Underground

Every tuesday night here on base we have a community service called The Rising. It's pretty simple; we usually have some worship at the beginning and then the DTS speaker for that week will give some sort of teaching. Tonight was just a little different . . .

Instead we did an Underground Church style service. When we walked into the MPR (Multipurpose Room) and people at the door ask you for your bible, because in an underground church, the people are lucky if there is one bible for the entire church. All the electronics were off and candles were the only light source in the room. All 100 of us crowded around the front of the room so that we would be able to hear whomever was speaking.

To start off, Andy, who was running the service, came up and said that the point of this night was to understand what a lot of our brothers and sisters around the world experience every time they meet together. We first started out by silently being in the Lord's presence. Some people prayed out a couple things, but it was mostly just silence. After around 15 minutes, a guy named Jacob came up and we started singing some hymns out by memory. It was so awesome to sing some of the hymns I grew up singing.

This service really hit me hard when we got to In Christ Alone. I love this song so much and have sung it so many times. But in context the lyrics took on a whole new meaning. In the third or fourth verse, the words are No power of hell, no scheme of man can ever pluck me from his hand for I am his and he is mine, here in the power of Christ I stand. All of a sudden I was not in Salem, but in an underground church in China singing these same lines and they were not nice words, but a statement of endurance under persecution and a true commitment to Christ. I broke down and just started crying. I like such a self righteous hypocrite. How many times have i sung this song and not given them a second thought, and out of this same mouth criticized other Christians who aren't as committed to Christ as I am. Have I ever been persecuted? How can I ever be justified in saying I am afraid to share my faith when in that same breath people on the other side of the planet are sleeping in prison not knowing if they might be beaten or even killed at any time.

We ended this time by praying out for all our family that is around the world and must meet in secret because of their faith. Hearing stories of people who have been persecuted and have forgiven those who hurt them also convicted me and gave me a new revelation of God's character of forgiveness. Phil 2:8 "And being found in appearance as a man, he [Jesus] humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!". And right before he died, he prayed that God would forgive those who were crucifying him.

As hard as this night was, I actually came away encouraged to seek after Jesus harder and to press more into him. I was encouraged by the faith and devotion of believers around the world who continue to follow him in the face of blatant persecution. I hope that I can one day claim such great faith and devotion to God.

Pentateuch

Welcome to update number one of Basic Leadership Seminar. I safely arrived in Salem on Tuesday afternoon with my Dad, got some Little Caesars with him and said my goodbyes. Thursday was our first day of class. One thing that will make this school different than DTS is that I know almost everyone in the class pretty well already, so we are already all working together on assignments and having fun without the "I dont know you yet" awkwardness.

We have already had three assignments. The last one that we just finished was our first weekend of our Bible Read through. Ever other weekend we are going to spend in the prayer chapel listening/reading through sections of the King James Bible (only version we could find to speed up) non-stop marathon style. Today we read the Pentateuch (Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy) and it took about 9 hours. As crazy as it was, it was cool to read straight through the books of law since I've only picked my way around them in the past. I don't think I have read the entire bible either so it will be awesome to finally have that under my belt.

Here is a quick list of everyone on our team so that you can be praying for all of us:

Leaders: Casey Amos Luke and Julia

Students: Zak Nadia Ethan Me Travis Cara Leah Jaci Rachael Brittanie

Even though I know this school is going to be slightly crazy, I know that I am going to learn a lot and that God has a lot he wants to show me in this school. Its great to be back in Salem; thank you for prayers.

Here is a picture of Me and Aaron, a DTS student who did his TESOL (teaching english as a second language) here during my DTS. He's one awesome dude.

Apology and Update

Hey everyone, it has been a long time and God has done soo much in my life so far I don't even know where to begin. But before I start I do have something that I need to ask. I need to ask for forgiveness for neglecting all of you at home. I have been having some difficulties with technology while I have been here, but that is no excuse for breaking my commitment to staying in contact. Thank you for continuing to pray for me and support me in spite of this. God has been working amazingly in my life because of your faithfulness. Thank you. And now for the catch-uping.

Week 1- The first week I was here the leader of our school here was talking about hearing Gods voice. At the end of this week Amos (our leader) gave us the assignment of going out by yourself for and hour and asking God "What do you think about me?" and then waiting silently for his answer. And guys when i went and asked him and waited he answered me! The verse he gave me in answer was Ez 39:4 and through it he said that he saw a mighty warrior who would cut down every enemy that came at me. Well when he told me this i bawled my eyes out because at that time I did not feel anything close to a man or warrior. But when he repeated himself, i found a new strength and i began to believe him. That moment was the second time i had ever heard God soo clearly and strongly.

Week 2 - The speaker for week two was Colleen and she was talking about what the Bible has to say about injustice. Colleen was one of my favorite speakers because she gave me a whole new perspective on the bible and how to understand the stories through the worldview of the people of that time. That week got me so much more fired up to be in the Bible and reading with my new understanding. The other awesome thing about this week was that Colleen showed us how much the Bible talks about injustices. The Bible is filled with stories about people who were taken as labor / sex slaves, immagrants / refugeess, and adresses poverty, war, corrupt governments. Obviously, stopping injustices in the world is something that is strong on God's heart, and so it should be a high priority for us as well.

Week 3 - This week was plume line and it was all about forgiveness. Forgiving the people who have hurt you and then asking God (and maybe others) to forgive you for your own sin. All that I can say about this week is that God is sooooo good and he meets us down in the depths of our deepest shame and He loves us.

There has been alot more that has happened since plume line, but i will post later since i am on a borrowed laptop right now :) Thank you soo much for your prayers and I ask that you would continue to keep me in them. God is so good and he loves us. Ohhh man he loves us sooo much guys more than we will ever know.

More to follow