The Signal Column

Guam Update September 2011

2011-09-27T19:03:00.000-07:00

When I left Iowa for Guam in August of 2010, I was 23 years old. Now I'm 25 and I've been on Guam for over a year. Looking back, it's amazing to see everything that God has worked together. I've spent this last 3 months learning some hard lessons but also some very awesome ones. God indeed has his own plans for our good, and more importantly for his good. Through my Bible reading, classes, and experiences, I'm learning many things about his character and about mine.

Hafa adai, from Guam! As we say in the Philippines, mabuhay!

As I mentioned in my last update, I've been working with the Lutheran Church of Guam youth ministry. Since my last update, I've been to several of their meetings and gotten to know the youth boys a lot better.

This summer, we took the youth on a service trip to Manila, Philippines. Our goal was to provide relief and support to an orphanage and Christian school affiliated with the Lutheran mission there. We spent a few days working at the orphanage caring for the children and doing some house cleaning, providing a much needed break for the orphanage staff. The staff there works a gruelling 12 hours a day, 6 days a week on a meager, support-funded payroll, caring for the children that no one wanted. During our time there we heard heart-breaking stories of grace about these orphans. One little newborn was found in a dumpster with her own afterbirth. Another was found on the floor in the mall. Each of the orphans had their story, many revealing the wickedness of humans, but all revealing the great care of God.

The orphanage stands today to say boldly that every life is precious, even those considered trash by some. Probably the greatest practical gift we brought to the orphanage was a monetary donation equaling about a month's worth of expenses for the orphanage, answering the prayers of their leader who relies completely on God for month to month support. Please consider Concordia Children's Services in your prayers.

The trip impacted both those in the Philippines and our youth as they saw a large amount of poverty and developed a love for people less fortunate than them. After the trip, the Manila team headed back to Guam; everyone except me, that is. I had developed a friendship with a Filipino family on Guam who invited me to stay in the Philippines with their extended family for an extra week and a half. For the next 10 days, I lived in a house in the suburbs of Manila with all Filipinos, eating Filipino food and living Filipino style. I must say, some things about the Philippines were very hard for me to get used to, but I my hosts were incredibly generous in taking care of me.

As a group we travelled to the city of Baguio deep in the northern mountains. The trip was an amazing, trying, but maturing cultural experience.

Aside from working with LCG youth group and being a member of their worship team, I also attend a weekly Bible study with young adults from around the island. The young adults group sees a lot of people come and go. The last person to leave island was one of my best friends and former PIU English teacher Jen. Jen has had a deep spiritual impact on my life and will be missed.

I'm currently living in an apartment with the new PIU English teacher Joey. Joey has also been a blessing in my life and a great room mate.

Fall classes have begun. I'm taking 5 classes this semester; Bible Study Methods, Christian Doctrine 3, Exegesis in Genesis, Methods/Materials in TESL, and Ministry Development.

My friends Nino and Glenda had their baby girl born in late August, the smallest baby Guam has ever seen (a mere 4.8 lbs!). Since they are in need of transportation and it's no longer practical for me to drive them places, I signed the Tercel over to them. I am since without transportation. My friends have been gracious in driving me around as I need, but I'm also walking and riding my bike a lot more. Oh speaking of that bike, I mentioned my situation in front of my pastor here, and he decided to give me his bike on the spot! It's great how God is providing for me through difficult situations.

I'm still attending weekly Japanese lessons with Naoko. My Japanese vocabulary and grammar is steadily growing.

I've learned some valuable lessons recently that I want to share briefly. The first has to do with possessions and generosity. Being a college student, I've never really been on top of my finances. Since coming here I have become the owner of so many things that were given freely to me in my need. One of the more recent gifts given to me was a bed by the PIU Student Life VP. I asked how much he wanted and he said, "$12." However, when I tried to give him $12, he smiled and said, "just pay it forward." Paying it forward... that's a concept that has new life for me. I've been thinking long and hard about all of the gifts given to me, especially by my home church and my parents, both who know full well I can't possibly pay them back anytime soon, at least monetarily. Everyone has had some kind of gift given to them, but since being here, I feel like I've been getting more than I ever dreamed to meet every need. Someday I'll be in a position to be giving gifts. Isn't it like grace? I can't possibly pay God back for that, but I think he wants me to "pay it foward." I think it's that eternal gift he gives us that compels us to give freely. In this way, essentially, every gift is from God. Perhaps this is what James means in James 1:17 "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change."

I'd like to share more lessons I've learned recently, but I'm running short on time for this update. In short, I never stop growing and learning, and I never expect to stop. It's amazing to see all of the good things God is working into me and bad things he's worked out. I can't wait to see what happens next. I'm just praying that he really uses me to bless and challenge others in the coming months. I ask for your continued prayer support and thank you so much for everything since I've come out here!

Grace & Peace,

Kevin Patrick Graham

Music 8: Music for Lent

2011-05-24T02:53:00.000-07:00

Of Man

Cool Hand Luke

(Experimental/Worship/Conceptual)

I'm not a dedicated fan of Cool Hand Luke, but I know they've been around for something like 10 years or more. I think they started out doing indie or emo with Christian themes. They've grown a lot over the years. I read that this is their final album as one of the members goes on to seminary.

Of Man is an incredible concept album. The 12 tracks take you through the steps of Jesus ministry years and death. The music is what you would expect from a concept album, and they waste no time on repetition if it's not necessary. Each instrumental section moves with the theme. The result is something like a modern rock lent mass.

The singer has no special traits, and doesn't boast a soaring, high pitched voice like many of my favorite bands do. However, he does sing with delicate mix of emotions, mostly those of betrayal, confusion, darkness; but touches on faithfulness and grace. The vocals actually very much match the movements of the instruments.

Suggested tracks are Goodbye, for Now, The Last Supper, and His Eyes (an incredibly powerful musical interpretation of the crucifixion), though I suggest that you listen to the whole album in one sitting with no distraction. This is an ALBUM album.

Check out Cool Hand Luke's myspace here.

Listen to "His Eyes" below.

Personal Updates have been back issued!

2011-05-23T03:38:00.000-07:00

Hello all. I've posted all my former email updates (from last August) on this blog. Check them out under 'Personal Updates.'

Guam Update May 2011

2011-05-21T22:40:00.000-07:00

Nearly 3 semesters later, I've finally found the time to write another update on this blog. Actually, there are many reasons why it's been difficult to write, but God told me this morning, "it's time." Those of you following my email updates, this will serve as the first one since Christmas.

All that aside, hafa adai! from Guam!

I'm excited to share some of the amazing things going on right now, but first I want to share some of the difficulties I've encountered. As you know from my last email update, the Christmas mission to Saipan was a spiritual mountain for me. Since that time until recently, I've been very much in the valley.

The start of it came with an exciting blessing that I thought God was giving me. My hope was that a relationship that was pleasing to him finally came my way. I prayed continually that everything would go according to his plan and that I would represent him in it. My quiet times were long and intimate, and every challenge fueled my understanding of his grace. However, some time later it was clear that God's will was different from what I expected and a very, very difficult reality set in.

By the start of the Spring semester, I was sharing God's faithfulness with my brothers. I was an RA in the dorm and a Bible study leader. I was on Student Council. I was a 4.0 student. I was a worship leader.

By the middle of the semester I had given up my RA status, quit student council, stopped playing on the worship team, and missed a few classes. I had many fallouts with my brothers, and even switched dorms to be away from them. I had become the opposite of the faithfulness I had proclaimed at the start of the year.

I was bitter and lonely, and hopeless until God reached out his hand again. I had a few close friends who would offer to pray with me many times, and one in particular who would graciously let me dump my frustrations on him night after night. With the help of these friends, student life staff, a counselor, and a lot of work by the Holy Spirit, I started a slow ascent out of the valley.

By the end of the semester, I had restored some of the fallouts with my brothers. I was invited back on the worship team. I started a couple of ministries at church. I finished the semester with a 3.9 GPA. Actually, since then, there have been more blessings than I can count. I'll talk more about those below. Though the semester was full of trials and heartbreak and failures, I came away with some important lessons.

1) The Lord gives and the Lord takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord. In both Job's case and mine (trivial by comparison), the Lord then restores far more than he gave at first or took away.

2) A relationship with a person doesn't satisfy like a relationship with Jesus. All of the things I learned about grace will make me a better husband someday, but they more importantly make me a better child of God.

3) When loosing something good, jealousy and anger creep in, making footholds for Satan to overwhelm you.

4) No matter the circumstance, God is always reaching for you, through Christian brothers, through mentors, through your heart, even directly. I was a mess, but all I had to do was open my eyes and my heart to see how much he was fighting for me.

These lessons are precious to me now, and I see how when my faithfulness fails, God's still prevails. There have been even more blessings than these. The old '89 Buick was giving me lot's of problems and mechanic experience, so my friend said, "let's pray for a more reliable car." We did, and the next day my boss at the Japanese school sold me her '98 Tercel ridiculously cheap.

Another blessing came at church one evening. I was joking with a Japanese woman named Naoko on the praise team that she would teach me Japanese and I would do her English homework. A few days later she surprised me told me that she was moved by my will to do missions in Japan and offered my private Japanese lessons for free. I've been taking Japanese lessons every Monday night since, and it makes me even more confident of God's will for me in Japan. Her and her husband Curtis are good friends of mine now and I'm incredibly blessed by them.

I didn't think the Japanese School would be calling me back since I was merely a sub for a pregnant teacher. However, some time in March I was interviewed by them again and offered a position as an English teacher for a whole year! Many of my former students shouted for joy when they got me as a teacher again, which made me feel like a proud role model to them. I'm hoping that my time there will point some of the students and their parents and the other teachers to Jesus.

I've got two semesters at PIU down, and possibly still a year and a half to go. I'm halfway through my TESL minor, but I've got a lot of classes left for my Biblical Studies major. Our graduation ceremony was a few weeks ago. There were about 20 graduates. You can see the details on the PIU blog.

I'm currently on board the youth ministry team at the Lutheran Church of Guam. I haven't been to an actual meeting yet, but my 'initiation' comes this summer. From June 18 until July 4, I'll be in the Philippines with them. The first week will be spent volunteering at an orphanage in Manila, and the second week will be just me and a Filipino family traveling and seeing both the beauty of the countryside and the poverty of the slums. The church has payed most of my way to go. I'm very excited to be involved with the youth, and to be a part of the team this summer. I'm hoping that my experience in the Philippines will be humbling.

Lastly, I got an email from John Van Farrowe. You all know he's pretty much the reason I'm in Guam right now. He's coming to Guam sometime in November and this will be the first time actually meeting him face to face. We'll be talking about some future missions options for me and possible correspondence between PIU and his ministry in Japan. If everything goes smoothly, it could be the start of a very good relationship between a great ministry in Japan and the only accredited Christian college in the Pacific Islands.

Thank you so much for all of the support and prayers. Please continue to pray. It's going to be a long ride, but the result will hopefully be a small ministry among the largest unreached people group in the world. Japan needs Jesus.

Blessings, grace, and peace to my family in Christ,

Kevin Patrick Graham

Guam Update January 2011

2011-01-06T03:33:00.000-08:00

Just a quick update for early January!

I started my job as an English teacher at Guam Nihonjin Gakku (Japanese School). I am blown away by how much I loved it. Who'd have thought I'd be a teacher? I hated school, and here I am loving it! All of my students were amazing. Even the tough times were amazing. There is one little girl who needs a little extra help, and I found myself loving her and reaching out to help her; it just amazes me what God's done in my life. I would have never thought this would happen; not only having the job, but discovering all these surprise character traits that go along with being a teacher, that the Spirit has grown in me, that I've been choking for so long. This is the first job that I have truly loved doing and feel like I am making a difference by doing.

School (PIU) is just a week and a half away. Thanks everyone for supporting me with prayer and everything! I miss you all and hope to hear from you. Thank you for being patient; God is working for sure!

Guam Update November-December 2010

2010-12-30T03:22:00.000-08:00

Hafa-adai (greetings) from Guam!

One semester under my belt and 3 or 4 to go! It’s been a long and stressful term, both deeply impactful and incredibly challenging. I know I can’t include everything in this update, but I’m going to do my best.

First of all, the semester is over! I’ve just completed New Testament History, Christian Doctrine I, Wisdom Literature, Linguistics I, and Ministry Introduction. It’s great having all of my classes themed toward my major.

Next semester my schedule will be a little different. I’m glad to announce that I’ve been hired at Guam Nihon Gakku (Japanese School) and will be teaching English to Japanese students ages 6-14. I start on January 6 and will continue working until the end of the semester. As most of you know, the job is a huge answer to prayer. I didn’t have many credentials, and I was extremely nervous in my interview. Yet God won the heart of the principal and I was hired on the spot! Since I will be working 3 mornings a week, I will be taking some online classes and some afternoon classes. My goal is to remain a full time student as long as I am here.

I am also pleased to announce that I have been selected to be an RA for the guys dorm for next semester. Unlike ordinary universities, RAs here are somewhat responsible for the spiritual health of the students. We will be spending time meeting and praying for all the students.

As you know from my last email, there is chapel twice a week all semester. Last semester, my friend Leeman was leading every chapel. For next semester, student life is giving me the opportunity to share the load with him and take half the chapels. I’ll be leading chapel worship every Friday morning.

I haven’t been back to Faith Presbyterian since my last email. Instead, I’ve been attending Lutheran Church of Guam every Sunday. I’ve gotten to know the pastor, Jeff, very well, and he’s even recently invited me to join the worship team. I’ve gotten to know many of the church members and have found a great family at LCG. I promise all of you, I am not becoming a Lutheran! Pastor Jeff is actually very supportive of my Calvinist roots, and LCG is in fact, not very Lutheran. In any case, I went through several weeks of church hopping, trying to discern the best place for me, and I am now very sure my place is at LCG.

As you know from my last update, there is a ministry that some of the PIU students do at the University of Guam. Since helping out last semester, I’ve been invited and am very excited to take a more active role this semester.

The UOG ministry team just returned from a week long Christmas mission trip to Saipan. We stayed at the Saipan Evangelical Church, a small Palauan church in the mountains. Every night, we would put on a program consisting of skits, action songs, choir, worship, a message, and student testimonies. I was a part of many of the activities and got to see God do some amazing things. The week was incredibly difficult for all of us. Practices were long and trying, but every evening before the program, all of us would pray earnestly that God would use our feeble preparation.

Tension was high for most of the trip, and eventually led to most of us breaking down on the last day, approaching everyone with whom our relationship wasn’t right. Every night, members in the congregation would approach us and tell us how they were blessed by the program, and every night, we would assess the evening as a group and realize that God was working just as hard in all of us as he was in the congregation. Aside from the evening programs, we did a lot of community service, meal preparation, and even one afternoon of door-to-door evangelism.

I learned a lot of personal lessons from God, as well, most of which are very hard for me to explain. With Saipan’s beauty and the church’s remote location, it was easy for me to go exploring and do my quiet times and devotions away from the others. One path leading away from the church went through the jungle and up the hill to a large opening surrounded by cliffs, jungle, and a multitude of birds. It was there that I went to God and cried out to him every day. There was so much stress and hardship during the trip that I found myself in tears many times. But it was during those times that I felt I was closer to God that I ever have been. Every time I think I have a good relationship with him, he shows me that I do not, and takes me even deeper. One thing I learned from him during the week is that he cares for me, loves me, and even wants to bless me, but every time I take him for granted and neglect him, good things in my life are just temporary. It seems like every time I act on my own and forget to trust him I mess things up. I wish I was better at explaining it. Just know that those quiet times were a big step in my walk, some of many more I hope. I have become quite sensitive since coming here. I didn’t ever imagine myself like this!

Anyways, from now until January 17 I will be on Winter break. I’m not yet registered for next semester, but as it stands I am in need of support. I am still ineligible for financial aid due to my income last year. Once my registration is complete, I’ll have a better idea of what I owe for next semester, but for now just be in prayer that God will provide. Also, please be praying for my relationships with others here.

I’ve made some of the best friends of my life here who constantly encourage me, pray for me, and hold me accountable. I’m hoping that God uses me in the same way so that I can be that kind of witness to others. I’ve experienced debilitating depression and homesickness at times, especially when I am confronted with cultural challenges and stress, but so far God has met it all and raised me up. I’ve heard that successful foreign missionaries wait up to a year before getting involved in serious ministry, and now I’m beginning to see why. I thought I was invincible when I came here, that I could detach myself from my own culture and transition easily. Now I see just how attached I am. The clearest mirror in the world is living overseas.

I’m praying for a chance in the future to come back and give a full report, even to do some recruiting. I am in love with this place and what God is doing in my life through it. I hope to hear back from some of you. Please continue to pray for me.

Grace and Peace,

Kevin Patrick Graham

Guam Update October 2010

2010-10-03T02:51:00.000-07:00

Hafa-adai (greetings) from Guam!

I had hoped to send these at least once a month, and I realize I am long overdue. I beg your pardon in regard. I am officially an undergraduate student of Biblical Studies and TESL at Pacific Islands University, 1/3 through my first semester of my junior year! It will take me a little longer than expected to finish due to finances. I will address that more below.

I am healthy and doing well, despite lacking sleep and good food. Micronesians tend to stay awake all night and sleep during down time. I'm trying to find a healthy balance there. We have catered food everyday, usually consisting of rice, fatty meats, and Korean style veggies. I share Al Bandstra's distaste for pickled kimchi veggies. I buy a lot of tuna, bread, and green peppers from the grocery store and prepare my own meals when I have time.

I am living in the men's dorm with 2 Americans (there are only 5 American students in the dorm) and one local. I am in close fellowship with the two Americans, Josh and Doug, as we spend many nights staying up studying and addressing hard questions with our Bibles and books. We all have a certain respect for our student-hood--that is, that we don't know the answers--and that we are here to learn from our instructors and each other. How different it is to live with brothers in Christ, than with unbelievers. On occasion we are so richly taught and blessed that we forfeit rest and spend time in prayer. There is also discomfort in the dorms. I mentioned the food and lack of sleep; another thing might be temptation to have sloth. I will go into more detail about my struggles below.

I am taking five classes. They are Christian Doctrine 1 (Theology), Wisdom Literature (the "writings" of the Old Testament), New Testament History (Matthew-Acts), Ministry Introduction (observation reports), and Linguistics (for my TESL minor). My classes are both challenging and engaging, and hold extra weight by their nature. I am learning about the Bible at an accelerated rate, responding in projects, papers, prayer, and practice.

I recently won a 1989 Buick LeSaber by auction for $501.01. Some of you know I was praying for transportation due to the school's odd location. Well, the car is in great condition. It had one owner, and was donated to the school after that owner passed. Driving in a ugly brown vintage luxury vehicle is a far cry from my beloved manual sports car back home, but I am adjusting well and praising God for his supplication and sense of humor. (It happens to be the spitting image of my grandmother's old car, and it reminds me of her. I count it as a blessing for sure!) Humorously, on my first night driving I misjudged a u-turn and blew a tire on the curb. A week later I locked my keys inside at the Department of Motor Vehicles just after receiving my Guam Driver's License, and having an audience, broke in with piece of fence wire.

If you have seen my pictures, you have some idea of what Guam is like. I can drive through the city, walk through the jungle, swim in the ocean, eat wild coconuts, climb mountains, explore caves, and bask in the sun in a single day.

With my travels, however, I am getting a fuller picture of the earth and God's plan for it versus my romanticizing of it. Guam is a tropical island, but is a sort of paradise of deception if you are not careful. Some of my Micronesian friends have explained their upbringing on islands and how paradise quickly scoops you up into laziness and "island fever." Every place on Earth has its rose and its thorn. God's craftsmanship is extraordinary, but the residents are suffering from some isolation and apathy. On a positive note, I get to enjoy snorkeling in the ocean reef on a regular basis and am becoming quite the swimmer!

I will share a bit of history regarding the school. I'm sure some of you know the story of Hudson Taylor and the China Inland Mission. PIU is a result of both his initiation and Leibenzell missionaries from Germany. Most of Micronesia is catholic, thanks to the Spanish; and many of the students have catholic backgrounds. PIU is the sole protestant, evangelical university in the area. All of my teachers and most of the staff are missionaries from the States.

The school itself is a form of ministry, and with our small size, that is much more evident than it would be at a larger evangelical university. We have chapel twice a week, and devotion every school night. We have a fellowship/worship/game night every Saturday, and the students attend local churches on Sundays.

I am involved in several of the school's activities. I run sound for the worship team for all chapels and special events, and I play drums or bass as a back-up. I hope to lead worship here for the first time soon if not this Friday. I am also the male junior class representative for Student Council. (We just held a fund raiser for a StuCo scholarship we hope to be able to present students in the future.) Every Tuesday night, many of the students load up in a van with some sound equipment and go to the secular university (UOG) for Fellowship Live, an outreach we do for those college students. I get to take pictures and videos of the activities and play somewhat of a guiding role in prayer. It's cool to see the students' hearts for the believers and lost at UOG.

Perhaps the hardest struggle for me here is daily dorm life. Everyone here (like anywhere else) is either a Paul, a Peter, a David, a Pharisee, or a Roman. There is a lot of impatience, sensiivity, hypocrisy, brokenness, envy, rumor, lust, and rebellion. The amazing thing about all of that is the fact that God is making a kind of strand of firecrackers out of our short fuses that causes some to break down completely and give incredible testimonies and soft, raw hearts to Jesus. I have had to pray for an extra measure of patience due to a number of things, but God works on me just as hard as the prodigal son. Many times my sacrifice (a contrite heart) is my pride, and I am continually being forced to surrender it, all praise to God!

There have been several special events and side notes that I want to add to this email, but numerous as they are, I can't. Know specifically that God is working in more than just the school chapels and church services.

My requests to you are prayers for several things. First, upon arriving I found out that I am ineligible to receive any sort of financial aid, Leibenzell scholarship, or work-study due to my income last year. For this reason, I will have to find a job to pay for my schooling here. I know that God is already at work, providing for me in ways I can't imagine; but I would ask for your prayers still.

Second, please be praying for my brothers and sisters here as we all suffer from growing pains and some intolerance. There are some new believers, and some that are so close but are still held by things outside. My roommate in particular is suffering from certain things. He did sit down with us one night and we all prayed with him in tears for God to take his pain away and give him Jesus. He still needs prayers. There are so many negative distractions in his life and he just can't quite give it all up.

Third, please be in prayer for Faith Church as they continue to search for a pastor.

Fourth, please be in prayer for my sanctification.

Fifth, please pray for my future ministry both here and in Japan, that I would be continually Kingdom-focused.

Sixth, be in prayer for my family and I, as I have found it incredibly difficult to find time to stay in touch with them, and it looks like I could be overseas for as long as 3+ years.

I have been in correspondence with John Van Farowe, and may have some exciting news soon in regards to Japan. I miss you all and pray that God is working in your lives. I am working on a video/presentation that will hopefully convince some of your youth/children to come to school here! I apologize for the length of this email and will try to be more selective with the next one. So much can happen in a month! God bless and praise to Jesus our Lord.

Grace & Peace,

Kevin Patrick Graham

Guam Update August 2010 cont.

2010-08-22T02:47:00.000-07:00

Greetings!

After 22 hours of flying, I arrived safely on the island of Guam at 12:00 AM this morning (Sunday). Words cannot express the excitement I have in being here; both in a ministry and training sense, and also an adventurous one.

I am being hosted by a Pacific Islands University administration couple for a few days until I can move into the dorms. They have been more than accommodating and helpful in letting me stay.

I attended Faith Presbyterian CRC this morning and was warmly and excitedly welcomed. The church itself is small but lively, with a multitude of different cultures including Filipino, Chamorro (Guam native), Japanese, Korean, Polynesian, German, Canadian, American, etc. It was an awesome experience to see so many different cultures worshiping God together. I met briefly with a couple of the elders who were excited to put my spiritual gifts to use, either in worship or youth ministry. More to come on this in the coming weeks. I also was greeted by a representative from TransWorld Radio, an international gospel sharing station on Guam, which I may have the opportunity to volunteer or help out at. I made many new contacts and friends today, all who had words of encouragement, wisdom, and ministry. It is truly a delight to see your prayers working over here, as I am welcomed by so many new brothers and sisters. Particular friends I made today are an inquisitive 7 year old Chamorro boy whose mother leads worship, and an elderly Filipino man that I tried guessing the nationality of and failed humorously =) Everyone is so warm and encouraging, that I know the Lord is working here on Guam.

My hosts were kind enough to give me a half-day tour around the southern half of the island. At the 17th parallel North, Guam is definitely a tropical island. I saw mountains and valleys, lush jungles, sharp cliffs, clear bays, sandy beaches, rocky reefs, brilliant blues and greens; and the weather at an 85 degree average with a cool sea breeze is fantastic! How exhilarating is the Lord's creation!

Please keep Faith Presbyterian CRC in your prayers as they search for an interim pastor. They are a Spirit-filled church that greatly needs a servant. Also keep me in your prayers as I move into the dorms this week and experience Polynesian culture-shock, magnified by the close-quarters of dormitory living. They are a collectivist culture where every item in view is there for the good and use of all; as opposed to my individualist Western culture. Pray that I would be more sharing when able, and that they would be good stewards of my things!

Above all, pray that the Spirit would minister to all of the students at PIU this Fall, including myself. Thank you for your support. God using your willingness has enabled me to be sent out into the world.

Guam Update August 2010

2010-08-20T03:45:00.000-07:00

It's about 5:45 PM in Tokyo, but still 3:45 AM for me. Didn't really sleep that much. I finally found some free internet. It feels really good to be back in Japan, if only for a little while. Just seeing so many Japanese really gets my heart moving. I made friends with a Japanese boy on the plane. We got a little piece of chocolate for breakfast and I gave it to him. Good icebreaker, since we can't understand each other =) Departing for Guam in about an hour. All is well with me and I'm in good spirits. Another update once I reach my tiny island.

Application to PIU status: ACCEPTED.

2010-06-17T08:45:00.000-07:00

As of 6:00PM June 15, 2010, I have been accepted into the Bachelor of Arts program at Pacific Islands University in GUAM! I am praising the Lord with joy for opening this door and leading me to this point!

I am panning on an August 19 departure and attending Fall and Spring semesters. My major is undecided at this point, but will possibly be either Biblical Studies or Missions; whichever will be most beneficial for where the Lord leads me.

I am hoping to spend the following Summer in Japan at a private boarding school in GIFU, scoping opportunities, learning Japanese, and visiting friends in Shizuoka. More updates to come as my path comes into perspective. I'll try to maintain a balance of objectivity and personal ministry updates in my blog from now on. Please be praying for my schooling, my growth as a Christian, and that the Lord would bring many ministry opportunities my way.

Grace&Peace

-Kevin

P.S.

I will be starting a mailing list soon for those who wish to pray specifically. The goal I feel the Lord has led me to make is to do mission work in Japan. Updates that apply toward that end will be sent out on a regular basis.

Hunger & Thirst Tour

2010-06-04T06:27:00.000-07:00

Two of my favorite bands, My Epic and So Long Forgotten, are currently on a tour of the MW with a few special conditions. The purpose of the tour is explained by Micah from So Long Forgotten in the video below.

From what I understand, they are fasting for 30 hours before every Saturday night's show, and asking us to do the same. We will send the money that we would have spent on food to them to distribute to World Vision, eventually ending up as food in the hands of the hungry.

The fast starts this afternoon and goes until early Saturday evening. If you have never fasted before, I encourage you to start with this. During your fast, be praying for those who don't have food and water, and also for the band as they spread this example across the MW during their tour. It is easier to come to God and pray when we are uncomfortable and weak.

The Hunger and Thirst Tour from so long forgotten on Vimeo.

Keith Green movie in the works

2010-05-18T08:59:00.001-07:00

From Los Angeles Daily News:

Christian rock icon's widow enlists Hollywood to tell the musician's story

Nearly 30 years after Christian-rock pioneer Keith Green died in a plane crash, his widow and a Hollywood producer have teamed up to bring his story to the big screen in the hope of introducing a new generation to his music.

One of several Christian rock musicians who lived in the San Fernando Valley in the 1970s, Keith and his wife, Melody, wrote numerous hit songs, but also formed a seven-home community in Woodland Hills where they cared for people in need.

"The stuff he did was breaking all the rules," said Melody, now an author, composer and speaker who leads Last Days Ministries out of Kansas City, Mo.

"He showed up in flip-flops, blue jeans and suspenders and really kind of revolutionized the music industry by giving away his music for free, loving God, really loving people and telling Christians, `Hey, we've got to do what we say we believe."'

Full Article: http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_15105172

Forgiveness When Shame Is Heavy

2010-05-06T10:03:00.000-07:00

A video blog on forgiveness when our shame is too overwhelming from Aaron Stone of the band My Epic. Make sure you watch the whole thing, because there is a special treat at the end.

Reforming Reformed Always Reforming

2010-05-03T12:00:00.000-07:00

I read an uncomfortably poignant slogan today. It is translated many ways, with different words left out here and there, thus changing its meaning. This is the full quote, I believe. My understanding of Spanish, French, and English and love of transliteration will attempt a literal translation, with a little help from Google (which does not translate Latin).

"ecclesia reformata semper reformanda est secundu Verbum Dei."

"Church (Assembly) reformed always reforming is second(to) Word God"

In an English grammar mold, it looks like this:
"The Reformed Church is always reforming according to the Word of God"

Often it is just quoted "ecclesia semper reformanda" meaning "church always reforming." You can see where this quote could be greatly abused if only half of it is used.

How does this saying challenge you? For me, it's something like this: I am reformed, not because I want to fit into an organized mold, but because because being reformed means precisely the opposite; always studying the Word of God so that the mold of useless human methodical moralism does not become the new word of God.

Church should never "feel good" just because something is familiar tradition. We must always be asking why we do what we do, and what are we not doing that we should.

After reading this, don't go to your pastor and say, "We need to reform." Rather, ask him, "how can I make sure that I am always reforming to what the Bible says?"

Women and Calvinism

2010-05-03T11:18:00.000-07:00

Carolyn James speaks at a Religious Newsletters Association meeting briefly about what it means for her to be a Christian woman. If you're finding the Bible to be male-dominated, double-standardized, and a bit chauvinistic, give an ear to this woman and how she learned that the Bible is not domineering towards women, but rather extraordinarily freeing.

From the DesiringGod.org Resource Library. External link here.

Music 7: Page CXVI (FREE DL)

2010-04-29T06:42:00.000-07:00

Hymns & Hymns II

Page CXVI

(Indie/Praise/Worship) FREE! ---->

Page CXVI is a worship band comprised of members of the indie band The Autumn Film. The Hymns album featured here includes many well known hymns put to different tempos, instruments, styles, and sometimes even melodies.

The music sounds a lot like what you might hear if Copeland did worship music. The vocalist is female and somehow sounds nearly identical to Aaron Marsh. Some of the renditions are very upbeat and can be replicated for an awesome worship service for your church. Downloads from their website include chord sheets.

For a limited time (only one week, I think), Page CXVI is giving away their first album for free, in celebration of their second album. Go to PageCXVI.com to download their music or order CDs.

If you like the first Hymns album, the second one only gets better.

Stand-Up for the Sanctity of Life

2010-04-06T12:08:00.000-07:00

"The right to not be killed supersedes the right to not be pregnant."

"A new human being comes into existence during the process of fertilization."

"It is reasonable and necessary for society to outlaw certain "choices."
[Abort73.com]

"For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well." -Psalm 139:13, 14

"For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy." -Luke 1:41

"What then shall I do when God rises up? When He punishes, how shall I answer Him? Did not He who made me in the womb make them? Did not the same One fashion us in the womb?" -Job 31:14-15

"You shall not murder." -Exodus 20:13

There are a number of things you can do as a Christian to stand against abortion.
1. Pray.
2. Adopt.
3. Know why it is wrong according to the Bible.
4. Know why it should be wrong legally.
5. Advertise your position by wearing a t-shirt, posting on Facebook, hanging a flyer, etc.

Here is a site with plenty of resources to get you started.

Here are some samples of shirts.

Reconciliation through the Cross of Christ

2010-04-06T11:41:00.001-07:00

Do you have someone you need to forgive? Maybe you need to seek forgiveness from someone else. True reconciliation cannot happen unless we first realize that we have all been forgiven and reconciled to God. Perhaps you feel that that person doesn't deserve your forgiveness. Remember, that our forgiveness is completely unmerited as well.

Michael Oh is a is a missionary in Japan, and president of Christ Bible Seminary in Nagoya. His message here is about reconciliation and forgiveness through the cross of Jesus Christ. He speaks with personal conviction; after hearing his story, you might not think your situation is so exceptional.

Tools for the Great ComMission #FIVE

2010-02-26T09:56:00.000-08:00

John Piper speaks at a youth conference in the late 1990s, pleading with youth to embrace the cause of Christ. Think about tragedy in your life and in the lives of others, then compare it to the tragedies mentioned here.

Paul Washer - American Christianity

2010-02-22T12:40:00.000-08:00

A powerful compilation of Paul Washer. The reason I agree with Paul Washer is that he exposes areas of our beloved "American Christianity" that are false and not found in scripture. I have not heard a preacher more bold in this regard, who is diametrically loved and hated for it.

The visuals in this video are a bit trite (not necessary), but the audio is superb. Agree or disagree, Paul Washer speaks truth from literal scripture.

Music Worth Checking Out #SIX (FREE DOWNLOAD)

2010-01-26T11:06:00.000-08:00

Hymns
Anathallo
(Worship/Indie/Experimental) FREE!---->

Anathallo is an obscure and eclectic band of 8 multi-musicianary followers of Christ. Their two latest full-lengths--Floating World and Canopy Glow--are masterpieces of artistic songwriting, and I whole-heartedly recommend them to anyone who loves mostly soft, concept music that weaves a story through the whole album.

The Hymns album to the right is an EP release that the band recorded and sold for a homeless mission. The EP is out of print, but if you follow the link (below), courtesy of the band itself, you can download the album for free.

Link: the long way home - Free Anathallo Hymns Album

Songlist:
01. It is Well With My Soul
02. I Need Thee Every Hour
03. Come Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy
04. All Creatures of Our God and King
05. Before the Throne of God Above
06. Wondrous Love

"Before the Throne" is a personal favorite, and Anathallo's rendition is beautiful. Don't miss it!

Thought for today...

2010-01-22T07:53:00.000-08:00

I have not lived a long life, but I do know of love and of death; of which I can say the healing of the soul stands between the extremities of greatest consequence of both. The body and mind are simply vessels; to loose them for sake of a washed soul is among the greatest lives you can live.

"The body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still." -Luther, 1529

Disasters are Times for Opportunity

2010-01-15T10:03:00.000-08:00

Don't waste it. Show Christ in your giving and praying and fasting.

Matthew 25:31-46

(Link to pictures: Boston.com)
(Link to charities I trust: Here. Give with a thankful heart.)

(Thanks to Pastor for these.)

"I will teach you to forgive one another"

2010-01-15T09:53:00.000-08:00

This is a long-time favorite of mine.
Put it on fullscreen and open your heart.

(Audio: Some Seek Forgiveness, Others Escape by Underoath)
(Video: The Passion of the Christ directed by Mel Gibson)

Piper on Abortion

2010-01-10T10:23:00.000-08:00

(HT ERC Pastor's Blog)

Where are we going?

2009-12-18T06:39:00.000-08:00

"Pull me back to shore; I'll never reach my place."
-Sleeping At Last, Currents

The Rose

2009-12-15T06:31:00.000-08:00

God's Grace in the Old Testament

2009-12-11T05:32:00.000-08:00

There are many places in the Old Testament where God reveals His grace.

Stories like the creation, the flood, the Exodus, Ruth, David, and Solomon are all examples of God's saving power among those who did not deserve it. These stories are testaments of both His grace then and displays of His grace to come in Christ.

The following is a psalm of David that has been one of the most important texts for me on repentance and God's grace to me.

Psalm 32

Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven,
Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity,
and in whose spirit there is no deceit.

For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away
through my groaning all day long.
For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;
my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah

I acknowledged my sin to you,
and I did not cover my iniquity;
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,”
and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah

Therefore let everyone who is godly
offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found;
surely in the rush of great waters,
they shall not reach him.
You are a hiding place for me;
you preserve me from trouble;
you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding,
which must be curbed with bit and bridle,
or it will not stay near you.

Many are the sorrows of the wicked,
but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord.
Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous,
and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!

The Manhattan Declaration

2009-11-24T07:18:00.000-08:00

Today, I became the 78,919th person to sign the Manhattan Declaration.

I cannot significantly enough describe how critical and timely this document is. We live in a time of moral upheavel in regards to the three issues the document addresses. If the church does not take a stand for the
1.)sanctity of human life,
2.)the dignity of marriage, and
3.)the right to religious liberty,
then it has abandoned the teachings of our Lord Jesus and is no longer fit to be the precious bride he will call to himself.

This country is trying to pass laws that require YOU to pay for abortion, laws that require you to bless homosexual unions, and laws that will silence your religious establishment if you refuse to adhere.

When these laws are passed, will you be the victims of injustice or the doers of injustice? Are you willing to go to prison for your moral convictions? What does being a follower of Jesus mean in this country when persecution arrives at our doorstep?

The first 150 people who signed this document are the major religious leaders from every branch of Christianity. I have heard that every seminary in the United States has signed the document, with the exception of one. If this isn't enough, read the last paragraph from the document (emphasis added):

"Because we honor justice and the common good, we will not comply with any edict that purports to compel our institutions to participate in abortions, embryo-destructive research, assisted suicide and euthanasia, or any other anti-life act; nor will we bend to any rule purporting to force us to bless immoral sexual partnerships, treat them as marriages or the equivalent, or refrain from proclaiming the truth, as we know it, about morality and immorality and marriage and the family. We will fully and ungrudgingly render to Caesar what is Caesar's. But under no circumstances will we render to Caesar what is God's."

You can read and sign the document here: The Manhattan Declaration.org.

Music Worth Checking Out #FIVE

2009-11-23T07:09:00.000-08:00

Keith Green
1953-1982
Recording years 1976-1982
(Worship/Singer-songwriter/Lyrical)

I'm sure many of you have heard of mainstream contemporary Christian artists like Michael W. Smith, Rebecca St James, and Chris Tomlin, but it's doubtful the name Keith Green has ever come to mind when you think "CCM."

Keith Green arose from rough background, but eventually was born in Christ and started a local ministry with his wife for drug adicts, alcoholics, and prostitutes.

He released several albums in the 70's and early 80s under the "contemporary Christian" genre. However, it is hard to lable him thusly because many of his works contain far more talent and sincerity than the rush of commercialized CCM artists that followed him.

Suggested Tracks: Oh Lord You're Beautiful, There is a Redeemer, Easter Song
Listen for free here.

Time for a new Bible?

2009-11-20T13:02:00.000-08:00

The ESV Study Bible is the best Bible I have ever owned.

To the right, you can order the ESV study Bible for half its value on Amazon. Below, John Piper explains why you should own a more literal, scholarly, and accurate translation.

The English Standard Version is built off of the original 1611 King James Version - the closest readable literal translation the English language can provide. It is written at a 10th-12th grade reading level (compared to the NIV which is 7th-8th grade reading level). Many of you are still reading a translation that is meant for young or international readers.

The ESV Study Bible contains color charts and pictures, scholarly articles on theology and commentary, cross references, study notes, and much more. I highly recommend the ESV translation, and this is by far the most comprehensive ESV study Bible available.

"I'll take your Jesus if the payoff is right!"

2009-11-19T12:26:00.000-08:00

A video by indie filmmaker and director Nathan Clarke of Fourth Line Films and produced by The Global Conversation on the effects of the prosperity gospel where it is currently being tought.

Blog title quoted from "You Will Suffer" by John Piper

(HT ERC Pastor's Blog)

Tools for the Great ComMission #FOUR

2009-11-19T11:54:00.000-08:00

Some quotes regarding missions by famous individuals:

"I have but one candle of life to burn, and I would rather burn it out in a land filled with darkness than in a land flooded with light.”
-John Keith Falconer

“No one has the right to hear the gospel twice, while there remains someone who has not heard it once.”
-Owald J. Smith

“We talk of the Second Coming; half the world has never heard of the first.”
-Oswald J. Smith

“He is not seeking a powerful people to represent HIM. Rather, He looks for all those who are weak, foolish, despised, and written off: and He inhabits them with His own strength.”
-Graham Cooke

“While vast continents are shrouded in darkness… the burden of proof lies upon you to show that the circumstances in which God has placed you were meant by God to keep you out of the foreign mission field.”
-John Keith-Falconer

“If God has fit you to be a missionary, I would not have you shrivel down to be a king.”
-Charles Spurgeon

“Tell the students to give up their small ambitions and come eastward to preach the gospel of Christ.”
-Francis Xavier

“God uses men who are weak and feeble enough to lean on him.”
-Hudson Taylor

(HT dEADseed) (Thanks Cody!)

Music Worth Checking Out #FOUR

2009-11-03T07:26:00.000-08:00

I Am Undone
My Epic
(Indie/Experimental/Dynamic/Worship/Prayerful)

Everything about this album makes my heart move. This is another album meant to be a whole rather than individual parts.

Track one is a prologue to the rest of the album. Soft strings and a rhodes carries on a simple pad while the band recites, "May it be the real I who speaks, May it be the real Thou that I speak to," from C.S. Lewis. It sets the stage and the mood as something mature, deeply personal, and with complete reverence to the Father.

"The Oil Press" connects the prologue to the "meat" of the album. Lead singer Aaron Stone sings "Where else would I go, with every mercy you have shown? I'm fearing this harvest I have sown. And my time is so short, so please make it yours."

"Lest We Die" speaks of every man's battle with with himself. The ending swells with "I did not pour out these tides or tell these planets to align. My breath could never give new life, so why am I so full of pride!" into a soaring instrumental climax.

"The Lover And The Thief" seems to be dedicated to a lost loved one. An emotional, pulsing rhythm tells of a boy's pain with losing someone he loved. The chorus comes in with a beautiful, heartbreaking atmospheric choir and he questions God's reasoning behind it all, "I don't think you're aware just how much this damages my faith." The second half of the song is the Father's glorious response. "I'm wrecking you to help you see: you're not who you should be ... She followed me, that's why you weep. It's me you need!"

"Perelandra" is an instrumental track that seems to be a continuation of the prior track, allowing you to contemplate on God. Bits of this track are used in 3 other tracks later on in the album, making this the "binding."

"You Know We All Love you" starts off heavy. "You'll paint this town black with the laws that you craft. Then turn it all red with the fires they set," speaking of His judgement to awful sinners. Then the chorus only happens once with a powerful message, "The fire's in your house! There's no time left to sort this out. All of us are guilty men, there is no line between us and them," speaking that we are all just as guilty. The heavy instrumental section repeats and ushers in a hard and sharp, "Fear! Fear and trembling, brothers!"

"Our Little Girl" is a complicated track. The CD booklet says it is based on a short story called "The Painting." My interpritation points to guilty burden of rushed infatuation, perhaps a man cheating on his wife and later trying to tell her. The song speaks of a fruit that's so tempting "it just wants to let go," but "it swells with a poison that used to be love." Then perhaps these lyrics describe the actions of lust "small betrayals and these orphaned deeds unattached to love." Then the consequence, "This will destroy you and I will stand like a stranger." The most poignant line in the song is: "so I lay in this bed beside your body, but miles of words and deeds lie in between. And should we brave that space to find each other, We'd have to meet the ghosts of our conceit." The song ends with a crashing breakdown, perhaps signifying that very burden.

"Men In Little Houses" is my favorite track. The song starts of heavy. The lyrics point to the ignorance of men at first, "modern man is so adept at skimming past the ocean's depths." Then my favorite riff in the whole album comes in with, "We can't feel the spinning underneath. This globe rotates and no one perceives." Then the best lines come in, "this is where we lie, someplace between the matter and the mystified ... what if all our lives are founded in the moments that escape our eyes? We are so small!"

"Communion" relates the relationship between men and God to lovers. A peaceful verse brings in a definate chorus, "I'm told that You hold all things, and without you that I'd cease to be." Afterwards, very beautiful lines bring in the title phrase of the album: "A cup, a candle, and this bread, a table for rememberence. The quiet awe of penitence, the still refrain of broken men." The music starts to pick up and then, "In this moment weakness speaks, I feel the weight of my being. For the moment you release the particles in everything. I am undone." This song makes me think of brokeness, and afterward having communion or meeting with Christ as he completely undoes you.

"You Became I" tells of man's drifting from God to other masters and idols. "I've been shifting my affection to whatever love may call my name." The chorus brings in, "All creation waits, aching for the day. There is no escape from what the author fates." The end starts to bring in some hope, "We've been living in shadows, soon exposed to the light..." Then after the song has seemed to have ended, a little voice brings, "fault will find us all in guilty lives, only mercy can a hope provide." He continues very softly with "return, repent before deep heaven falls upon our heads." Then a crashing riff comes in and repeats, representing the end.

Track 11 is untitled and simply labled "-". This is the most worshipful song on the album. A simple guitar line cradles words of humility and complete submission to the Father, "My God, I am not, but you are." The song ends powerfully with the same lines, giving God all of the glory.

Album lyrics at Bands on Fire.
Listen to the whole album on Myspace.

Tools for the Great ComMission #THREE

2009-11-02T06:01:00.000-08:00

"The promise is sure. The price is suffering. The prize is satisfying."

This is absolutely the most inspiring, passionate message given on missions I have ever heard. John Piper speaks on what Christ really meant we he told us to "go and make disciples of all nations;" at any cost.

This message was given to college-aged students to inspire and empower them to truly suffer for the cause of Christ. This message will not be accepted by more mainstream, contemporary Evangelicals. However, consider Jesus' words: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."

If you have the call to frontier missions, then this message will resonate with what Christ is doing in your heart. You will be moved.

Doing Missions When Dying Is Gain(audio) by John Piper
Written transcript here.

Thank You, Lord

2009-11-02T05:55:00.000-08:00

"Praise should always follow answered prayer; as the mist of earth's gratitude rises when the sun of heaven's love warms the ground. Hath the Lord been gracious to thee, and inclined his ear to the voice of thy supplication? Then praise him as long as thou livest. Let the ripe fruit drop upon the fertile soil from which it drew its life. Deny not a song to him who hath answered thy prayer and given thee the desire of thy heart." - C. H. Spurgeon, Morning&Evening

The Prosperity Gospel

2009-10-30T13:31:00.000-07:00

John Piper speaks on the prosperity gospel. The background music is "Sanctitatis" by Future of Forestry (Twilight album). Thanks to Pastor Mark for introducing me to this video. It really shines a light on how Christ uses brokenness to spread the gospel, not rewards. He wants laborers who are willing to suffer as he suffered, and take delight in him alone, not worldly pleasures. A powerful reminder...

The Prodigal Son and the Older Brother in America

2009-10-28T09:05:00.000-07:00

I was driving to work yesterday at 6:30AM when I decided to turn on the radio. It happened to be on CSN Radio and a segment from Norm Nelson's Compassion Radio was playing. Norm was interviewing a man named Brian, a former member of the Mafia in New York; a drug runner. Brian accepted Christ when a woman, unafraid of his rough exterior, presented the gospel to him.

I tracked down the radio program and put up a link. This isn't your average "bad man turns to Jesus" story. It's a lot closer to the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15.

"'... and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is
alive again; he was lost, and is found.’" -Lk 15:23, 24

The father rejoices when the lost son comes home, and the older brother who remained at home did not cause rejoicing.

"... he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served
you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young
goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of
yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the
fattened calf for him!’" -Lk 15:29, 30

Jesus used this parable to illustrate 2 things. 1.) All of Heaven rejoices when a lost son is found. The Father receives him with open arms. 2.) The "older brother," "pharisee," or "Christian-on-the-outside" is in a much more dangerous position than the vilest offender who accepts Christ.

When Brian was interviewed, he was quick to tell of his former life in darkness and how he needed Jesus as LORD (not just savior), but he also pointed out the "older brother" in America: the sea of churches full of unrepentant "Christians" just looking for a "savior," or just the benefits of a savior.

Please, please, please listen to the radio program. I cried in my car after the program was over, not because the story of his conversion was emotional, but because I had been convicted by an ex-mafia drug-runner, a better Christian than I.

The program can be found here: http://broadcast.compassionradio.com/cr20091027-tue.mp3

Music Worth Checking Out #THREE

2009-10-28T05:45:00.000-07:00

I Am Living Vol. 1

Come&Live! Records

(Various Artists/Worship)

(Taken from Cross Rhythms)

"A RADICAL new Christian record label has been established in the USA. At the start of this year Chad Johnson left his position as head of A&R at Seattle's Tooth & Nail Records where he had discovered and developed Underoath, Anberlin and Mae to establish "missionary record label" Come&Live! Records. The label will depend on missionary-style fundraising for survival (artist and staff members will be raising their own support). Come&Live! will be giving 100 per cent of their profits to humanitarian and missions organizations and will package exclusively with recycled materials..."

The label's first sample collection I Am Living Vol. 1 is available for free download at their website (click the image). You will find a range of styles from indie to pop to electronic to hardcore, all within the context of worship. I downloaded this album and couldn't stop listening to it for days. -KG

Suggested tracks: "Awakening," "Sing," "Run to You"

Tools for the Great ComMission #TWO

2009-10-27T10:35:00.000-07:00

Know the state of the world.

According to The Joshua Project, there are 6,639 unreached people groups in the world today. The 2,700,000,000 (that's BILLION) people in those 6,639 unreached people groups have an Evangelical population that is less than 2% or non-existent.

He told us: "go" (Mt 28:19).

This video does a good job at trying to put that into perspective. The music is "Tears from the Saints" by Leeland and "What A Friend I've Found" by Delirious?. The speaker is John Piper.

Thanks to Pastor Mark for introducing me to this video.

S.H.I.F.T. Corn Maze Event!

2009-10-27T10:16:00.000-07:00

S.H.I.F.T. will be going to the Dan-D Farms Haunted Corn Maze this Friday, October 30th. Youth are to meet at the church at 6:15PM. We will leave around 6:30PM. We should be back at the church around 9:30PM.

Please dress WARM. -KG

Is Jesus the Only Way to God?

2009-10-26T09:13:00.000-07:00

Relevant Magazine has very good article as a response to the rise of universalism. A surprising number of Americans believe that God is the same in all religions; that you can inherit eternal life whether you pray to Allah, Jehovah, Yahweh, Buddha, The Tao, Brahman, your ancestors, or Jesus.

(Click the image to view the article -->)

Do you know someone who belongs to a different religion? Have you ever neglected to talk to them about Jesus because you were afraid of hurting their feelings or loosing them as a friend? Did that eventually lead you to decide "God could not be so cruel as to send non-Christians who pray to 'God' to eternal torment, could he??"

Jesus said “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). Peter says in Acts 4:12, "And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

No other name. Where do the names Buddha, Yahweh (non-trinitarian), Brahman, Jehovah (non-trinitarian), and Allah (non-trinitarian) lead to? Where does their way go? This is not a friendly, feel-good, include-everyone, philanthropist kind of message, is it?

This is the Gospel (good news). Wait! Good news??

Yes, it is good news. Hell is real, and you and I are deserving of it. Jesus came to fufill the law of God because we could not. He is a savior to all who believe. Anyone who does not believe and call on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ will not be saved. This is not something you want to hold back from that someone-you-know. -KG

Read the article here.

For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” -Romans 10:13

Music Worth Checking Out #TWO

2009-10-26T06:15:00.001-07:00

Travel

Future of Forestry

(Indie/Worship/Experimental/Prayerful)

Future of Forestry front man/songwriter Eric Owyoung has a unique passion and talent for melding worshipful, prayerful music with creative, and sometimes innovative works of art.

Their third album (and first in a 3 part Travel series) Travel stands out from from former album Twilight. Lyrically mature and sincere, musically spellbinding and enchanting; there's a diversity of instruments and style on this album that, when added to Eric's heartfelt and honest praise, really enables one to marvel at God, and worship him in a new but no less revering light. -KG

Suggested Tracks: Closer to Me and Halleluiah

Listen to the whole album on myspace.

Doing things my own way

2009-10-26T05:00:00.000-07:00

"To suppose that whatever God requireth of us that we have power of ourselves to do, is to make the cross and grace of Jesus Christ of none effect." -John Owen

Music Worth Checking Out #ONE

2009-10-24T11:39:00.000-07:00

Things We Can See & Things We Cannot
So Long Forgotten
(Indie/Experimental/Conceptual/Prayerful)

I'll say this right away: This album is not for everybody. It's written and put together in such a way that it is meant to be listened to as a whole rather than individual pieces.

Singer/songwriter Micah Boyce's vocals and lyrics are artistic, intense, soulful, and incredibly subjectively objective. This is to say that he tends to be more passionate than some will be comfortable with. Nevertheless, there is a beauty and praise found in this album underneath it's sometimes painful honesty. When Micah screams "Yours was everything I could and could not see! Yours was everything!" things will start to come together, and your hair will stand on end. -KG

(The following taken from Bands On Fire.)

"Chad Johnson, the former head A&R at Tooth & Nail Records, who was responsible for introducing the world to Underoath, Anberlin and Mae, ... laid out a very bold, very blunt offer. Walk away from a lucrative record deal, and join his “Come&Live!” venture, a new record label where all the music is released through a free/pay what you want model.

While most bands would have slammed the door in Johnson’s face, and grabbed the biggest signing bonus possible, So Long Forgotten found the idea to be right in line with their mission. “Our band has always put servanthood first,” Micah says. “So many bands just exist to feed the Christian subculture monster. Instead of being a light in a dark place, Christianity becomes their genre. I think "Christian” is a much better noun than an adjective. Come&Live! pushes us to be ‘noun Christians.’ We’re not going to make a lot of money at this. It’s humbling, and it forces us to be out there where God can use this band.”

Album lyrics: here.
Free album download: here.

Tools for the Great ComMission #ONE

2009-10-23T14:46:00.000-07:00

Every so often I will put up resources for all you who are considering the call of missions.

This is taken from the book Let the Nations Be Glad by John Piper.

"Missions is not the ultimate goal of the church. Worship is. Missions exists because worship doesn't. Worship is ultimate, not missions, because God is ultimate, not man. When this age is over, and the countless millions of the redeemed fall on their faces before the throne of God, missions will be no more. It is a temporary necessity. But worship abides forever."

S.H.I.F.T. is going to Onething'09 at IHOP

2009-10-23T12:21:00.000-07:00

My youth group, S.H.I.F.T, is going to IHOP this December for the Onething'09 Conference. We will be raising money this year with croissant sales, soup suppers, and other fund raisers. Please contact me if you would like to support us. Click the banner on the right for more info.

Jesus Died - Paul Washer

2009-10-23T08:08:00.000-07:00

A powerful video from http://www.illbehonest.com/. Paul Washer frequently focuses on the gospel and what it means to be saved and live in obedience.

The Exodus Conspiracy, 2010

2009-10-23T08:00:00.001-07:00

A documentary featuring the search for the true Exodus path, Red Sea crossing, and Mt. Sinai (not the traditional or tourized ones). This movie is set to be released sometime in 2010. A lot of the movie focuses on how tourism is banned in Saudi Arabia, and how research and excavation in regards to the Old Testament are prohibited just about everywhere (sometimes violently). Here is a trailer:

Movie website: http://www.exodusconspiracy.com/

The Findings of the Late Ron Wyatt

2009-10-22T07:18:00.000-07:00

~You may not have heard of this man. This is because his findings and discoveries have been covered up, disregarded, and dismissed by both scientists and most Christians.

Ron Wyatt has documented his findings from the 1970's to late 1990's of what he believes to be:
1.) Noah's Ark
2.) Soddom & Gomorrah
3.) The Red Sea Crossing
4.) Mt. Sinai
5.) The Ark of the Covenant with Jesus' blood.

Some of these claims may seem a bit fantastical. However, consider the evidence for yourself at his website: http://www.wyattmuseum.com/.

Further support comes from this video series:
Exodus and Red Sea: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJXUv_btg60.
Noah's Ark: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y5ORpMTebI&feature=related
The narration is done by his wife.

Wikipedia is inaccurate. Read this FAQ: http://www.webspawner.com/users/ronwyattfaq/index.html.

Christian oriented versions of the tellings of his findings can be found here: http://www.wyattarchaeology.com/

I am personally convinced that his findings are true, by both the evidence and his character. Choosing whether or not to believe in these specific discoveries as the true locations does not affect your salvation. However, it might give cause to marvel.