...the diligence of a man is his most precious possession. -Prov 12:27
So far, so good. I begin my fourth week tomorrow. I'm starting to miss my family, but being alone has it's benefits. I don't typically do very well when I'm alone, and I know if I were completely alone, I would be going crazy, but I'm not. I'm with the Downers. One of the nicest most wonderful families on earth. They have welcomed me as a part of their family, and I never feel alone with them here because I can just walk outside the door of my room, and someone is there.
While I'm feeling sentimental, let me tell you about my church. I belong to the most wonderful church I can imagine. That church is Beacon of Hope in St Paul. I don't want to sound extra-biblical hear, but if you live anywhere near St Paul, and you don't attend this church, I'm close to considering that a sin. The church is pastored by a dear friend and mentor Steve Lonetti. I could say a lot of things about how God has used Steve and Mary in the lives of Marie and I, but I want to focus more on Beacon. Let me just say this about Steve and Mary, they have been faithful.
I'm learning a little something out here about the amazing, permeating effects of God's Word being understood clearly, and diligently applied. The power is not in a preacher, or body, or church. The power is in God's infallible, inerrant, and Living Word. The early church fathers knew this, and so does Steve and the leadership. Why don't always know what God will do, or what He plans to do, but I believe something very powerful is going to happen in St Paul through Beacon of Hope, and when it does, I can promise you no one will take any credit for it, but will use it as a testimony of the power of God's Word proclaimed in a dark place.
I know this sounds strange, and this blog is getting longer than I would like it to be, but Beacon is my home, and it should be your home. If you're a Christian, you weren't meant to sit around, soak in good teaching, go home, feed the dog, and watch TV. You're meant to do something. Don't forget to read the next verse after Ephesians 2:8,9. The local church doesn't exist to serve you, but to serve Christ. The leadership of a church exists to equip the saints for the work of the ministry (Eph 4:12) That is what Beacon is about. Equipping you to minster, getting you in the fight, and holding you accountable. If you're not interested in living the life Christ has indeed redeemed you for, than stay home. You can always rest on God's unchangeing Grace, which requires nothing of you, but instead freely lavishes on you the benefits of fellowship with the Father. But I suspect that is not you. If you are restless in your spirit, but ignorant of why, go to Beacon. Let them help you find the life God has intended you to live.
With all that said, I know I belong there, but the Lord has me here. Some believe I came out here too early, and in a separate post, I may explain why this was the best decision for me and my family, but let me point out one thing. The Christian life is a high calling, and while I have always brimmed with enthusiasm, my follow through left much to be desired. Sometimes my will couldn't keep up with what my heart wanted to do. God needed to separate me for a season to temper me in some areas, and I already see that happening. Even my absence from Marie is providential, and God has allowed me to see why this time is important. At TMS, I'm not just learning the "what" but the "how and why," which is essential in ministry. I'm also gaining a deeper love and appreciation for my shepherds and my church. Please continue to pray for me, and for Beacon of Hope, and remember to thank God for everything.
Showing posts with label Steve Lonetti. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Steve Lonetti. Show all posts
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Our anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, but only empties today of its strength...
God has graciously redeemed me from anxiety, and I am thankful. I have had bouts against it now and then, but for the most part, it has been smooth. Today, I'm in Denver, and it doesn't look like I'll be able to hang out with anyone from here. I'm debating just driving as far as I can, and sleeping the evening in the van, but we'll see. It would be nice to have a few hours of leisure between here and Palmdale. if you're wondering about the quote, it's from Spurgeon.
Here is the update:
I drove over 900 miles yesterday, and will drive another 1000 tomorrow. I very much enjoy driving by myself. I have a lot of time to think, pray, observe, and enjoy the relaxation. I finally received tuition reimbursement today, so I have enough to get a place to stay, or pay my mortgage, whichever is required. One prayer request I have, is that in this period of financial uncertainy, The Lord will make it clear to us where we should be tithing, and how much. There is an abundance of ministries we want to support, Lifegate, Capitol Ministries, Mike and Rebecca, Beacon of Hope... but it's hard to know what we should give when we don't know what we'll be making.
Financially, we're stable for now. I'm still not sure how I'm going to pay tuition for this semester, but I have some options, and the fact that I get it reimbursed at the end makes it easier for me to borrow it from someone. Right now, we have an abundance, and I praise Him for it, and I pray I can be faithful with it, because I'm inclined to believe the abundance is so I can bless someone else. I just don't know who yet. I will be praying about that.
The house is still filled with various items we have collected over the years. My parents are helping us get rid of a lot of it, as well as cleaning up our yard. Also, Kevin and Kelsey have agreed to let Marie live with them for a little while so the house can get cleared and fixed up. I am so thankful to God for them. Once the house gets cleared, we can fix it up and show it to renters. It really is a great house.
here is list of things I have been thankful for:
My parents have been incredible. The task has left Marie and I a bit overwhelmed, and almost paralyzed. My mom and dad have taken over, and have helped us get everything we need. I can't wait until Jude is old enough for me to show him the same love. My brother-in-law has sacrificed his entire summer, as well as a lot of his own resources to help us get the basement finished, and I am very grateful to him for that. Mike Watters came over and mowed my lawn on Monday evening, which was a tremendous help. There are moving to Uganda to minister to orphans that live in the slums. May God bless them, and I pray they receive all the support they need to do His Work. Doug and Cindi Downer have given us a place to stay for as long as we need, which is such a tremendous blessing. Laura Long has given me a room in her house to stay at for free, which is so very generous of her. God has safely brought me to Los Angeles as well. My Grandmother and Grandfather bought me lunch on Tuesday and gave me $100! I am so very thankful for them. Joe Lonetti and Ian Pitkanen came over and helped me pack on Tuesday and saw me off. What incredible young men they are. Especially Ian, who at 17 years old is so sharp, and loves the Lord sincerily. I am so thankful for him and his family that have been attending Beacon of Hope. My pastor, Steve Lonetti, took me out for Pizza Tuesday evening, and we had a wonderful time. I am looking forward to seeing him in March. There are so many other things to be thankful for, but for the sake of brevity, let me just say this: God has been blessing us tremendously, and it has been a privaledge watching Him work around me.
Well, even with the rest, my mind is still a bit scattered. Spiritually, I am doing well. I have been given grace to persue holiness over the next several weeks, which is difficult when I am alone. When I am not surrounded by people, it's harder for me to avoid pitfalls, but, if you read the title of this blog, I am resolved, by the power of the Spirit of God, to be holy as much as I am able. I'm convinced that unless my everyday walk is marked by a passionate pursuit of holiness, I will be useless to God. I don't just mean in what people see, either. I have always been able to put on an excellent front, but I would rather have people detest me falsley than praise me for only what they see. I would rather be holy and usless than acheive any measure of success knowing that my thoughts and attitudes have violated God. If they do, and believe me, they do, I repent, and thank God for the cross. I remind myself that Christ is the supreme example of a man who was despised, rejected, detested, and abandoned by even His closest friends, but still in every way holy. Because of that, I am free. :)
"Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death! Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!"
Romans 7:24,25b
Here is the update:
I drove over 900 miles yesterday, and will drive another 1000 tomorrow. I very much enjoy driving by myself. I have a lot of time to think, pray, observe, and enjoy the relaxation. I finally received tuition reimbursement today, so I have enough to get a place to stay, or pay my mortgage, whichever is required. One prayer request I have, is that in this period of financial uncertainy, The Lord will make it clear to us where we should be tithing, and how much. There is an abundance of ministries we want to support, Lifegate, Capitol Ministries, Mike and Rebecca, Beacon of Hope... but it's hard to know what we should give when we don't know what we'll be making.
Financially, we're stable for now. I'm still not sure how I'm going to pay tuition for this semester, but I have some options, and the fact that I get it reimbursed at the end makes it easier for me to borrow it from someone. Right now, we have an abundance, and I praise Him for it, and I pray I can be faithful with it, because I'm inclined to believe the abundance is so I can bless someone else. I just don't know who yet. I will be praying about that.
The house is still filled with various items we have collected over the years. My parents are helping us get rid of a lot of it, as well as cleaning up our yard. Also, Kevin and Kelsey have agreed to let Marie live with them for a little while so the house can get cleared and fixed up. I am so thankful to God for them. Once the house gets cleared, we can fix it up and show it to renters. It really is a great house.
here is list of things I have been thankful for:
My parents have been incredible. The task has left Marie and I a bit overwhelmed, and almost paralyzed. My mom and dad have taken over, and have helped us get everything we need. I can't wait until Jude is old enough for me to show him the same love. My brother-in-law has sacrificed his entire summer, as well as a lot of his own resources to help us get the basement finished, and I am very grateful to him for that. Mike Watters came over and mowed my lawn on Monday evening, which was a tremendous help. There are moving to Uganda to minister to orphans that live in the slums. May God bless them, and I pray they receive all the support they need to do His Work. Doug and Cindi Downer have given us a place to stay for as long as we need, which is such a tremendous blessing. Laura Long has given me a room in her house to stay at for free, which is so very generous of her. God has safely brought me to Los Angeles as well. My Grandmother and Grandfather bought me lunch on Tuesday and gave me $100! I am so very thankful for them. Joe Lonetti and Ian Pitkanen came over and helped me pack on Tuesday and saw me off. What incredible young men they are. Especially Ian, who at 17 years old is so sharp, and loves the Lord sincerily. I am so thankful for him and his family that have been attending Beacon of Hope. My pastor, Steve Lonetti, took me out for Pizza Tuesday evening, and we had a wonderful time. I am looking forward to seeing him in March. There are so many other things to be thankful for, but for the sake of brevity, let me just say this: God has been blessing us tremendously, and it has been a privaledge watching Him work around me.
Well, even with the rest, my mind is still a bit scattered. Spiritually, I am doing well. I have been given grace to persue holiness over the next several weeks, which is difficult when I am alone. When I am not surrounded by people, it's harder for me to avoid pitfalls, but, if you read the title of this blog, I am resolved, by the power of the Spirit of God, to be holy as much as I am able. I'm convinced that unless my everyday walk is marked by a passionate pursuit of holiness, I will be useless to God. I don't just mean in what people see, either. I have always been able to put on an excellent front, but I would rather have people detest me falsley than praise me for only what they see. I would rather be holy and usless than acheive any measure of success knowing that my thoughts and attitudes have violated God. If they do, and believe me, they do, I repent, and thank God for the cross. I remind myself that Christ is the supreme example of a man who was despised, rejected, detested, and abandoned by even His closest friends, but still in every way holy. Because of that, I am free. :)
"Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death! Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!"
Romans 7:24,25b
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