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