To be honest, I wasn't sure what God had planned for me out here in Ohio. I thought that I would work at this internship, get training for ministry, and get a job as a youth pastor with little to no complications. I was planning on learning some things, yeah, but nothing huge. Just ministry ideas, different strategies, etc. Man. Was I wrong. I think it has partly to do with me praying to be humbled, either way God is doing a number on my faith and making me walk my talk.
When I came out here to Ohio, I literally knew one person in my area. I knew him by email only for three months on a business level relationship. When I came out here to Intern I was for all reasonable purposes alone with no one and nothing. Rachel didn't even have the ability to make much contact since she is at a camp and has no time. Without going into more detail, I was and still am very alone out here in suburbia. What I didn't know at the time is what I believe God is trying to accomplish.
Relationships are my main source of resources, and if I have non I am at a loss. I believe that God has planned my situation to made me rely on Him with everything. Since I have no job, good friends, or other resources at my disposal I have to rely on God for even the events in a normal day. I don't have much choice in the matter. From my finite, human perspective, this is what I see God is trying to accomplish through my different situations that I am in out here in suburbia.
Lack of material resources is teaching me to trust God to provide in a very real way. From gas money for Chris and Jenn's wedding, or something small like lunch. God has came through in ways that I couldn't have even imagined nor even fully believe yet. I have had to rely on a Church body that doesn't know me, and ask for help when I normally would do it myself. It is a humbling thing to ask for help, especially when it is something simple like car problems
Having a lack of relationships has pushed me to seek Him completely for relational satisfaction. It is very easy for me to trust in God and friends for satisfaction, or Jesus and Rachel for my relationship needs. My current situation doesn't even allow for that option. I have had to look for my satisfaction completely in Christ alone. I spend far more time with my bible, praying, reading, and just spending time out in the woods thinking. I don't want to say I meet God in the woods, but when everything else is gone, it provides a time for clear thinking free from distractions where I am more able to think about and pray to God.
It is a crazy adventure to trust God through these events over the last few weeks. I am surely not done learning what God would like me to learn from this. I know that I haven't even done justice explaining what I have learned so far. It has been like spiritual boot-camp for me out here. I am getting hammered - in a good way - in all areas of my life so that I will begin to truly trust in God and give up areas in my life that I didn't even realize I was holding onto. It is a strange thing to trust in the living God when I am totally alone.
Blessings
Later
Simply a pilgrim, looking for that city whose builder and maker is God, who enjoys bringing others along on the journey.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Life as an Intern - week 5
It is hard to believe that it has already been 5 weeks since I arrived out here. I feel like I just left PA not more than a week or two ago. Yet here I am, fending for myself out in this crazy place called Ohio. Granted it has some nice parts, but I would rather be lost in the woods. People are so stressed out here, and everyone is in a hurry to go no where. Also, a lot of younger people spend their money on things that I would deem unimportant, or useless. It is a strange culture out here in Ohio, but I suppose someone has to live here. As for ministry, boy do people need Jesus (Just kidding, but seriously).
One of the biggest things that I am facing now is being alone. I know I have people around me all the time and I would in a office with other people, but I still don't have any close friends or people to hang out with regularly. It is still very possible for me to spend the weekend alone - especially since kyle is gone most weekends. I am alone, but not lonely. There is a difference.
I heard something the other day that made a take comfort in being alone. A preacher said that Christ spent a lot of time being alone. He was rejected and always on the move. I am sure that he felt alone even with people around. And I am supposed to follow Christ, which means that I might spend sometime alone.
I suppose that is all I have to update about this week. Not a whole lot is going on right now. But I sure wish there would be another intern out here with me. Make the time go by faster if anything.
Blessings
Later
One of the biggest things that I am facing now is being alone. I know I have people around me all the time and I would in a office with other people, but I still don't have any close friends or people to hang out with regularly. It is still very possible for me to spend the weekend alone - especially since kyle is gone most weekends. I am alone, but not lonely. There is a difference.
I heard something the other day that made a take comfort in being alone. A preacher said that Christ spent a lot of time being alone. He was rejected and always on the move. I am sure that he felt alone even with people around. And I am supposed to follow Christ, which means that I might spend sometime alone.
I suppose that is all I have to update about this week. Not a whole lot is going on right now. But I sure wish there would be another intern out here with me. Make the time go by faster if anything.
Blessings
Later
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Bike Trip
This picture was taken while I was riding my bike on the way back up from peninsula OH during our youth group bike trip. What a ride! I am covered in mud right now.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Treasure hunting
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
For all the men out there
I don't agree with everything that this guy says, but it was worth the read and gave me something to consider for sure. I dare you to read it and consider it yourself.
http://www.danoah.com/2010/10/worthless-women-and-men-who-make-them.html#idc-cover
Blessings
Later
http://www.danoah.com/2010/10/worthless-women-and-men-who-make-them.html#idc-cover
Blessings
Later
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Life as an Intern - week 4
Each new week has brought new challenges, and I have not been prepared for them in the least. Now, unmet challenges are compounding on each other and I am getting in over my head. Dealing with unemployment, new environment without friends, first time in ministry, and who knows what will come next. I pray that God would prepare me enough to face the trials that come my way.
Rick and I had a very important conversation on Thursday. He explained why I sat at my desk planning all kinds of events and lessons and wasn't doing something else. "Relationships" he said. That is why we plan and organize everything we do, so that relationships can happen in a seemingly natural way. My job, from my new understanding, is to program events and situations in such a way that our leaders can walk in and have meaningful relationships with students. Everything from how the couch is positioned to what we speak on each day. The goal is people's growth through relationships.
Once I understood this everything else clicked into place. I suddenly have purpose to this "task" that I have been given. I see why we had certain elements of ministry that I would otherwise think unimportant in light of this truth about ministry. It is no long just task, but opportunities to position people so that they can have great relationships with students and each other, building together until we all attain unity and godliness.
I met with my new "life group" for the first time. a life group is basically a small group of people that meet somewhere once or more a week and share life together. My group of people are all new, either to the group or to the area. We are starting fresh. When we met everyone didn't really know what to do, no one knew each other. We finally played a dice game until we were more comfortable with each other. Everyone there desires community and friends, but that takes time. There was a lot of excitement about meeting new people, and I look forward to making new friends within the group. I am sure that you will hear more about my life group in future post.
An old friend of mine from college is visiting today. We're going out to lunch and might hang out for a bit. I have not seen or heard from him in roughly 2 years, I am excited to see what God has done with his life and where he is going to lead him.
Father's day is Sunday. Every year is different. I never know what to expect. Two years ago I got Dad a bike and he loved it. He never rode it, but he love it just the same. Last year I think I go him a card with super-man on it. He enjoyed that as well. This year I nearly forgot until a day or two ago. I still don't know what I am going to get him though. I am likely to just write him a letter about how cool I think he is. I wish I had planned more for this. He his hurting so much from everything going on at home, days like these can either go great or horrible depending on who calls or what is happening. I hope that I can make it a good day for him. Not that I want to be known for making it a great day, but because I think it will be good for him to receive appreciation for once in a while. I guess while find out how it goes on Sunday. Happy father's day y'all.
Blessings
Later
Rick and I had a very important conversation on Thursday. He explained why I sat at my desk planning all kinds of events and lessons and wasn't doing something else. "Relationships" he said. That is why we plan and organize everything we do, so that relationships can happen in a seemingly natural way. My job, from my new understanding, is to program events and situations in such a way that our leaders can walk in and have meaningful relationships with students. Everything from how the couch is positioned to what we speak on each day. The goal is people's growth through relationships.
Once I understood this everything else clicked into place. I suddenly have purpose to this "task" that I have been given. I see why we had certain elements of ministry that I would otherwise think unimportant in light of this truth about ministry. It is no long just task, but opportunities to position people so that they can have great relationships with students and each other, building together until we all attain unity and godliness.
I met with my new "life group" for the first time. a life group is basically a small group of people that meet somewhere once or more a week and share life together. My group of people are all new, either to the group or to the area. We are starting fresh. When we met everyone didn't really know what to do, no one knew each other. We finally played a dice game until we were more comfortable with each other. Everyone there desires community and friends, but that takes time. There was a lot of excitement about meeting new people, and I look forward to making new friends within the group. I am sure that you will hear more about my life group in future post.
An old friend of mine from college is visiting today. We're going out to lunch and might hang out for a bit. I have not seen or heard from him in roughly 2 years, I am excited to see what God has done with his life and where he is going to lead him.
Father's day is Sunday. Every year is different. I never know what to expect. Two years ago I got Dad a bike and he loved it. He never rode it, but he love it just the same. Last year I think I go him a card with super-man on it. He enjoyed that as well. This year I nearly forgot until a day or two ago. I still don't know what I am going to get him though. I am likely to just write him a letter about how cool I think he is. I wish I had planned more for this. He his hurting so much from everything going on at home, days like these can either go great or horrible depending on who calls or what is happening. I hope that I can make it a good day for him. Not that I want to be known for making it a great day, but because I think it will be good for him to receive appreciation for once in a while. I guess while find out how it goes on Sunday. Happy father's day y'all.
Blessings
Later
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