and covered us
with His beauty.
Giving us opportunity to be freed
from shame & guilt.
That we may live in freedom.
May He be glorified.

Its a New Year!

I can't believe that its already time for a new semester! We're jumping right into it though. Friday and Saturday we had tons of fun moving new freshman into their dorms. It reached 102 both days so we were really hot, but it was totally worth it! Families always appreciate the help and its a blessing to be able to serve them with something as simple as carrying their child's possessions to the third floor. One of the girls has even connected with us at both involvement fairs and is excited to be involved this semester. Funny that she was probably one of the ones that I thought would be least interested, but we invited her anyways and how wrong I was. She is a sweet kid and even is bringing her friend around. I look forward to seeing what God does in their lives this semester.

Saturday night we had a cookout and met a few other students who were bored and decided to come eat some free food. One of the girls was really interested and said, 'I wish I could come to your Bible studies, but I'm not Baptist' What a shame... JUST KIDDING! I told her that she is totally welcome and she even said, 'I'm not sure about free lunch, but I really want to come to the Bible studies!' Usually, not always, but usually kids mainly just want free food; we through in some Spiritual food for them as well though. They may think all they need is a sandwich, but we know that they need Jesus and that they will come to that realization at some point. Sunday and Tuesday were involvement fairs and we met a bunch of kids there which was also really fun. All of the in between time we stay busy preparing for the semester, meeting with kids, and contacting kids that we've already met.
It is a crazy few weeks, but full of excitement and anticipation. We know that He has great things in store for UTSA and we desire to see these 29,000 students realize their need for Him. We had a beautiful prayer gathering today. Outside about 50 feet from the President's Picnic at which they served thousands of kids burgers, veggieburgers and hot dogs. There was loud music, excited chatter, and a really nice, cool breeze. All reminding us that we are here for a purpose and a visual reminder that there are so many students right before us who are broken and dying... may our hearts be broken for them as His is.

Vacation and MORE

I arrived in Costa Rica on Friday(June 25), we stayed in San Jose for two days, exploring the city. We tried to find the bus station and ended up walking through the red light district and the most dangerous part of CR without really knowing it. God protected us!



Then we went to Monteverde for a few days and hiked up a mountain and ziplined through the cloudforest. It was one of the most gorgeous things I’ve ever seen!






Then we went back to San Jose and visited Bekah’s school and her family that she lived with.



On Friday we took a day trip to Manuel Antonio—one of the most beautiful beaches in CR and we agree! The trip home and Saturday were two very memorable days, but not that fun. As we were traveling back I started feeling really sick and started praying really hard that I would not throw up on the bus! I started getting really hot and naseaus—at this point I feel so horrible that I want to die, it’s a really horrible feeling and then I pass out. Embarrassing! Bekah taps my shoulder and wakes me up, ‘are you ok?!’ I said NO! I felt horrible, she switched me seats so I could sit by the window and get the cool breeze on my face. We still had two hours to go until we were ‘home’! Those two hours went really slow, but we finally got back and a taxi driver was there to get us, he starts hitting on us and I was so sick and about to throw up all over his car—poor Bekah had to handle everything. The guy ended up charging us double… I guess he thought he was pretty charming and worth more than the other taxi rides. We didn’t have that much money with us, so tough for him, he only got like 1.5 times what the ride should have cost. We made it inside and I ended up in bed for 24 hours. I was so upset because it was our last day and we were going to go meet a missionary whose family Kristen met in Bolivia and I really wanted to meet her! I told Bekah she should go alone because I was not able to go anywhere. She did go and her and Kari returned about 40 minutes later with crackers, something to drink and medicine. I felt so loved and special. They were going to go eat breakfast and then Bekah was going to go souvenier shopping. I was really worried for her safety because I was supposed to go and be with her to protect her. That’s what big sisters do! As she walked out the door I started crying of frustration and I felt like a failure because I was supposed to take care of her and I was sick in bed and she was taking care of me! But God spoke to me at that moment and told me that He’s got this! And a verse that I had read the day before came to mind: Luke 12:6-7 ‘Aren’t two sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet, not one sparrow is forgotten by God. Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth much more than many sparrows!’ He knows my sister, He can take care of her much better than I can. And I really had no option other than to trust Him. He does take really good care of her; of US!






This is one of the times when God has dealt harshly with me, but ever so beautifully. First off, I felt kind of bad and selfish for going on vacation. God is doing so much throughout the world and has so much for us to do, who am I to take a week, take money that could be spent better elsewhere all on myself. (Granted--Bekah and I travel super-frugally! I’m pretty positive we spend way less money on vacation than when we’re home.)
That week of vacation was one of the greatest times in my life where God just broke me and made me see a lot of my weaknesses. I guess we have a tendency to compare ourselves vertically… with those around us. Its easier on me this way because I definitely come up looking pretty good and I feel good about myself and how good I am. And God must be pretty satisfied with me! But, when I focus on myself and how I measure up to HIM, I fall so short of what He requires—which is perfection(Matt 5:48). And all I can do is fall at His feet and ask that He forgive me.
Who am I to stand before the God of the universe and tell Him that I deserve anything! He was perfect and yet loved such imperfect, selfish and horrible people so much that He sent His son to die for us so that we could have a relationship with Him and bring Him honor. What love. What Grace. What beauty.
Not that I think I’ll take a vacation ever again ;) But I think a week away was really wonderful and gave Him space to work in my life because I was totally away from everything I knew—except Bekah—and He took advantage of that time and working in my life very strongly. I praise Him for this!

A Place of Hope

Hope Gardens is a place for women and children who have been in abusive relationships and have chosen to leave, but needed a safe place to be with their children. Hope Gardens work with helping these women to get jobs and to transition back into society. We went and played games with the kids… something kind of like fugitive where we are all running in the dark, trying to smuggle Bibles to the finish line but if you get caught by the ‘police’ you have to go to ‘jail’. Its pretty much the most fun game ever! I got separated from my team and was wandering around aimlessly when a little girl named Mia asked what we were doing, I told her we were playing a game, did she want to come along. She ran up to me, took my hand and we went to ask her mom. We picked up her sister who was probably 5 and took off running. I guess we weren’t suspects because we made it all the way to the finish line without anyone chasing us! Mia and her sister—whose name I can’t remember—were having such a blast playing with the bigger kids. On our way back down the hill, Mia disappeared. The sister got really nervous, so we went on a search behind the apartments and it was really dark, she was really scared. I told her that this was an adventure and it was fun, she said she didn’t like adventures. Then we started walking through the little opening and the sprinklers came on! I picked her up and ran through them and she was laughing; afterwards, I said, ‘see, adventures are fun!’ and she informed me that that wasn’t fun. What can you say to that?! We gathered with all of the students to pray together and to say goodbye. Mia gave me a big hug and said she was going to miss me, then she took her barrette out of her hair and gave it to me ‘so that you don’t forget me,’ she said.


I wonder how many people come into her life and leave just like we did. But she didn’t hold back, she loved on us, she sang her heart out and even prayed the closing prayer as we left. I hope that I never do forget a little girl name Mia who didn’t assume that we were going to leave, but she maybe knew it, but she loved us anyways.

Two Really Cool Guys

Adrian and Ben work with Mosaic as part of Serve LA. They took time out of their busy schedules to come and hang out with us and share with us their thoughts on loving others and serving God. It was a really wonderful time of hearing them sharing their passions and here are some of my favorite things they said: “God is already having the conversation with the world.” –Ben. We are privileged to jump in and be a part of it. “My filter for the world is really hopeful. The world is full of possibility. Redemption is God’s Idea. Whenever I see anything that is broken being restored-I know that is God.” –Adrian. I loved their thoughts and their humble hearts. They want to serve in whatever way they can and they just love people along the way. I was very inspired by them!

Stop the Busyness and Share a Table

We arrived at LAX on Tuesday, May 18th, jumped on the enterprise shuttle and that was the beginning to an amazing adventure. After we went to Enterprise and got our CIA/Drug-dealer/Cool mom Suburbans(funny how a Suburban can be mistaken for three very different roles, but we got all of those in LA), we went to a California MUST: In-n-Out Burgers. The place was pretty busy and our group of twenty took up every empty table and then some. Brian and I were standing in the opening waiting for a table to open up, just chilling out. A man and woman were dressed business-y in the corner and they cleared their stuff of the space next to them and invited us to sit down with them. We sat down and started chatting; turns out they were from Dallas and had flown in real quick to do some business and were now headed back to the airport to go to the next stop. We shared stories about what we were doing in LA and before we knew it, it was time for them to leave. I smile at this very nice break in a busy day and reflect on their kindness and thoughtfulness to invite us to sit down. We were blessed to join in on their conversation and a few minutes of their lives.

A Brief History

Rewind two years...

I was a student at the Baptist University of the Americas. Studying to earn by BA in Biblical Theological Studies. I wanted to serve God. I didn't know how or why or where or when, I just believed that He had called me to serve; so the best step for me was to go to Bible school to prepare.

Then my lovely twin leaves to Bolivia for a whole year to work with children. I was kind of jealous--that is what I wanted to do, but I had to finish school. I guess in my mind, to 'be a missionary' you have to go to a far away country and learn another language. So, even though I was in Bible school, I still had a lot to learn!

But, I graduated anyways... I knew that I wanted to work in ministry and looked through many positions which all fell through. So I worked two temporary full-time jobs at a Western store and Subway. Over 70 hours a week in jobs that I knew would not last for long. I prayed that God would give me a job and would wait and wait to get phone calls. Finally in the end of July I found an opening on the BGCT Website that they were looking for a full-time intern to work with the Baptist Student Ministry at the University of Texas, San Antonio. I loved being involved in campus ministry my first two years at community college, so I decided to submit my resume.

I told my friend Belkys about it and was kind of excited about the possibility. She told me that she knew the director's wife and wrote a letter to the director. I don't know what she said, but the next day I got a call from the BGCT and they asked if I could have an interview the following day.
I had two interviews and then I waited. I quit both jobs before I had the official word; I guess I just knew that the internship was going to work out. But all together I think within two weeks I was on the job. I didn't have any idea what to expect and boy, has it been a ride.
God has taught me probably 500x more in this context than in any course I took in college. However, I am so grateful for that foundation that I received.

Kevin is a wonderful man of God who has been such a tremendous teacher and encourager. I learn a lot from Him and am so grateful that God has brought him to UTSA to lead the BSM.

Here are some of the tremendous blessings that God allows Kevin and I to work with everyday. These kids are so great! We get to encourage, challenge and love them and in turn we are encouraged, challenged and they even love us ;) We are so blessed.
I have ten billion stories that I would love to share about the BSM; about 'my kids,' about things that we have seen Him do, about things He has taught me... I just don't know where to start. So, I guess that will wait until the next post...

On Being a Servant

Suppose one of you has a servant who is plowing or looking after the sheep. When he comes in from the field, do you tell him to hurry along and eat his meal? Of course not! Instead, you say to him, 'Get my supper ready, the put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may have your meal.' The servant does not deserve thanks for obeying orders, does he? It is the same with you; when you have done all you have been told to do, say, 'We are ordinary servants; we have only done our duty.' Luke 17:7-10

What am I? I'm a servant to God. So, I should do what He tells me to; I should not need to see results, I should not need to be affirmed from people. I should do it simply because He tells me to. AND I should have that humble attitude; 'I am an ordinary servant, I have only done my duty.'

Because, when I get to heaven, this is what I want to hear:
'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!' Matthew 25:21

Wouldn't it be a shame if instead He said, 'Katie, I had so many wonderful things for you to do, but you were too busy seeking after your own comfort; seeking after the approval of others; seeking after your own plans that you missed out. I had this exciting adventure for you to take part in, but you missed it.' And even more sad to see the disappointment in His face.

A Letter to the church in America

he who has an ear to hear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. --Revelation 2:7 NKJV

To the angel of the Church in America write:
These are the words of the One who holds the seven stars and walks among the golden lampstands. I know your deeds. You live in luxury and self-indulgence, and you have forsaken your first love. I hold this against you. woe to those of you who add house to house and join field to field till no space is left. Surely the great houses will become desolate, the fine mansions left without occupants.
Give careful thought to your ways. You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes.Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded your wealth in the last days. You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' Yet it is those who are poor in the eyes of the world that are rich in faith. I have chosen them to inherit the kingdom I have promised to those who love Me. Therefore, do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Seek first My kingdom and My righteousness, and all these other things will be given to you as well. Remember, even I, the Lord Jesus Christ, though I was rich, for your sakes became poor, so that you, through My poverty, might become rich.
Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' but do not do what I say? Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says, for whoever obeys My commands--that is the one who loves Me.
What does the Lord require of you, you ask? To act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God. In fact, the entire law is summed up in a single command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'
There will always be poor people in the land. I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in the land. Defend the cause of the weak and the fatherless, maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed.
Now let's talk about fasting. You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high. Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for a man to humble himself? Is it only for bowing one's head like a reed and for lying on sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord? No, this is the fast that I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke. It is to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter--when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but had no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?
Even now, return to Me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning. Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and He relents from sending calamity.
I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Why spend money on what is not bread and labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare. then you will call, and I will answer; you will cry for help, and I will say, "here am I." If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and the malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then you light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become as the noonday. I will guide you always; I will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.
Therefore, My dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. --Jesus

(Rev 2:1-2; James 5:5; Rev. 2:4; Isaiah 5:8-9; Haggai 1:5-6; James 5:2-3; Rev, 3:17; James 2:5; Matt. 6:19-21, 33; 2 Cor. 8:9; Luke 6:46; James 1:22; John 14:21; Micah 6:8; Gal. 5:14; Deut. 15:11; Ps. 82:3; Isa. 58:4-7; I John 3:17; Joel 2:12-13; Eph. 4:1-2; Rom. 12:2; Isa. 55:2; 58:9-11; I Cor. 15:58)

A Letter to Laodicea

To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: "This is the message from the Amen, the faithful and true witness, who is the origin of all that God has created. I know what you have done; I know that you are neither cold nor hot. How I wish you were either one or the other! but because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I am going to spit you out of my mouth! You say, 'I am rich and well off, I have all I need.' But you do not know how miserable and pitiful you are! You are poor, naked and blind. I advise you, then, to buy gold from me, pure gold, in order to be rich. Buy also white clothing to dress yourself and cover up your shameful nakedness. Buy also some ointment to put on your eyes, so that you may see. I rebuke and punish all whom I love. Be in earnest, then, and turn from your sins. Listen! I stand at the door and knock; if any hear my voice and open the door, I will come into their house and eat with them, and they will eat with me. To those who win the victory I will give the right to sit beside me on my throne, just as I have been victorious and now sit by my Father on his throne. If you have ears, then, listen to what the Spirit says to the churches!" (Revelation 3:14-22)
**Commentary by Richard Stearns from "A Hole in Our Gospel."
'Laodicea was an important center of trade and communication, strategically located on a main Roman road stretching from Ephesus, on the coast, inland to Asia. This city was famous for both its banking industry and a great school of medicine. In fact, the Laodiceans produced a well-known ointment for the eyes. They also boasted a one-of-a-kind, glossy black wool for weaving, which created great wealth for their city. They were even rich enough to refuse help from Rome when their city suffered a major earthquake in AD 60. And because they had achieved prosperity by themselves, Laodicea had a reputation for self-sufficiency and pride.'
In constrast to its glowing attributes, Laodicea was also known for its poor water. On the other hand, nearby Hierapolis was famous for its hot springs, which boasted medicinal properties. People traveled there daily for a dip in the healing waters. Colossae, also a neighbor, was known as well for its cold, pure waters. A drink from the springs of Colossae was refreshing to many a traveler in the heat of the day. But Laodicea's waters were brought in by aqueduct and were neither hot nor cold--but lukewarm. Interestingly, as Christ looked at His church there, He was essentially saying that their works--like their waters--were so tepid that they were good for neither spiritual healing nor spiritual refreshment. The result? 'You make me want to vomit'(v.16 MSG). the Lord found them thoroughly disgusting."
I think that the things that the church thought that they had down, God condemns and tells them that it is not good enough. They needed pure gold from Him, they needed white clothing from Him and they even needed eye ointment from Him. Even though these things were all good things, they were not good enough and they did not buy them any special favors from Him. In reality, He wanted them to have humble hearts and He wanted them to rely on Him.

Thoughts on Luke 9:57-62

57)As they went on their way, a man said to Jesus, "I will follow you wherever you go." 58)Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lie down and rest." 59)He said to another man, "Follow me." But that man said, "Sir, first let me go back and bury my father." 60)Jesus answered, "Let the dead bury their own dead. You go and proclaim the Kingdom of God." 61)Someone else said, "I will follow you, sir; but first let me go and say good-bye to my family." 62)Jesus said to him, "Anyone who starts to plow and then keeps looking back is of no use for the Kingdom of God."

So these are kind of harsh words, but I don't think that it's an accident that they are in the Bible. The title in my Bible over these verses says: 'The Would-Be-Followers of Jesus.' So I meditated on this passage for a long time this weekend; 'what does he mean?' 'should I never go back to see my family?' 'should I live on the streets?' 'what does he mean by this?!' If I take it exactly as it is written, that would be what I would gather. But then I stepped back and tried to see the bigger meaning behind this.
In verse 58 maybe he his referring to a place to call 'home' that place that is so comfortable and that we want to make it really nice and we will live there for the rest of our lives raising our families; having our white picket fence, two cars--or three or four; a nice neighborhood; over and all--I think for us this is our status--how the world sees us. God doesn't want to fit into our status; He doesn't want to be a little extra perk, that makes us look better to the world because we attend church on Sunday mornings with our perfect little family.
Verse 59 I think maybe refers to our immediate plans or maybe longer term. God calls us and we always have an excuse. 'God, there's stuff that I have to do first, I'll just do that really quick and then I'll follow you.' Or maybe even, 'God I'm doing this and you're just going to have to give me something to do that will go along with my plans.' Jesus is quick to say that is not how it's going to be! He wants us all! He is an all-consuming fire and all-consuming fires don't leave anything uncharred. They burn everything in the way.
And then in verse 61, this other person wants to turn to their family/relationships before they follow God. And sure it's nice to have support of family in what we are doing for God, but ultimately whatever God has called us to is between us and Him. Not me and Him and my parents and my siblings and my grandparents and my best friends. If HE is calling me, I better follow because He is the one that I have to answer to. Friends and family love you--A LOT! And they want the best for you. They want you to have a happy, safe, comfortable little life. But sometimes God isn't safe or comfortable, but HE IS GOOD! He has this all worked out for our best use of our talents and gifts that He has given.
So, what if I said, 'I love you family and friends, but I need to serve God first'. What if I said, 'I have all these plans, but they're going out the window because HIS will comes first.' And what if I said, 'Safe, comfortable lives are nice, but I'm ready for the adventure that comes with following and serving the creator of the universe!'