Remember the Lord who is great and awesome

Spring of 12

2012-01-16T08:48:00.000-08:00

We are ready to begin a new semester! After a wonderful weekend of prayer, planning and being reminded of the urgency and the command to make disciples, we are ready to move forward and to reach our friends and our campus. We pray for open eyes to see the people around us and opportunities that Christ places before us, we pray for boldness combined with grace in sharing the gospel as well as clarity in speaking. We appreciate your prayers as well!

Dirty Feet

2011-08-02T08:16:00.000-07:00

Children have no reservations. They say what they think. They trust who they find trustworthy. They do what they feel like without thinking what others think.
I wish I would be more like that sometimes. I think that is what Jesus was talking about when He said that unless we become like a child, we cannot enter the Kingdom. (Matthew 18:3)
Example:
I was playing with some children just a few days ago in a sand/gravel box. I buried my feet in sand and pebbles. One little girl said, 'I'll help you!' and dumped a whole bottle of bubbles on my feet, hoping that would un-bury them. It obviously didn't and them my feet were all sticky and sandy. I laughed and she apologized for making my feet a mess. When it was time for us to go inside, I just threw on my flip-flops thinking that I would wash my feet in a bit. The little girl stooped down and with her hands brushed the mud off my feet.
As she did that so, I was aware of the humility in that quick and simple action. She didn't stop to think that she would get her own hands dirty, but saw that my feet definately were dirty and so she wanted to clean them.

CBHT

2011-06-28T14:14:00.000-07:00

Spent the past two and a half days at Convencion Bautista Hispana de Tejas. What a joy to be there. I had wanted to go for a long time and my first opportunity was last year, but I was out of town :( However, this year when they asked me to work at a booth for BSM at the convencion, I cleared my schedule and gladly went. Excited to be in a place where people love the Lord and are living that out daily.
Because I went to a Bible School that trains a lot of people for ministry and pastoring, I get to see them at a place like this. It was a very happy reunion. (www.bua.edu)
I drove home last night with a heart full of gratitude that God brought me to Texas and has allowed me to meet so many wonderful people who love Him and are serving Him. Upon receiving my associates degree six years ago, I had no idea what God had in store for me. Looking back I can see His hand in so many areas. So I don't doubt His will for me. Even if I don't understand some things, I know that He has been so faithful and will continue to be.
It also was really wonderful to meet others who don't know about BSM and share what God is doing on college campuses in Texas. We were able to encourage people to spread the word to college students that they know to get involved and to grow in the faith. I also left challenged by the great need of so many who don't know the Lord and are trying to fill the emptiness in their lives with anything. We have a huge job and a wonderful cause with eternal implications.

Dios Tiene un Proposito

2011-04-02T18:58:00.000-07:00

I heard this from a boy today that fully believes it. He has no family and traveled over 1000 miles all by himself, eventually ending up in a boys home. He trusts that God is going to take care of him. It was so encouraging to talk to him, and he was such a precious boy. And very brave.
I was humbled as I was talking to him as I often don't fully believe that God has a plan for my life and that He has great things in store. Granted these things may not be the things that I have in mind, but His way is better and it is His will that I learn to become like Him. Sometimes the uncertainty and the frustrations are meant to make me more holy. He is Good and He is Love. Fully. I must rest in Him and trust in Him.

mission a

2011-03-21T15:39:00.000-07:00

Spent this past week at Mission Arlington. This place is so special to me and it was really fun to introduce four of my friends[they also happen to be students in the BSM] to this wonderful place.
Katie, Charles, Janiece, Ashley and Emmanuel. [We visited Southwestern Seminary on Monday night and they have a beautiful campus with this lovely garden]

Matt has worked at Mission Arlington for 13 years and loves Arlington. The city, the people and the ministry--which at times can be really tough. He shared some really challenging stuff with us every day. One thing that he said that is so inspiring to me is that missions isn't just what you do for one week a year when you go on a 'mission trip'. It should be a lifestyle and it should be the way we live the other 51 weeks of the year. He is a very humble guy, but he unashamedly challenges us to live following Christ's example. Giving worth to everyone, no matter what they look like, how much money they make or what kind of 'home' they have.

Miss Tillie started Mission Arlington 25 years ago. She is such a beautiful woman and full of wisdom. She is also the strongest lady I know, no joke! She loves this city fully. One thing that she challenges us and anyone who ever goes to Mission A with--that everyone needs to hear about Jesus. If it is pouring, hailing, sleeting, and negative 50 degrees, you better not cancel church. People need to hear about Jesus. They do not do anything half-heartedly and are so devoted to ministry. I love this woman.
Also in this picture on the far Left is Marc, Marc is the pastor of the church that we worked with on Sunday as well as where we held our Rainbow Express in the mornings. He is and his wife volunteer their time to minister to the members of that apartment community as well as hold down full-time jobs; they are raising two daughters and are about to welcome their third in 2 months. What an example of faithfulness in serving they are! We were blessed to be able to spend a lot of time with them!

Heather has been at Mission Arlington for longer than 3 years[because that's how long ago it was that I first went]. She is a great servant and loves the kids. I am so encouraged and blessed every time I go and just see how much she loves people. I am encouraged by her commitment to serve and give up so much to be there serving Arlington. Lets just say they don't work a 9-5 there, its pretty much an 8 to whenever everything is done day and that would be every day of the week. But everything that is done at the mission is because of God. They bathe everything in prayer and trust Him to provide for them.

I really have a billion things I could say about these wonderful ministers of the gospel and the wonderful work they are doing in Arlington. I know they wouldn't like it. But I am grateful for such wonderful witnesses and I pray that God will continue to bless and use their ministry while challenging us to live with abandon for the glory of His name.

We also got to spend time with a bunch of really great kids telling them about Jesus and playing with them.

Janiece teaching the Bible verse to the kids. Psalm 119:105: 'Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.' The hand motions really helped the kids remember the verse!

'M' drew a lovely heart picture with all of our names and wanted everyone to see it. We had to close our eyes though while we were walking there so we wouldn't see it until we were right on top of it.

Charles sharing with the kids how Jesus has changed his life.

Ashley coloring on the parking lot with two girls who came the second day.

'R' and I coloring our pictures. He was one of my favorites! A little rough on the edges, but really sweet and would randomly run up and give me a hug. He filled up cups with water for everyone and even delivered them.

its my job

2011-03-21T14:18:00.000-07:00

I have been thinking a lot about the events that have been taking place in our world... genocides in Africa, civil unrest in the Middle East, and now an earthquake, tsunami and radiation leaks in Japan. I am reminded of the hope that we have in Christ. We can rest assured that in the end He wins!

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.” — Psalm 46:1-2

However, I have also been thinking a lot about our world and how we have or have not impacted it. I think about our ignorance, petty arguments, complacency and general disinterest in anything except our own comfort and we have some pretty interesting times. All of these terrible things are happening. When will we wake up?!

My sister said was that there was a man who is Hindu who said that Christians don't really believe in a resurrection; otherwise they would not be living the way they are. How very true.

What about that hope? How is that challenging us and changing the way that we live?!

Didn't Jesus call us to leave everything behind and follow Him? Why, then, do we still posess everything that the world does?
Didn't Jesus say that we would be hated? Why do we worry so much about being accepted then?
Didn't Jesus tell us to go? Why, then, are we staying?!

Where is the urgency? Why do we not take His gospel seriously? Do we really not trust Him to keep His word?

Tomorrow is not guaranteed to us. We are not guaranteed another week or even another day. There is an urgency. Time is short. There are millions of people who are dying and will be sent to a Christ-less eternity. An eternity of lost-ness. If we really loved them, we would tell them--even if they are offended or don't want to be our friends anymore.

I have been so convicted and challenged of this. I have always thought I was not an evangelist and that it is the job of the person with the gift of evangelism to tell people about Jesus. False! It is my job. It is anyone who claims to follow Christ's job. If I don't tell them, then I have failed them. If I don't tell them then I don't really love them. They are going to hell. Let me repeat, they are going to hell. Hell is a terrible, horrible place, worse than we can imagine and they will be there for all of eternity.

How can I stand by and just let them go there? Especially when they could be with Jesus for all of eternity.

Father help us--help me-- to trust you and to preach your Word so that others will hear!

'Do not work for the food that spoils, instead, work for the food that lasts for eternal life.' John 6:27

Recommended reading:

http://www.radicalthebook.com/

Amazing Grace

2011-02-04T17:46:00.000-08:00

Been reading Ephesians this week. I recommend it!
One thing that has really stood out to me is that He chose us long before we even existed. He didn't one day realize that He wanted some things done, so he just randomly grabbed people to do it. We have always been His plan. And the most amazing thing about that to me is that He knew what kind of people we are! He knew that He would be dealing with a sinful, disobedient, rebellious people, but chose to use us and to show His glory through us. I am blown away. Check this out!
Ephesians 2:1-10
1. In the past you were spiritually dead because of your disobedience and sins. 2. At that time you followed the world's evil way; you obeyed the ruler of the spiritual powers in space, the spirit who now controls the people who disobey God. 3. Actually all of us were like them and lived according to our natural desires, doing whatever suited the wishes of our own bodies and minds. In our natural condition we, like everyone else, were destined to suffer God's anger. 4. But, God's mercy is so abundant, and His love for us is so great, 5. That while we were spiritually dead in our disobedience He brought us to life with Christ. It is by God's grace that you have been saved. 6. In our union with Christ Jesus He raised us up with Him to rule with Him in the heavenly world. 7. He did this to demonstrate for all time to come the extraordinary greatness of His grace in the love He showed us in Christ Jesus. 8-9. For it is by God's grace that you have been saved through faith. It is not the result of your own efforts, but God's gift, so that no one can boast about it. 10. God has made us what we are, and in our union with Christ Jesus He has created us for a life of good deeds, which He has already prepared for us to do.

Love, not hate.

2010-11-16T12:10:00.000-08:00

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

2010-11-16T11:46:00.000-08:00

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

2010-10-08T20:25:00.001-07:00

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

2010-10-08T08:43:00.000-07:00

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

2010-09-16T08:21:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-08-25T20:35:00.000-07:00

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

2010-07-12T10:19:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-28T17:13:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-28T16:54:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-28T16:40:00.000-07:00

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

2010-02-25T21:45:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-18T07:06:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-24T14:56:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-24T13:55:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-11T07:53:00.000-08:00

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!'

He Deserves the Credit

2009-11-05T21:20:00.000-08:00

Wow! What a blessed day!
Tonight we had Forge. Emmanuel led in a wonderful time of worship. We had some new students which always makes my day, and they were enjoying participating in the icebreaker. (What a wonderful idea, getting kids to be comfortable before they worship and learn together.)
Then Kevin spoke about Jonah and how when God called him, he ran the other way. We do that same exact thing. Why? Because we're scared. Or because those people don't deserve forgiveness, they deserve exactly what they have coming--Destruction!
Then he challenged students to go out. They could go out and prayerwalk or meet students and share Christ with them. But that this was not a time to socialize with friends.
Some of the kids really jumped on the challenge to meet students, some prayed with each other, some brought kids from the hallway that were at a Fraternity/Sorority party next door to pray with them, some encouraged others as they are struggling with things. It was such a blessing to see God moving among them.
And this is something that we cannot take credit for. It is totally Him. He moved in them as Kevin challenged them to go for those students that maybe 'out of our comfort zone' but that they need to hear about Christ as much as anyone.
I wish I could explain better this wonderful evening, but I know that it was holy and I pray that God will show up like that every day and we would become bold and come out of our comfort zones to reach the ones that He loves and that He sent His son to die for.
Solo Deo Gloria.

Psalm 145

2009-10-19T09:10:00.000-07:00

1I will proclaim Your greatness, my God and King; I will thank You forever and ever. 2Every day I will thank You; I will praise You forever and ever. 3The LORD is great and is to be highly praised; His greatness is beyond understanding. 4What You have done will be praised from one generation to the next; they will proclaim Your mighty acts. 5They will speak of Your glory and majesty, and I will meditate on Your wonderful deeds. 6People will speak of Your mighty deeds, and I will proclaim Your greatness. 7They will tell about Your goodness and sing about Your kindness. 8The LORD is loving and merciful, slow to become angry and full of constant love. 9He is good to everyone and has compassion on all He made. 10All your creatures, LORD, will praise You, and all Your people will give You thanks. 11They will speak of the glory of Your royal power and tell of Your might, 12So that everyone will know Your mighty deeds and the glorious majesty of Your kingdom. 13Your rule is eternal, and You are king forever. The LORD is faithful to His promises; He is merciful in all His acts. 14He helps those who are in trouble; He lifts those who have fallen. 15All living things look hopefully to You, and You give them food when they need it. 16You give them enough and satisfy the needs of all. 17The LORD is righteous in all He does, merciful in all His acts. 18He is near to those who call to Him, who call to Him with sincerity. 19He supplies the needs of those who honor Him; He hears their cries and saves them. 20He protects everyone who loves Him, but He will destroy the wicked. 21I will always praise the LORD; let all His creatures praise His holy name forever.

Embarking on a new semester with the BSM

2009-09-29T07:54:00.000-07:00

This semester has been such a new experience (well, they all are) but it feels different and I don't know how to put words on it. We have had lots of new students and they are hard-core seeking. Some are believers with a hunger to know Him more, and some are not believers and they are trying to figure this whole thing out.

On Saturday night after the outreach for Focus, we went to another church who was having a 'college night'. Kevin spoke about Christ being our treasure. Afterwards we went outside and they had a 'party on the patio' with tons of fajitas. We ate and then played games with the kids. Red Rover, Duck,Duck, Goose and Freeze tag. It was fun running around with the kids and as being the 'mom' of our group, I am really proud that the students aren't too cool to get down and play with the kids, and they actually really enjoyed it.

Then after a bit we all migrated to the parking lot on the other side of the church where some guys were playing basketball. We started playing knockout [or bump as we refer to it in Ohio ;)] there were like 30 people playing and this little ten year old kid kept getting us all out. :( It was really fun anyways.

After I got out of the game, I was sitting on the sidelines talking to a few of the students and one of them was talking about playing another game and said that we should do a sports/game night for BSM. It was really cool hearing that from him because he is not one of our core members, and he is not even a believer, yet he put himself as one of us.

And there are times that I feel that maybe we are not doing enough. We are not seeing hundreds of kids come to Christ, maybe we are doing something wrong, and then I realize that is very arrogant thinking. God will do whatever He wants and He may even use us, but maybe we will never see to what extent He uses us and that might be for the sole purpose that we do not become proud and think that we could do this all by ourselves.

Our theme this semester has been, "We will do nothing that we can take credit for". God does the work, we simply make ourselves available. And when we have done that, we believe that God will do things.

And we pray.

We pray for God to work in the lives of the students, to grow them, that they might seek to glorify Him through their lives. That we would love them with His love, with no strings attached, but that our love for them would be genuine and an outpouring of our love for Him.

So this is the BSM in a nutshell.

We appreciate your prayers for us that we would be open to God's leading, that He would open doors for us and that we would go serve Him with all of our hearts.

Concerning Christ

2009-09-22T09:19:00.000-07:00

"But whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ. More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ." Philippians 3:7-8

I pray that this becomes my heartbeat. That nothing else matters.
Sometimes we want to do what is easiest, or what is expected of us, but what about HIM? He has great desires and plans for us and so often we miss the blessing because we want the easy way out. We don't want to be uncomfortable or to come upon any difficulties because of Him. We want the blessings, but not the struggles. We just forget that the greater blessings come from the struggles. He didn't promise us that it would be easy or even like we expected, He is bigger and has greater plans that we don't even know.

I think of AL Johnson. He was a student at UTSA up until last spring. He felt that God was calling him to go to Africa. He gave up his position on the track and cross-country team to go to Africa-- i.e. success. He experienced many crazy and difficult things, but he would tell you that it is the most amazing time of his life. God has taught him so much but that is out of his surrendering his will, his success, his 'happiness', and he received JOY and the peace of knowing that he is right in the middle of God's will for his life. When I receive the updates on AL's trip, I am blessed to no end to see his heart for God--I wish we all had his love. It is so encouraging to hear all the things that he has seen and learned since being there and it changes my heart too.

I guess he looks kind of mean in this pic, but he's not and he loves God with all of his heart, probably more than most people. So, continue to pray for Al as he's in Kenya serving God and continue to pray for us all that we seek to become more like Christ every day.
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/group.php?gid=107337507936&ref=ts
(this is the prayer network for Al and he also posted on the discussions a blog about his calling, it is a great encouragement and inspired this note)
If I gave up all of my dreams and my plans for my life, God would use me in ways that I could never imagine. Can I give it all up? Will I?

Fridays with the kids

2009-08-29T10:00:00.000-07:00

We worked with the Children at First Chinese Baptist Church on Fridays throughout the summer. It was such a fun experience that we just might have enjoyed more than the kids.

Week One

2009-08-29T09:12:00.000-07:00

Before Forge on Thursday we were seated in the room and prayed before the meeting started. When we finished and opened our eyes, another of the leaders had walked in and joined the prayer time. Kevin quipped, 'we're still missing some, so lets pray again.'
But in all seriousness, God has honored the prayers that were offered and we had about 15 new students at Forge. Usually we run about 30-35, and we had about 50--not that it is all about numbers, but I do believe that numbers in some way do mean something.
I could feel the excitement in the room as the students started coming. One even came an hour early! Then they started coming in a steady flow a half-hour early. They were hungry to meet some fellow believers and to get connected with a Christian community. The BSM students ('my kids,' as I often refer to them, and they refer to themselves) we so open and welcoming to them. I stood at the door with two other students welcoming the new arrivals and inviting them in, then sometimes if the student had been really nervous as they entered the room, I would walk in just a few seconds after them and one of the kids would have already found them and started conversing with them. I was so proud!
After Forge most of the new kids stayed around talking, laughing and then taking it upon themselves to meet others that they had not yet met. They were very eager and several of them came up to me afterwards and asked how they could get more involved.
It was such a humbling night. We had prayed before, but sometimes we just don't know what we are praying for. Granted we know that our desire it to meet and love and reach students, but who? how? where? when? etc... As we were praying, I was reminded of this passage in Romans:

"For we do not know how we ought to pray, the Spirit himself pleads with God for us in groans that words cannot express. And God, who sees into our hearts, knows what the thought of the Spirit is, because the Spirit pleads with God on behalf of His people and in accordance with His will. We know that in all things God works for good with those who love Him. Those whom He has called according to His purpose." Romans 8:26-28

And then there was this excitement and hunger present that night. I don't know how else to describe it. It was also exciting because we knew that it was not because of us. The desire of the BSM this year has been, "we will do nothing that we can take credit for." So we desire to become a people of prayer and we will seek the face of God that we will know how we can serve. In the end, it is not how great of conversationalists we are, it is not how cool we are, it is not how good we sing, it is not how grand of events we can pull off, it is who HE is and how He manifests Himself through our lives when we are completely surrendered to Him.

Spring overview

2009-08-16T19:37:00.000-07:00

Who doesn't love free lunch?!

UTSA Roadrunners

Ashley with the cupcake she made

Cory and Joel wanted pizza

FUGITIVE NIGHT
Al won--twice

Lots of games...

Rowdy's head for the homecoming parade

Emmanuel and Andy

Abigail giving Katie a piggy-back ride

Travis carrying Sam and John

When Thierry and Stephanie came to visit UTSA

April is the time for Fiestas!

2009-08-16T19:01:00.001-07:00

End-of-the-year-Banquet

Andy and Cat

Katy and Sami

The guys played musical chairs--blindfolded

Trevor won the shoe game

Andy made the lemonade

Jack and Carlos serving the ladies

Ashley covering up the shoes

The guys cooked lasagna... yum!

Fiesta UTSA
The Katies

Emmanuel, Jack, Joseph and Lance

Katie, Rhoda and Ashley after beating the boys at basketball ;)

Ashley and Emmanuel
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Righteous

2009-08-15T18:43:00.000-07:00

I would strongly recommend the book, 'Prodigal God' by Timothy Keller. The book talks about the Parable in Luke 15. This is not the story of the father and his younger son, no, it is about the father and his TWO sons.

If you are familiar with this parable, you know that the younger son gets tired of living the way he always has, he sees the world around him and he wants to go and 'live it up' so he asks his father for his share of the inheritance. To ask for the inheritance while the father is still alive is a huge sign of disrespect for the father. But the father sells land and livestock to give the younger son his share of the inheritance.

The son goes off and spends all of his money on 'worldly things'--probably gambling, prostitutes, trying to buy himself a bit of happiness. He realizes that he cannot and now he is worse off than he was before. He is working for a farmer and feeding pigs. He decides to go home and apologize to his father and work as an employee. He begins that long walk home. Finally as he is nearing the house, his father sees him in the distance and runs to him.

The father puts his fancy clothes on the son and throws him a party with the best food he has. This is where the older son comes into the picture: everyone is celebrating inside the house for the lost son has returned.

The older son is angry that the father has shown such great love for the younger son and has not given him what he has given the younger son. The father comes to invite him into the festivities and the older son refuses, citing the father's ignorance to give the older son what he had bestowed on the younger son and then he adds, I have never disobeyed your command!

You see, both of the sons are distanced from the father. One because of his sins and immoral life. One because of his 'righteous' spirit; he has done everything right, but has missed the heart of it all. God didn't require him to DO everything perfect, but to trust in Him and to have a humble heart before Him.

You see, it is so easy to be the older brother. Many of us were raised in the church, maybe even in Christian families and we know what Christ requires of us and we do it thinking that that is what pleases him and not only that, whenever we see people not doing that, we judge them--ok, I may be the only one who does that-- thinking that we cannot believe that they are so sinful. Yet our hearts are in the same place, if not worse. God didn't come to call the healthy, but the sick. And often we think we are healthy. We are good; we're doing everything right, God must be happy with us.

May our hearts be sensitive to Christ and may we be on the lookout for our hearts becoming 'older brother hearts'.

My Thoughts on Love

2009-06-28T18:39:00.000-07:00

So ever since Los Angeles I've been reflecting on life and live and all that important jazz. I realize that so often I just do what I do without taking even a second to really see those that I come into contact with. There must be hundreds of people every week that I 'see'. There is the lady that cashes me out at the grocery store. A ton of students that I walk past in the hallways of UTSA, or sit next to in class. There is the lady sitting next to me in the waiting room at the dentist's office. Etc, etc!

I realized that I miss a million opportunities to love them or maybe just to bring a touch of joy to their lives. Maybe by smiling at them. Maybe by offering them a seat. Whatever way, Christ has called us to love others.
Often we take this to mean that we need to love those that we have acquaintances with or friendships with. And we should!

But then the past few weeks I have been pondering how those that are closest to us often receive the least amount of love. Ok, so maybe we love them, but do we REALLY love them?

There are times that I am so critical of things that my family does. I get frustrated because what they do don't cater to me. They don't act in the way that I want them to.

Last week as I thought about these instances that were not particularly pleasing to me, God stopped me in my tracks and showed me that I was being selfish and in no way does selfishness=love.

Funny how the people that I love the most probably know it the least.

Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.
Love doesn't strut,
Doesn't have a swelled head,
Doesn't force itself on others,
Isn't always "me first,"
Doesn't fly off the handle,
Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn't revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.
I Corinthians 13 'The Message'

After that moment, I realized that step #1 is that I need to start praying for my family. Someone once told me that it's really hard to be frustrated or upset with someone when you are praying for them. Right on! Step #2 there are little things that I don't do, like telling my family that I love them. Like taking a few extra minutes to sit down and ask how their day was. Like taking a few minutes to just call and say hi and check up on them. And like taking several minutes to serve them by washing their car, or by doing the dishes, or by folding the laundry.

Like these things take maybe fifteen minutes to do them, but I think time shows where your heart is. (Ok that's definately my love language) but either way, when I take the time to care, I know that God sees that and I hope it makes Him feel the love that I have for Him too.

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31)

Because, let's be honest here, the easiest thing to do is to want my desires to be met. I want to receive and if I don't then I'm going to be upset and put friction in those relationships. Humanly we want to receive more than we give. Or in our minds at least equally. But I have a distorted view of that and I always think I do more than I actually do.

Ok so this is getting really long, but I want to insert a quote:
From 'The Pursuit of God' by A.W. Tozer
"A fairly accurate description of the human race might be furnished to one unacquainted with it by taking the Beatitudes, turning them wrong side out and saying, 'here is your human race...' Instead of poverty of spirit we find the rankest kind of pride; instead of mourners we find pleasure seekers; instead of meekness, arrogance; instead of hunger after righteousness we hear men saying, 'I am rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing;' instead of mercy we find cruelty; instead of purity of heart, corrupt imaginings; instead of peacemakers we find men quarrelsome and resentful; instead of rejoicing in mistreatment we find them fighting back with every weapon at their command."

Remember the LORD who is great and awesome

2009-05-31T12:27:00.000-07:00

I first saw Freddie on Saturday as we arrived at the ‘adopt-a-block rally’ at the Dreamcenter gym. We walked in and there was worship music playing and people spread all over the gym praying. Some were seated, some were bowed down and some were pacing across the front. It was neat to start out the day of ministry first seeking God. I remember seeing Freddie sometime at the beginning, he was wearing camouflage pants and hat and a green t-shirt. He had long hair put up in a bunch of little braids. But he had a humbleness about him, I remember thinking that He must love God a lot, just in the way he carried himself.
Freddie was the leader of our group to skid row. As we boarded the bus, he handed out some ‘our daily bread’ devotional books and some flyers telling people about when the bus comes. Freddie apologized for not having any food to hand out and said that today we would just have to give them the gospel because that is the most important thing anyways. The bus had Bible verses over each window which was a reminder of who we are doing this for and the great power that He has over everything. ‘Remember the Lord who is great and awesome’, read one of the verses (Ne. 4:14).
We pulled up on Skid row in the bus and all piled out. Right as we pulled up a truck pulled up right behind us and unloaded two boxes of apples. The driver asked if we would like them. YES! We passed them out to people that we met on skid row and thanked God for providing. We even had leftovers. We met a few people and talked with them for a bit. I was a little disappointed that we only had an hour, I had wanted to sit down and have some really good conversations with people, but I guess that since I still am not sure what exactly to say to someone who is at such a different area of life, I have nothing in common with them. I felt very safe as we walked around, I know who was with us and we have no reason to fear men.
We returned to the Dreamcenter to eat lunch at the café and Kevin, Cat and I sat down to eat with Freddie. He began sharing his story with us: Freddie is from Southern California, the third of four boys. When he was in high school he began to get involved in a gang. His younger brother would tag along with him sometimes but was not involved. Freddie would go with his gang and they would rumble at different high schools with other gangs, he became a leader in the gang.
One time they were at a Quinceanos celebration and another gang got upset because they thought that Freddie’s brother was in an enemy gang. Freddie decided that they would leave and as he was waiting for the music to stop to tell his friends to leave some guys came up behind him, broke a glass bottle over his head and started punching him. He said that was the first fight that he knew that he couldn’t win. He heard gunshots going off and then he fell faking that he got shot. The guys left and then he ran and hid behind the speakers while people were yelling and trying to escape. After the commotion died down a bit he heard people yelling his name. he went over and his younger brother had been shot. They carried him outside and put him in a vehicle to go to the hospital. He said that he kept thinking that he was going to kill the person who was responsible for killing his brother. They went to the hospital and the police told him to not try to take revenge on the other gang. He went into the room where his brother was and he had died from the gunshot wounds. He had one gunshot to the front and two to the back.
He said after his brother died he realized that he didn’t get pleasure from the drugs and alcohol and fighting anymore. Freddie started meeting with the leaders of the other gangs and discussing how they would get the other gang back for killing his brother. They were saving money and buying tons of ammunition. He told the guys in his gang that it was going to get messy from this point on and if they wanted out they could just leave. Gangs don’t work like that, but he really didn’t want to kill the others just the guy who was responsible for killing his brother. His mom kicked him out because he was not working or helping out at home anymore. One day the guy that he was living with said, ‘lets go get some money’ so they went to rob a store. All four of them got caught and went to jail.
When he was there one of the guys told him about Jesus. He had a Bible and he began reading it. On one occasion he said that his friend, Angel, told him ‘those two guys over there are involved in spiritual warfare’, Freddie wanted to see so he walked over and saw one guy reading his bible and the other guy full of anger. He said he saw the evil in the guy and as he looked around he could see the evil spirits in all over the guys. He realized that he was not fighting against humans, he was fighting against evil but that since he had Christ, Satan could not harm him.
He started leading a Bible study and prayer every night with the guys in the jail. He went to court and the last day when they were going to do the final sentencing with the possibility of 18 years in prison. The evidence started disappearing. The tape would not play anymore. The lady that would testify against them could not because she had also gotten in trouble with the law and it would hurt her case. Then the officer that arrested them who was to say that she had, in fact, arrested them, she recognized the other three but said that she had never seen Freddie before. They released him that very day.
He went home and told his family and every day he would ride his bike around knocking on doors and telling everyone about Christ. He said that after a while he realized that if he stayed there he would start to go back to his old habits and it was then that he learned about the Dreamcenter. He enrolled in the discipleship program and has been there for two and a half years.
He has been going to skid row for a year or a year and half and he loves it. Later, Kevin said that it was neat to see all the homeless people that Freddie had build relationships with coming up to him and just to see the trust and love that he attained from them, they knew that he really cared for them and loved them. Freddie said that the people on skid row needed deliverance. They didn’t just need a job and money and a home. He said you can dress them up and make them look pretty but they are still going to be broken on the inside. But he wants to see them delivered.

Los Angeles

2009-05-27T11:03:00.001-07:00

University of Texas at San Antonio Baptist Student Ministry

Los Angeles: A Journey of Love, Hope and Faith

So we've been back for four days, thinking, processing and praying. What does this mean for us? How do we use principles that we saw in action, how do we transfer lessons that we learned, how do we keep that humbleness when real life sets in?

The God that was at work on Skid Row and at the Dreamcenter and in the poor neighborhoods of Los Angeles is at work in the streets of San Antonio. God loves San Antonians as much as He loves Los Angelians. AND, furthermore, we didn't accidentally end up in San Antonio. God has placed us here for a reason. And He sent us to Los Angeles for a reason.
I pray that we take what we learned and experienced there and keep remembering it. He is good and He showed us a lot of neat things while we were there.

We talked about failure, a theme that kept recurring over the week. Sometimes failure is necessary to move on. We are not always going to be successful when serving God. But the difference is that He can make something beautiful out of the broken and messy. We learn. We grow.
One thing that Brittany said that was just a beautiful picture of what we saw was last Sunday when we were talking after church. She said, 'Los Angeles is a beautiful city. Once you get inside though, it is hectic and messy and broken, just like the people.' She went on to say how her and David had fallen in love with the city and the people of Los Angeles. And we could see their love by the heart that they had as they shared their experiences and their refusal to settle for less than what God had called them to, even if others thought they were crazy.