A Lengthy Absence

     So, like I had mentioned earlier a few posts back, I will be leaving on a Mission Trip. Well, that day has come! Or rather, it will be tomorrow. So even though my little blog has just begun, I must put it on pause for about the next 6 weeks. 😦 I am hoping to squeeze some blog time in but I cannot garantee any promises. 🙂 So, this is a fond and sad adieu! But I am not too sad. 😉

So In closing, I want to share a passage of scripture that will be getting me through these next few weeks.

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,
My God, in whom I trust!”
For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper
And from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with His pinions,
And under His wings you may seek refuge;
His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.

You will not be afraid of the terror by night,
Or of the arrow that flies by day;
Of the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
Or of the destruction that lays waste at noon.
A thousand may fall at your side
And ten thousand at your right hand,
But it shall not approach you.
You will only look on with your eyes
And see the recompense of the wicked.
For you have made the Lord, my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place.
No evil will befall you,
Nor will any plague come near your tent.

For He will give His angels charge concerning you,
To guard you in all your ways.
They will bear you up in their hands,
That you do not strike your foot against a stone.
You will tread upon the lion and cobra,
The young lion and the serpent you will trample down.

“Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him;
I will set him securely on high, because he has known My name.
“He will call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will rescue him and honor him.
“With a long life I will satisfy him
And let him see My salvation.”

Psalm 91

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Precipitation…

     It is one of those days. And by that I mean it actually rained! I mean, on the lower West Coast of the United States, rain is rare and when it does rain it does either two things: Pours buckets for a good 5 minutes or sprinkles for a whole day. Well, that might actually be an exaggeration but rain in the middle of July, one of the hottest months of the year, is a nice reprieve.

     The weather forecast app on my phone says its 76 degrees F. out which is a dramatic change from the 100+ a couple short weeks ago. The app also says its supposed to be a thunderstorm but so far, I haven’t heard any rumblings. Which reminds me of a somewhat humorous photo I saw online the other day. It’s funny because I can relate to it. 🙂

Lessons From Our Founding Fathers…

     In my previous post, I had mentioned that I will be going to the East Coast for a mission trip. The theme of the Mission Trip is Revolutionize and it is about training up this generation to becoming the next generation’s leaders. As I was putting together the Bible study for the trip, I stumbled across four lessons that I think we can all learn from. These lessons were portrayed by our founding fathers as they “Revolutionized” America. They are, as follows… 🙂

The courage of convictions: Our founders clung to and fought for the cause of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” With years of hindsight and the benefit of our modern comforts, it is hard to comprehend their sacrifices. Leadership in a global economy requires steady conviction in the face of incredible challenges. To say that our Founding Fathers were men of conviction would be an understatement, but all great leaders are. What will be the measure of your leadership?

The sanctity of sacrifice: In the formation of our republic and in signing the Declaration of Independence, the Founders pledged to one another, “our lives, our fortunes, our sacred honor.” The leadership principle of sacrifice is not new. Our Founders understood it well. And to that end we understand that sacrificial leadership is selfless, not self-serving. The commitment made 236 years ago reminds us that no great accomplishment comes without sacrifice and that causes greater than self are the lasting ones. Time tested through two centuries, today’s best leaders understand the power of sacrifice when it comes to making a lasting impact.

The fulfillment of faith: To their credit, the Founders understood and valued the practice of faith. In their wisdom the founders recognized the truth that we are all “created equal and endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights” by which we live our lives and practice our faith, whether or in a higher power or ideals greater than ourselves. Stepping back to contemplate allows us to see the world around us, and the people entrusted to our leadership, in a more meaningful way. The philosphy a great leader should have is today is not so much an “independence from” mentality as it is a “responsibility toward” philosophy. We are not independant from our peers but rather, we have a responsibility towards them. Remember a leader cannot be a leader without followers. The difference between a “thoughtful leader” and a “wise leader” is this: Thoughtful leaders seek to be a blessing and to serve causes greater than self; wise ones remember the source.

The power of purpose: It was through persecution, hardships, and struggles whereby the Founders rallied and mutually pledged their “reliance on the protection of Divine Providence” in declaring our independence. The innumerable lessons our Founders taught us transcend political ideology and religious creed. The rally today is for leaders with purpose, backed by the power of their convictions, faith, and sacrifice, to make a difference in the world. Just as the Founders were men of clear purpose and mission, successful leadership today charts a clear course with the right women and men in place with the necessary tools to achieve their goals.

Proverbs 11:14 “For lack of guidance a nation falls,but victory is won through many advisers.” You see, where there is no leadership, the people will fall. But in “abundance of advisers” there is victory!” You guys are the “abundant advisers”. Each and everyone of you are leaders in your own way. It is up to us to step up and help shape the next generation or step down and let it fall!

     Those conclude my thoughts for the day! 🙂

 

Mission Trips

Ah yes, Mission Trips. An exciting event for almost every young Christian teen. I have been on 6 Mission Trips with in the last 5 years, most in country but with two out of country, the countries being Thailand and Niger respectively. This summer, I will be departing yet again for 6 weeks away from home to Niger (again) and also to the East Coast. I will be going with Christ In Action (see button below 🙂 ) to in country one. I will be partnering with Take the Challenge, a sub ministry under Mission China, for the Niger trip. So, even though I have just started this blog, I will already be taking a length break.

But that is okay because I know God is going to be doing awesome things in me, through me, and around me during those trips. Mission Trips have always been, while stressful at times, a period of relaxation from ordinary life where I can get out of my comfort zone and experience God afresh in a whole new atmosphere. I’m sure that if you have been on Mission Trips before you can testify to the life changing qualities and lessons learned.

This afternoon I had another pre-trip planning session which lasted about 3 hours or so. The preparation before the trip can be draining but also exhilarating! You are getting ready to be used as a tool for God to further His kingdom! What an honor! I hope to be able to post a few pictures when I get back. I do not know if I will have the chance to post much on this little, mundane, blog but who knows! 🙂

This brings to mind a Bible verse. “For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7 Sometimes stepping out of my comfort zone into the mission field can be scary and at times daunting. But God has not given me a spirit of fear but of boldness. Where I am weak, He makes me strong and He is glorified through me. I know I cannot serve Him fully in my own power. But with God at my side, who can come against me? An amazing thought huh…I am a child of God and because of the confidence I have in my salvation, I can be a bold witness to the nations!

Post Number One…

Hey everybody! Welcome to this little bit of cyberspace that I call my own! The purpose of this blog is not so much as a diary but a place for me to write my thoughts as they come to me. Though, considering how busy I have been lately, I haven’t had much time to think. I have thought about starting a blog before, within the last couple of years, but I never really got around to doing it. Probably because, like I stated earlier, I haven’t had time and the days kept ticking by and I never got around. But well, here we are today! So, this being my first post, I’m going to keep it short, sweet and simple. Just the way I like it. Hope you have a great day!