City Lights

Major cities are known to have millions of lights throughout the streets. Then there are the sky-risers with thousands of lights shinning in each of them, yet there is so much darkness throughout as well. I'm not talking about physical darkness, I'm talking about spiritual darkness. Each time I walk through the streets of San Diego, I can see that there is such a need for Jesus. People walking up and down the streets, workers coming in and out of their offices, and the poor sitting on the curb asking for someone to give them money, all of them from young to old, rich to poor need Jesus. There are thousands of people living, visiting, and or working in the cities, and out of those thousands there are many people who do not know Christ.

Last week Friday I walked through downtown San Diego, to pray and minister to the people that God led me to. I met one homeless gentleman whom I talked to before. He remembered me and I had another good conversation with him. I learned a little more about him and he is a really nice guy. I also noticed that he had a lot of pain in his eyes. Not once did he make eye contact with me and most of the time his head was buried into his chest. He is a hurting man, that appears to have a heavy burden on his shoulders. He didn't tell me that, but he didn't have to. I felt God leading me to give him encouragement. God wanted me to tell him that he was loved, loved by a Holy and Mighty God, who gave His Son to die for him. I asked if there was anything he wanted me to pray for but he said, "No, I'm in good shape." I told him that I have been praying for him. I prayed over him the last time I met him. I feel that God wants me to go back to the spot where this man spends the majority of his time, and continue to share Jesus with Him. To build a relationship with him, and to continue to be the hands and feet of Jesus.

I talked to another homeless gentleman that day as well. He was a little more outgoing, and I could tell he loved talking to people. I learned a lot about this man, and he shared how he had moved from city to city across the nation. He did a lot of rambling, but I don't think he gets the opportunity of talking to people too often. I asked him if I could pray for him, and he said, "sure." He asked me to pray for his health. After the conversation was over I asked him if I could give him something. I pulled out a Bible from my bag and handed it to him. He accepted it, and said his previous Bible was stolen and he thanked me for it. He said that he would read it. I can only trust that God will touch his heart completely and that the Holy Spirit will work in his life.

I know that God continues to lead me to more and more people as I move forward into this ministry. It is still on the ground floor, but God has already been moving and teaching me more and more about how I can serve Him in this way. I know that God wants me to be the light in the city, and shine for Jesus throughout the city streets. I believe that as I talk and minister to the homeless, God is using that to minister to those around me, to those that are passing by overhearing the conversation. I know that God is planting the seeds in these people's hearts, and that they will multiply for His glory and to further expand His Kingdom. God will use me to be the city Light, the Light that only Jesus can give. God is the Lord of all these people, and there are greater things still to be done in this city!

Gotta Trust, God Commands It

God has put the title of this on my heart tonight, and gave me a nudge to write up this blog. I just completed my lesson for tonight, for my Bible Study tomorrow night. The Bible reading for tonight was Isaiah 48:12-22. I have been studying the book of Isaiah in Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) this year, and it has really touched my life. BSF in general has had a large impact on my life in a positive way. I want to share with you a couple verses that struck me tonight.

"This is what the Lord says -- your Redeemer, the Holy One of Isreal: 'I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go... They (Isrealites) did not thirst when he led them through the deserts; he made water flow for them from the rock; he split the rock and water gushed out.'" Isaiah 48:17,21

Like I said these verses struck me, and I felt a little leap in my heart when I read through this entire passage. I know that there are several verses in the Bible that talk about trusting in God, and He will guide His people wherever they go. Just to name a few, Josh 1:9, Prov. 3:5-6, Isaiah 58:11, and Jer. 29:11. God gave me a trust reminder tonight. Right before I started my lesson I had an incredible conversation with my roommate, and we both felt the Holy Spirit filling up our bedroom. I confessed my shortcomings how I so often catch myself worrying so much about the details of my life, and how everything is going to come together, such as finances, health care, and all the practical things that we need on a day to day basis. But then I get the knock in the head, and God speaks to me. God is my provider, He is my portion, and He guides my every step I make, and never leaves me stranded to try to figure it out. God has it figured out. God calls me to trust, to obey His word and trust what it says.

When I read the story of the Israelites wondering through the desert, I've thought so many times how foolish they were, and how great their lack of trust was. Here God performed miracle after miracles right before their eyes, and yet they still feared, grumbled, and tried to go and figure things out for themselves. We all know the story, but the reality is I think of how many times I have done the same thing. God has done marvelous works in my life, and has performed many miracles, yet so many times when a hard time strikes, or when I don't quite understand why I am led through the valleys and roads that I travel, I find myself acting very similar to the Israelites. I have to repent to God about this so often. God gave me a reminder tonight. I know that as I move forward, as I serve my Savior, and as God continues to use me in my life He will always provide in every area. Though it may be impossible in the worldly realm, with God it is not impossible.

I can feel it in my spirit that God is moving mountains in my life, and that He has some pretty remarkable plans in store for me. God continues to give me small glimpse of what He is calling me to do, and guides me one step at a time. I will never see the whole picture, but then again God does. God only requires me to trust Him, and to continue to walk by faith and not by sight. That is what I want to to. It certainly isn't easy, and yes it is a constant battle that is being fought, but in the end the battle will be won by the greatest Victor of all, and that is the God that I serve. The One who has conquered the world, and is sitting on the Heavenly Throne with the universe in His hands. He is watching over me, and He will never leave my side. There is nothing more encouraging than that.

I pray that you can be encouraged, and just continue to trust God in His plans for you. God has you in His hands, and has the perfect plan for you too. No matter what you may go through, or are going through in life, there is nothing too big, or too difficult for God to take care of. All He asks for of you is a willing heart, and for you to believe in Him, and trust what He says. God loves you. Turn your eyes on Jesus, in the midst of it all, keep your eyes upon Him, He is all you need.

God, thank you for being our Heavenly Father, the One who takes care of us, and guides our every step in life. Though the world around us may be crumbling, You are our Rock, our fortress, and our deliverer. Father You are the one that we need, and may we never stop running for you Lord. God give us the wisdom we need in the decisions that need to be made each day, and the guidance we need as we move around in this world. It is a very messed up world Lord, and a world full of people who so desperately need You. God I ask that You lead Your people, and teach us to trust in You and You alone. God may we stand together in unity, as a body of Christ with the mission to glorify and serve You. Lord I stand amazed at how marvelous You are. I so often am speechless, and am in total awe of You. You are God alone, and there is no one greater that You. Lord, guide us and lead us through the lowest valleys, and through the steepest mountains. Wherever You call us to go, may You give us the courage to follow. Thank you Lord. I love you oh God. In Jesus' Name, Amen

What's New

I realize that it has been a while since the last update, at least for me anyways because I typically write often about what's going on. There really isn't a whole lot new since the last time, other than being busy. Kinda boring I know! But my life isn't boring by any means, I mean sure maybe some moments are, but whose life isn't like that at times. Seriously though, I have been working with all sorts of projects, and gearing up for ministry. I've had a few struggles of discouragement these past couple of weeks, but thanks to all of your prayers for that, God has been delivering me out of that. He continues to show Himself faithful to me in amazing ways. Ways that I don't even expect sometimes.

I've been doing a lot of studying lately about the city of San Diego, as well as different areas that we can focus on ministry. I've been learning a lot about the city and the people in it. It has been a great advantage for me about already knowing the area a little due to numerous trips here long before YWAM came about in my life. But what is exciting is I never get tired of learning more about the city, and adventuring through it. God has opened my eyes to something, and is showing me all the different areas that He wants to lead me in. During the past several weeks I've been thinking a lot about my experience in San Francisco, and what I all did and learned there. It has been a year ago already since I've been there and finished my outreach of my DTS. It was an awesome outreach that is for sure. I have been missing it greatly, and think of the people there often. I made a lot of great friends there. I look forward to getting similar ministries started here and becoming more involved in this city as well as establishing more relationships. God keeps reminding me that this is what He is calling me to do, and He definitely has a job for me to do. This is what brings a song to my heart, and gets it to pound a little faster with excitement. God has called me to take my church's mission statement into action to San Diego and that is awesome. I will follow in the steps of Jesus down the streets, and wherever His steps lead me to go.

These next couple of weeks have some meetings in them with church leaders and individuals regarding this new ministry. I just recently finished a large project for our Baja and Beyond event, which I am very happy about. I was busy all week with this project, and now the event is this weekend. Several of our staff are down in Mexico working it and hosting a large number of people that will be building three houses for needy families. It is an exciting weekend!

I thank you for your prayers. I promise I will keep these blogs updated as much as possible. You all know I love to write, and share with you what's happening. God bless you all, and have an amazing day!

Through His Eyes

Throughout the darkness there is Light. The Light over powers the darkness. The Light is in me. That Light is Jesus. Jesus lives within me and as I walk through the darkness of the city. Jesus is the Light that shines within me. I want to see the people the way that Jesus sees them. I want to look through the eyes of Jesus. Those who are living in this world who feel as if not a soul in the world cares about them, I want my hand to reach down to them, and say you are loved. Why? Because that is what Jesus would do. Jesus is asking me to follow in His steps, and His steps are leading me this way.

I have been working hard on gearing up for Mission Adventures, and one thing I want to be is an example for the young people that will be joining us. I want these young students to learn to look through the eyes of Jesus. I feel that God wants our hearts to break for what breaks His. I feel God has already broken my heart for these people that are alone. I feel that the desire continues to grow the more involved in the city I become. The more I prepare for the ministry, the more I feel God readying my heart to serve Him more. To live for Him more. To shine for Him more. God has been doing something in my heart that I would have never dreamed of just a year or so ago. God has given me a dream. That dream is being fulfilled. When God first asked me to step out in faith and follow Him, I thought what He was asking me to do was impossible. I thought that I was the wrong person for the job. I don't think that anymore. God showed me that I can do anything He asks me to. God has used my weakness and turned it into His strength.

This week I took a few of the staff down to the rescue mission. We all served the men in the mission some dinner, and all of the men there were very grateful. They were friendly, and happy to see us. It was awesome to work for God that way, and to see the joy on the guys' faces. I was able to see them through His eyes. These men were once broken down men with no where to go, but God has transformed them. There are many more people out there who need a transformation. So many people need to hear about Jesus, and be told that they are loved. They need to be told that they are valuable. God wants me to go and be a leader. Being a leader isn't a natural gift that I have, in fact I naturally am not at all a leader. But there is Someone else in me who is. His name is Jesus. Jesus is my leader and His is going to lead me and teach me how to lead others closer to Him. He is strong in my weakness, and I can rest assured that with His strength I can do whatever it is He asks me to do.

"For I am honored in the eyes of the Lord, and my God has been my strength... Kings will see you and rise up, princes will see and bow down, because of the Lord, who is faithful, the Holy one of Israel, who has chosen you." Isaiah 49:5,7

Yes, He Can

We live in a very unpredictable world. A world that is full of fear, and despair. But one thing that is certain is God is still in control of this world and not a thing can happen without Him knowing.

In my own personal life I have many struggles that I have to deal with on a day-to-day basis, and each day I have to learn to leave all of them at the Throne. They are out of my control, and I have a choice to either worry myself sick about them, or I can say, "God I can't do this, but I know You can." God is a big and mighty God, and the things we struggle with are a "piece of cake" for Him to handle.

After my DTS, but before I joined on full-time staff with YWAM, I felt God calling me to do some pretty radical ministries, and to start some some ministries in San Diego. I felt that what He was calling me to do sounded pretty extreme for a few reasons. One of them because I feel very unqualified for the job, and the other it sounds like something that I am unable to do. How many of you had ever had those thoughts? If you are honest with yourself, I'm sure that you can say you have had similar thoughts, if not the exact same ones.

But I am here to tell you that God is the God of the impossible. He has shown that to me in countless ways. One of the biggest ways He has, is by leading me to where I sit today as a missionary for Him. It was quite a struggle to get to this point, but I knew that I had to persevere and keep charging through the struggles that came on my path, and with His strength I have done that, and with His strength I will continue to do that. When I say I am unqualified, or unable I am sounding exactly like Moses. Look what God did through him... look what He did through David, Daniel, & Paul and several others. Did any of them have the easy way? Of course not. Did they find themselves in situations that seemed impossible? They sure did.

So when I think about the stories in the Bible, and the stories from others today, I have one thing to say, "Yes He can." God can do anything. God led called me to city ministry, starting in San Diego, and I know that God will lead me through it. It won't be easy, there will be challenges, but God will lead me through them. I am very excited about this new ministry. God's dreams for me are being fulfilled. Though I may not know what the next step will bring, I do know Who will be there. I know that He knows what lies ahead, and I have to trust Him as my navigational Guide. He knows the way better than anybody.

God will lead you through your challenges too. As long as we step out in faith and be obedient to Him, He will lead the way and provide for our needs. There is nothing impossible with God, and we can do all things through His strength.