It’s good to have You first again

The title…it’s me praising God for His patience with me and revealing to me areas of my life that need(ed) surrendering

Wow…I’ve been in a bit of a quietness in many aspects of my life and my walk with God. The last note I wrote, was heavy on my heart and what was and still is going on in my life about Service….God is continuing to gut check me in this and others as well.

I’ve had some pretty nasty valleys that God has brought me through once I surrendered those areas over to Him and allowed Him to take care of things…don’t get me wrong, I’m still struggling with some things, all in part due to my pride (noooooooooo… really?!?! ), but God has been revealing so much to me that it is overwhelming and it’s reminded me of why I am able to forgive, why I show mercy and grace but most importantly why I love people, even those who truly hate me for being a Christian and the truths I have shared of what God has done in my life.

God’s got a pretty big step in mind for me, and that day is drawing near, and no…it’s not me moving, leaving my job and going into the mission field now…it’s something that has been long overdue, but my heart still has some areas that aren’t right…the thoughts still turn negative and away from my own personal sin, as there need to ask for forgiveness, and it comes back to “this happened to me and you caused it, or you said this and I question you”…continue to pray that God reveal those things and what my own personal sins/faults are in those areas. It’s going to take time, and I’m, willing to wait because I know something great has already happened because of these things and even more wonderful things are going to happen…God’s sovereign will, growth in a way that He can use me to help others and refocus.

God has not really lead me to a lot of writing, mostly because a lot of my thoughts have not been encouraging and they would have been very “do as I say, not as I do” type talk and I don’t want to be that way. If I’m neglecting my time in Gods Word for the things of this world (which includes family, friends, school, soccer, work, small group, youth for me), I’m going to be straightforward and open – no hesitation. The brunt of my desire and focus are back where they belong… on my Savior, my Father and my best Friend (the bestest Friend I could have, who will ALWAYS be beside me wherever I am).

God’s been changing my life even when I’ve been distant from Him…yes, it’s never He who is distant from us, but we are distant from Him….He is always there, we choose everything else above Him and decide to neglect Him.

As you may have seen mentioned above, God has called me back to school….woo hoo!!! I am attending Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary this fall, taking two (2) courses online: Hermeneutics and an Old Testament – Pentateuch & Historical books class, which are absolute awesomeness right now. This is God and His leading me and teaching me. Funniest thing is I am still waiting for the Old Testament book to arrive, but if it doesn’t God is going to be glorified and God’s got something greater in store for next week – which I have a quiz for both classes due by Friday the 3rd . I took my first quiz tonight (Friday, August 27, 2010) in my Hermeneutics class and got a 96! Pretty stoked on it. They are open notes/books, but I am trying not to treat it that way; I am trying to look at them as closed book when I read, which is why it takes me 6 hrs to read 70 pgs – I wanna take my time reading & making notes as I learn more about my Savior and His wonderful message from the origins to His coming again! I’m not going to turn away from the professor’s graciousness either though, I’m using my notes to do a final check before submission and if I am totally stumped on a question or really unsure I’ll look it up. I will say this you def have to have read the material and know exactly where the context of the reading is for these questions and you’ve only got 20 minutes for like 13-15 questions. It’s just an amazing time to spend with the Lord and reading so much information I didn’t know about God’ Word in the historical aspects of the first English Bible being written to the Apocrypha (so far).

The initial intention was to take the bare minimum to get my missions certificate (21 hours, which is the equivalent to 7 courses) to be eligible for the IMB, but there’s been a bit of a change in my heart. I’m not sure in what direction, but I am really thinking of pursuing a full MDiv. This is a new prayer God lay on my heart – possibly Biblical Counseling, maybe church planting, only God’s timing and voice will tell…I just know I’m keeping my heart open to whatever God is calling me to.

Being back in school has already brought discipline back into my life. My perspective of school and the work and reading is such a different standpoint. I was a complainer and I still am at times, but school it’s not a complaint….I’m able to view it as worship….what a privilege it is that God has called me Seminary and has provided for it financially and time-wise taking online courses. This is the chance I’ve talked about, making school count as I would say when I was an unbeliever; now, I want to glorify God in my work and I look forward to everything that is required of me from the one page paper to the 10 page paper.

God has also opened a door at my church to oversee the SOLID Missions, and to be the “Mission Outreach Coordinator”…kinda falls in line with the calling on my heart wouldn’t you say With that being said, God has placed on my heart a new area of service. Along with helping to teach the youth, I have had a passion begin to grow even more to see our community reached. God has called me to lead the SOLID Outreach for the youth ministry. This is a new endeavor in my walk, as I have always been the “behind the scenes” person. I’d like to share with you what this ministry entails. The intention of this ministry is twofold: 1) To serve all people, especially the body of Christ, and 2) To make Christ known.

The objective of this ministry stems from two primary verses:

“So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.” – Galatians 6:10

“…’to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.’”- Acts 26:18

With the intention of this ministry (SOLID Outreach) in mind, an acronym is being used to represent its purpose: S.O.L.I.D. – Servants of Light Illuminating Darkness. Therefore, the mission of this ministry is to encourage (& provide opportunities for) God’s people to be servants of Jesus Christ, serving His people and serving the world, making Christ known to all. Right now, we are doing this as a youth outreach every 2nd Saturday of each month from 9-1pm (we break for lunch around 12ish depending on where we are serving).

As you see, this ministry is not just an opportunity for our youth, it is for us all. The vision I pray about shows this becoming our church family outreach, not just the youth. I invite you all to come alongside them as you did last month, you may not realize what impact you had on these youth. For me, I was so encouraged to see our church family come together as not just youth SOLID, but church SOLID. Each month will vary and you may not be called to participate; but as we are reminded every Sunday and Wednesday when we leave our church parking lot, “You are now entering your mission field”. My prayers are that this becomes bigger than just the youth; may it become something we do as a family and continues in our daily lives

IT may not seem like a lot is going on, but God has me involved with two (2) small groups at this time, one of which my last night will be this Monday, playing soccer on Sundays, working full-time 8-5..I personally thought, no way God…no way I can do it….but yes God, I will do it and He’s provided my with the discipline and time. Because of great advice from my Pastor, it has been possible. I was going to try to take three (3) classes…so glad I didn’t…this is going to be PLENTY!

It’s great to be back….there are a few things i hope to get down in here in regards to the study I am wrapping up on “Conversation Peace” by Mary Kassain…wow..I mean WOW! Makes me evaluate a lot of this

God bless you all

Please continue to pray for the following people:

Phil Ortego
Sterling Davis
Victoria Smith
Bill and Betsy Guthrie
Zimmerman family
Sarah Rivenbark
Ed McKeown and family
International and North American missionaries who are serving in their mission fields
Those who don’t know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and have a relationship with Him
All brothers and sisters in Christ and boldness to share the free gift of Salvation with anyone who will listen and even those who may not really listen…let us show the Love of Christ

Love you all and if I can pray for you, help you or answer any questions you may have, please don’t hesitate to contact me

God bless you all and may you shine the light of Jesus Christ!

Sterling Davis Prayer Request

I do not know this young child, but received a prayer request via Twitter to pray for this child’s surgery and further recovery. This is the historical info I am aware of: Sterling was diagnosed on 10/2/09 with a 1″ tumor in his brain. Had surgery on 10/13 and removed 80% of tumor. Pathology reported it to be a benign PXA grade 2. He turned 5 on 10/27/09.

Please see the link below to read about this little boy and their family who are trusting in God through all of this.

http://sterlingdavis.wordpress.com

Prayer for Phil Ortego

Hi internet friends and visitors.

I would like to ask that you lift Phil Ortego up in prayer as his health has declined due to a suspected virus picked up on a Mission Trip. Please lift Pastor Phil Ortego and Scotts Hill Baptist Church up in prayer. Please pray that God will restore Pastor Phil to perfect health! You may contact him with encouragement at prayforphil@scottshill.org

Thanks

GSM Soccer Institute in Guatemala

This is an email from the President of Global Soccer Ministries…God is doing something to show Himself in Guatemala City and to His disciples who are currently planted in Guatemala City with GSM, as well as those who are in prayer with this missionary organization. Continue to pray for God’s will be done.

In Christ
Shea

I’ve included an article about GSM Jamaica as well. Enjoy and please join in prayer with this ministry

Our prayer is that we hope this quick note and attachments reach you making you aware of our Soccer Facility project in Guatemala and what’s happening in Jamaica in the days ahead.

The soccer facility in Guatemala seems as though it will be a reality and it’s all being planned and orchestrated by the Lord. God’s given us the land and the money from a USA foundation the build the likeness of what you see on the PDF attachment. We will be working with Joe O’Connor who operates www.csdcouncil.org for our Astro Turf and local contractor in Guatemala for our offices and other buildings to operate GSM Guatemala.

God willing we could be starting this late fall.

Also we will be partnering with Harbor View FC in Jamaica in the development of a GSM/HVFC youth academy. We have increased our staff in Jamaica from our Football Director Baris Johnson to two more. Assistant Coaching Director Gregory Hall and Director of Development Curven Whyte. More about both later.

This September 7-19 we are having the Charlotte Eagles USL Pro team on a tour in Jamaica. Please see attached.


Please note our Guatemala newsletter. Our Director John, his wife and a three kids are now in the USA for 30 days visiting supporting churches, raising money and spending time with their family after being in Guatemala for over 2.5 years.

As you may know we’ve had several team visit Jamaica last and this year and more to come. In Guatemala we’ve been focusing on church and youth groups. Lastly, click on this link for further information about of Guatemala Soccer Tours. This has been developed by one our new staff members Miguel Vielman who is I met on a visit to Guatemala last May. He’s a licensed coach and will be help direct what’s happening in Guatemala.

http://www.gsmsoccertours.blogspot.com/

Best wishes and Lord bless.

Paul

Service

I posted this once before…but really after a short fast, man this is burning inside of me in regards to holding accountability in service and in speaking of service with a true servant’s heart, well having a heart to serve period. You may say to me, who are you to judge someone’s serving…I’ve taken a long hard look at the Sequoia tree in my eye, so to point out a speck in someone else – I’m not trying to in this instance…this is a focus on the Sequoia tree in my own eye…I’m trying to put this into Biblical perspective. If, when you serve, your words don’t match your actions…people will question why you are there, why are you serving are we not to go to them and discuss it, this has happened to me. This is my experience, this is God saying, guess what….you’re not serving for Me!

Addition: I’ll probably fall again in service….but this is my reminder to not be hypocritical, to keep focused and grow to be more Christ-like
‎**Let me add this, I’m not the perfect server, I’m not a perfect person, I’ve failed many times over and over and I’m still failing now and have to face a HUGE piece of my pride knowing I’ve treated my brothers and sisters in Christ horribly and still am in some aspects, and it’s taking time, a lot of time and God has shown I have to resolve them, …as hard as it is to do, I have to – it’s what love is, I do love those I hurt, I would die for them, though my actions have not shown it, I stick up for them, whether they know it, but I dislike who I allowed myself to become in certain areas, and in service was one….I struggle understanding God’s will in many areas of my life because it’s not what I (notice I) expect or even thought I wanted, this is a post on what God has shown to me and questions I’ve asked myself. ** I’m not proud of the things I’ve done, but I am proud of what God has done through them in my life. I’m in a place right now that reminded me of those I wronged who are my brothers and sisters in Christ, and I know what I have to do, God commands it…these are people I serve and have served alongside. This blog is me opening my life as Paul did, where I have fallen well short and continue to fall short, but we are to grow from them and I am, 32 but acting as immature as a 10 year old – I know it. Thanks for viewing, I wanted to remind others, this is a huge part of my life, and I know God wants my heart right, and I challenge you to keep your own heart right. I don’t always submit all service to prayer, I will help anyone in need in an instant, but given time where I am unsure of the situation, I want to pray about it….but I will always help someone in a needed situation**

I’ve been burdened with this thought, in my life, as well as in the lives of the people around me and those I mentor: Service. I can only write this because of God’s grace and mercy in my life, He changed me and is constantly changing me into a woman He wants me to be for His Kingdom. I will never be complete until the day of Jesus Christ

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).

When Jesus Christ takes His rightful place as Lord of our lives, His lordship will be shown in how we serve others
“Sitting down, He called the twelve and said to them, “If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” – Mark 9:35

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good (B)stewards of the manifold grace of God.” – 1 Peter 4:10

“This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” – John 15:12-13.

How can we demonstrate love for God? Our love for God will be expressed in our love for others. “For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake” (2 Corinthians 4:5).

I will be up front…I don’t know what is going to come of this…the thoughts running through my head and heart are many, it could start one way, and end another. I am not an organized writer, sometimes I don’t even know what I write, so expect this WILL be all over the place, per the norm!:)

This was started a few weeks back and has finally overtaken my mind and heart and I need to get the thoughts down, and it’s late at night, as usual, He uses me in the early hours….why is it we wait until the flood is breaking down the dam to be obedient and listen to what we were supposed to do in the first place.

I think back to when I came to the Lord and my “service” in Christian Surfers. I put service in quotes for a good reason, would I call it service for God’s Kingdom? No, I wouldn’t. I reflected many times in this aspect of my walk also. In the times of service with Christian Surfers, honestly, I looked upon it as a chance to have that label, that “Christian” label. I was in no way trying to further God’s Kingdom, I honestly was in it for myself, to be known as “that girl who bodyboards and is in Christian Surfers” – I would get upset if someone didn’t recognize me for something I did (I’d smile and say thanks, but there was not thought that God had any part in it), I invited cute guys to come in hopes of getting to know them and maybe date, the list could go further, yeah, service for the wrong reason. I can say I avoided sharing God’s Word at all costs with Christian Surfers because I wasn’t really walking with Him, I just said “I’m a Christian”. This went on for 2-3 years….I just wanted that label, I enjoyed the constant pats on the back, I enjoyed pointing out others faults because it made me look better – there were many times I would tell the leader about their lateness and not in private in front of everyone, I did it to make me look like I should be the leader and I regret it in so many ways. I definitely didn’t know the true meaning of serving, and God humbled me by stripping what brought me to Him, away from me because the service in bodyboarding and bodyboarding itself was still all about me. I reunited with a young man who is someone I hold dear to my heart and has a piece of my heart as many friends do, and is a great brother in Christ and friend in my life. God used him to bring me to a church where I hesitated about going. After surrendering this to the Lord, I returned to this church and yearned to serve within this church. Being part of a church family and not just go through the motions as I was at my home church, which was very easy to get lost in. I began to feel what it meant to love others without expecting anything in return, none of these people knew me, knew my history, my walk, well one person did, but other than that, I was a “stranger” in this church yet, the transition was as if I had been there for years. He placed a calling on my life at this church with youth and to come alongside my brother in Christ and work with the young ladies of this church. My heart is heavy in every aspect for this church and the area this church is located in. I give glory to my Lord and Savior who changed my heart and is removing the selfish pride, slowly but surely. I know it will always be there though, because I will not be completed until the day of Jesus Christ (“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” – Phil 1:6)

I just started writing some of these things out about things I have observed in my life (most of the negative have happen as well as others related to service – where I have been and where I am and where God is taking me – these are obviously positive and negative aspects of choices in serving and not serving.

- I serve because I love God
- I serve because God calls me to
- I serve because I love people and get fulfillment in their happiness
- I serve because I want to see God glorified
- I serve to further God’s Kingdom
- I serve to help further others in their walk with God
- I serve to help others build their gifts
- I serve because I want to grow with those serving around me
- I serve because someone I like is going to be there and I want to be able to spend time with them and get close to them because THEY serve
- I serve because I want to be seen so I can hear that “atta girl/boy”
- I serve because I will probably get something free out of it (food, things, etc)
- I serve because it’s something to put on my college application
- I serve because I want to impress the person I like
- I serve because my friend/girlfriend/boyfriend asks me to do it
- I serve because I feel guilty about saying no to someone
- I serve because my parents want me to do it, or make me do it.
- I serve because I’m expected to do it
- I serve because it is hard and out of my comfort zone
- I serve because I want to grow in my relationship with Christ
- I serve because that’s what someone else wants me to do
- I serve because I want control over people (power, things to be done my way and my way is the ONLY way)
- I serve in prayer (because I am called to since I can’t physically serve)

- I don’t serve because I don’t get any fulfillment from it
- I don’t serve because certain people won’t be there
- I don’t serve because I don’t get recognized for the hard work I put in
- I don’t serve because it’s hard
- I don’t serve because I’m too busy doing things for myself
- I don’t serve because I don’t have time for it
- I don’t serve because I don’t want to look stupid doing something I don’t know how to do
- I don’t serve because I’m not called to serve and it’s not my gift.
- I don’t serve because I’m too sore (this is not like a TRUE injury soreness – those medically unable to it does happen)
- I don’t serve because I’m too tired
- I don’t serve because certain people will be there (people we may not like)
- I don’t serve because the I don’t like the person who asked me to do it
- I don’t serve because none of my friends will be there

I know this isn’t an entire list of why service takes place or why it doesn’t, but as of lately I see them. Are we genuinely focused on the happiness and well-being of others, are we spending time fellow-shipping with the people we are serving, wait….I don’t just mean our family, my “clique” within the church and people our own age or the pastors and deacons and their families or those we’re “Comfortable around”? Ohhhhhh did I hit a nerve, God hit this nerve with me – yeah slap in the face, spank on the bottom, name it that’s what it feels like! We do it and say we don’t know it, but we do it intentionally on occasion….we’re afraid to step out of our little “bubble” – that’s me…all over it – I’ll probably do it again, I pray that I recognize it from God and step back, or I take account my own actions, which is hard to admit and many times, I don’t!
(This section was edited because people may have taken some things the wrong way – and I apologize if it was….I’m a people watcher….I am intrigued by people – Christ-followers and non-believers: why they move certain places, why they do some things, why they don’t do things, why they go places – whether it be in service, eating at a restaurant, at the movies, etc…., it is a way of learning about how different people are – not trying to judge them or be “holier than thou” because guess what…I’m not good and I’m not anyone else but me – I APPRECIATE my friends who directly contacted me, I totally see your perspective and understand….I hope and pray this brings the focus back towards what God is saying specifically what He spoke to me….no one else…BUT He could be speaking to you now)

I pray that in God’s calling of my service to Him, I do not cause someone to stumble or hinder them and unfortunately, I know I have

When it comes to the “light” stuff (dishes, cutting things, drawing, coloring, decorating, sweeping, etc) we’re all over it, but when it comes to the “hard”/physical/sweaty stuff (moving a table with someone, moving chairs, cleaning toilets, taking out trash, etc), we don’t want any part of it (we’re above that, or “too weak”), many times as females that is, some guys too. Been there done that, I would take the easy route, play the “girlie” card and would sit around watching others do the hard stuff….I look back and thought, laziness – that was MY LAZINESS. Someone else may be hurt, or unable to actually lift heavy things. I was fully capable to do it, my arms worked, my legs worked, I just didn’t want to do something that required exercise because I had a hard day at work, or was sore from a game. When we serve, we do it joyfully and go through whatever it is that happens while we serve…..we don’t complain and say…man “I wish these people would leave, it’s past my bedtime and I need to go home I gotta drive a ways”, “I wish I was at the beach, this is not fun for me,” “How much longer is this going to go on?” – we need to question why we are really there? We’re not required to stick around, we’re not REQUIRED to be anywhere, unless God has called you to. Do you want to know how many times I’ve said those things…you don’t want to know because it’s a large amount…but looking back man….who was I to even say that…I can make it through the fun part, but to stay and fellowship afterwards…that’s unheard of!

I just want you to think about your intentions when you serve an almighty God. Do you really feel God calling you to a certain aspect of service or it is just to do it to impress someone or make yourself look good or because you have guilt that you are with so and so and if you don’t serve then I look bad? Are you being challenged or growing through this service? Are you praying about the area you serve?

As you think about this, ask God to give you a heart to serve your brothers and sisters in Christ, but also serve those who are lost, serve your enemies (those you may have issues with)

What drives you (your motives) in service?

Are you going through the motions?

Do you have to be encouraged to serve?

How are you serving your enemies/people you don’t like for some reason or another?

How are you serving those who are lost?

Are you sharing your faith in service to those who are lost?

Do I still have times of going through the motion of service, I have, but conviction comes in a mighty way on my heart, and I can only boast in the fact that God has changed my heart.

Are you willing to be a “door mat” for the kingdom of God?

“Once we realize that Jesus has served us even to the depths of our meagreness, our selfishness, and our sin, nothing we encounter from others will be able to exhaust our determination to serve others for His sake.” Oswald Chambers

This is personal for me:
Something God revealed to me, in who I am serving with, for His Kingdom. I was reminded that what I expected in my heart have been met by one or two wonderful friends and brothers in Christ, actually met and gone above and beyond expectations, the bar has been raised; God has opened my heart up in a way that it never has been, and says he will be better than this!? It is so hard to even imagine, but patiently waiting for His call! This level of service I’ve never experienced.

In the love of serving, I also have a clearer understanding of how to serve WITH someone for the Kingdom of God, how to aid them in their leadership, what it does mean to submit in some areas to someone else, to enjoy seeing their faults (this not meaning you WANT to see them stumble but it’s a way to help encourage them in a way of growth in that area) – how to challenge someone, so much has been learned and is continuing to be learned in service. I am still learning about saying “No” when it comes to serving, I do struggle with it, but I get caught up with serving in so many areas, I do get burnt out, it has happened before and it can easily happen again. Praise God for wisdom and discernment!

Whatever my future in God’s Kingdom holds, I know that it will be service focused – full-time missions work around the world, in the states, whether it be planting a church with my future beloved, being a pastor’s wife, being a stay at home mom, etc, we will be driven by our hearts to serve this world, even if they hate us.

If you say you’re not called to ministry, then I say you are wrong:
Serving others is a very important aspect of ministry. All believers of Christ are called to ministry (Matthew 28:18-20) and therefore, we are all called to be servants for the glory of God.

Praise and glory be to God who continues to work in my life and to complete surrender to Him. I will always struggle, but have peace in knowing He has already overcome it and knew what I was going to go through before it happened gives me comfort. Will it be tough still, yes, it will. My walk and relationship with God has never been easy, it’ll never be perfect, I’ll still have questions about the “whys” but I try not to dwell on them, it is because I know His will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.

Stop trying to impress man and even yet, stop trying to impress God with your service.

Your works and “being a good person” don’t get you into Heaven – and if you would like to discuss this comment feel free to email me directly: cheekygirlshea at gmail dot com.

Good night my friends and many blessings and sweet rest in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Shea

Barlow-Vista Baptist Church Youth – PowerPlant 2010 – Spartanburg, SC

Good evening church family

I wanted to let everyone know we made it in yesterday around 2:30pm – probably would have been sooner if not for the scenic route that MapQuest took us on

As you know there are six ( 6 ) of us, including two (2) leaders, Chris L and myself, at PowerPlant in Spartanburg, SC.

The church we are living at for the week is Rocky Creek Baptist Church – please lift these precious people up in prayer as well as their church facility.

The church we are working with is Kaleidoscope Multi-Ethnic Fellowship and the church plant team are as follows: Derrick and Meghan Smith; Buzz Powers; Eddie and Jeanne Bennett; Gregorio and Isabel Castillo; Ricky and Sabrina Eason; Jim and Nancy Goodroe. Please pray for this wonderful team, although we have only met Derrick and Meghan, we’re looking forward to meeting the others and seeing God work this week and in the years to come.

Something really cool about this week. Though you are not here with us, PowerPlant has provided a way for you, the church family, to encourage the workers from our church and of others here! The following link will allow you to send what is called a PowerGram to our students and leaders throughout the week (up until 9pm Thursday night). http://blogs.power-plant.net/2010/send-a-powergram-5/

Because of the size of our group, we are working alongside another small grouped church- First Calvary Baptist Church of Leesville, SC.

The participants in our group that are coming alongside Kaleidoscope are (this will include First Calvary Baptist):

Rachel S
Cheyenne W
Brett R
Jonathan D
Shea Lindon
Chris L
Mitch E (First Calvary Baptist Church of Leesville, SC)
Colby M (First Calvary Baptist Church of Leesville, SC)
Samanta (First Calvary Baptist Church of Leesville, SC)
Julianna (First Calvary Baptist Church of Leesville, SC)
Anna Marie (First Calvary Baptist Church of Leesville, SC)

This link is another way to see what’s happening while we are here of photos, which you’ll probably get to see before we do, how cool is that.
http://blogs.power-plant.net/category/2010/greenvillespartanburg-sc2010/

Today, Monday 22Jun10, a couple of definite things we did

• Yard work for a sister in Christ with 4 children, who is of Mexican descent her name is Regina [pronounced Rehina]
• Cleaning of a gas station that is run by a non-believer, who is Hindu, by the name of Salil

Please pray for everyone here, not just our group, as the temperatures will be pushing 100 degrees with high heat indexes and many of us will be working outside.

We will try our best to keep you all updated throughout the week, but at the same time, leave a few things so we can share when we get back. Tomorrow night will be the concert of prayer and we will be giving the offering that was collected during VBS! Thank you all!

It has been a blessing already and God is already moving in the hearts of our youth and leaders. We want brokenness in each of us this week and continued when we return to be burdened for our communities, schools, friends and families.

We love you all!

In Christ,

Shea Lindon

2 Timothy 1:8-9
“Therefore, do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share in the suffering for the Gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works, but because of His own purpose and grace which He gave to us in Christ Jesus before the ages began”

Ephesians 2:8-9
“For it is by grace you have been saved through faith – and this is not from yourselves, but it is the gift from God, not by works so that no one can boast.”

http://www.barlowvista.org
http://www.GSMGuatemala.com
http://savedandcalledtoaholycalling.wordpress.com/

We live like we are confined to a wheelchair

Most of us are not confined to a wheelchair/bed/diseases per say, but we sure do live like it! We tell ourselves we can’t do it. We are stuck in our homes, we like our comfortable places, we stay in our “safe zones.” We are selfish beings, I’ve got my hand raised just like you do. Most of the times we think we’re not capable of doing something or that someone else will do it for us…..man think about it…we do and there are people who are in these situations and have to live like this, but they try NOT to. We have been set free of the chains of sin when we come to know who Jesus Christ is, what He has done and that He wants us to be with Him, but we still have these other chains that hold us down that stop us from doing what God has called us to – have a relationship with Him first and foremost, but to share the Gospel with all who don’t know Him.

Are you living a confined life or are you living a life that is free and believe you can doing ANYTHING? What are you confined to? Are you living in your little “safe zone” just trying to get through a certain “stage” in your life.

This video is another great reminder that God has an amazing plan for each and every person He created. We were created for His purpose and once we come to know Him and accept Him as our Lord and Savior, we find out what that purpose is. It’s not about bartering with God, it’s not about being a good person all the time (because we usually do this for our own self gratification, it makes US feel good about doing something good and makes US look good), our lives are meant to be lived so that God is glorified, not us.

Some will look at this video and say “I feel sorry for him” but the thing is, we shouldn’t. Look at what God is doing through this young man, a walking testimony of what God can do and what God’s children can do. It’s so cliche of us to say Philippians 4:13, when most of the time we DON’T believe it in some situations. I know I personally say “I can’t do that” and then I see Christopher and say to myself, what am I afraid of, because when we think we can’t do something it is out of some kind of fear – looking bad, looking silly, not doing it right, etc. Let us live the intentional life God made for us, have a relationship with Him, to live for Him, share the gift of salvation and listen to His call on our lives.

There are many who are confined to a wheelchair or some kind of “disability”, but many of them try to live their lives as if they are not, and for me…that says so much, especially those I can call brothers and sisters in Christ. They don’t let something like their wheelchair or disability get in the way of sharing the message of Christ.

Video from Godtube
Christopher Coleman video

Here is a link to his personal site
Christopher Coleman

Don’t live a confined life!

Guatemala 31May10 – 14Jun10 – God closes the doors (for this trip)

Wow….what a week…from getting ready to leave for Guatemala on Monday, May 31 to God breaking me down to my face due to resentment in my heart to lack of sleep due to working on Chris’ graduation present for his “surprise” graduation party Saturday 28May10. I say “surprise” because he knew something was up, he’s just nice enough to go along with it to let his momma think she’s surprising him.

By the way, this is a long entry and I do mean LONG for those with a short attention span, you may want to print it out

At this time, I reiterate prayer for Guatemala City as they are in a “state of emergency” because of the volcano and the tropical storm. Please continue to lift up Paul Banta (the man who God has put in charge overseeing Global Soccer Ministries), John and Amy Banta with Hope, Titus and Luke (the family I would have been staying with again), Danilo and Osmar and their families as well as all of the coaches for GSM, Caitlin Williams (the intern I was to travel with) as she travels to Gautemala and Haiti this summer and God’s will and direction for her. Please pray for those who they come in contact with and that they continue to be intentional in sharing who Jesus Christ is and pray this for myself as well to continue to be intentional in sharing God and to quit making excuses.

Links below about the volcano and tropical storm

http://www.accuweather.com/blogs/news/story/32115/pacaya-volcano-and-tropical-de.asp

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gy3HNElIe-JK3-e0viQ5xTikpgzg

So I was driving home Saturday night and had full intentions of going to Salt Shaker to get some silly bands to take down with me to Guatemala, but God veered me into going home. So, it’s 6pm EST and I get a phone call from a number I don’t recognize, so I decide to answer it and it was Caitlin, the other intern going on the trip and she was letting me know that the flights into Guatemala City, Guatemala have been canceled for Monday, May 31, and she wanted to know what my plans were. My first thought was, God is shutting the door to this trip. I told her I had no clue and I would need to make some phone calls to Paul and the airlines to see what was up.

I decide to first call Paul to see what he has heard and he had no heard of anything and suggest I call the airlines to see what is going on. I would end up calling them three (3) times over a two (2) hour period. The first call I was checking to see if they for certain had been canceled and what my options were. Thee first woman confirmed, the flights were canceled and all flights on Tuesday were already booked, but Wednesday there were available flights. I hung up and emailed Paul about the flight issue. Cool thing based on all of this is that Paul, Caitlin and I would be arriving in Guatemala right around the same time on Wednesday. I called back to find out my options about my flights, how to switch, my costs, etc. Phone call #2 – this one lasts a long time and is a very trying call with my emotions. Long short of it all, the earliest flight I could take with no charge to any of my legs on my flights would have been Saturday, if I wanted to get on all flights for Wednesday it was going to run $300-$400.00, not feasible (seeing this I should have known at this point, God was shutting a door, but as bad as I wanted to be out serving on this trip by sharing God with the lost, my flesh pushed on). I called Paul at a loss as to what to do and my dilemma and he threw out an awesome idea, take my flight to Miami on Monday, stay there two nights and pick up the flight to Guatemala on Wednesday. Wow, how GREAT did this sound and it sounds like it would work and it was very feasible. I called the airlines back and spoke to Frankie (this was the first time I wrote down the name of the person I spoke with or even asked for that matter). I again stated “I’m aware that all flights going into Guatemala City have been canceled on Monday, May 31, and I tell him what I would like to do, he goes away and comes back and states “all flights into Guatemala City have not been canceled, who told you they were?” I informed him two different agents told me this. I asked him to check anyways about TACA waiving the fees for the Monday flight in order to pick up the flight Wednesday. He came back and said they would but suggested I call back on Sunday afternoon to confirm the flight information. During this time of being on the phone, I had sent a text message to a friend and mentioned I probably wouldn’t be flying out until Wednesday (this was during the 2nd call) and sent a text to the NHHS mom for the soccer banquet asking if I could still come. As soon as I had gotten off the phone with the airline, that friend called and I was in the process of texting him asking if he had prayed about my trip and he said no, he was just leaving the church and it was a cool time to give glory to God, which I honestly thought it was. (This is a side note spoiler to this blog – think about sin and how great the Devil makes sin look, enticing, convincing of us that it’s the “right thing to do” and how similar it is to what God may have in store – how we can be deceived by the flesh with the enticement of sin) A lot of things took place yesterday, the exhaustion I was feeling wasn’t just from me lacking sleep, it was another thing as well, but I was in bed later than I intended to be in but slept wonderfully in the comfort of my Father’s arms

Sunday morning, woke up feeling a bit tired and something just wasn’t right, but I figured it was Satan trying to steal my joy. I went in fully ready for tomorrow’s flight and looking forward to a day of worship with my brothers and sisters in Christ at church and at the ball field gathering. I spoke briefly to my Pastor about what was going on before the service, again I think I was speaking with my mouth with claiming I would be in Guatemala on Monday or even Wednesday, but I still had doubts. After the 2nd service and again having been commissioned off, both times there was an overwhelming warmth and peace over me, that I was ready for what I had to do.

After everyone has left, for the most part, I call the airlines and start the “process”. I make the first call to check on the flights and am told all flights into Guatemala City are canceled until Friday/Saturday. I hang up and contact Caitlin and Paul to let them know of the changes to the airport in Guatemala, in which I left messages for both. I call the airlines back, I am asked to go to lunch by a friend from church and then in a text message from another stating “we’re taking you to lunch” for both of them I didn’t tell them but I really wasn’t hungry, but they were determined. I told them I wasn’t going anywhere until I finished up with the flight details with TACA, this was 30 minutes into the call. The creww gets back and I’m about 45 minutes into the call and they are pestering me about deciding on a place to go, I tell them to choose, they know what I eat I just couldn’t make that choice. At the same time, I am really not hungry, I’ve lost my appetite knowing deep in my heart this trip was not going to take place I begin to withdraw in a big way. Everyone showed up and it was bombarding to be honest, I told them I needed to go and make reservations for a motel, which I had full intentions of doing, but since I had not gotten through to TACA yet, I called Orbitz using the church phone and went online to check my email and looks at hotels. I sent an email to Paul and Caitlin after having already called them and gave them the updated info as well. I am on the phone with Orbitz and it’s been about 20 minutes with them and they confirm that the flight tomorrow is canceled, but that flights are still showing as active and traveling on Wednesday, but once she dug deeper, she did find they are not going out until Friday/Saturday. I ask her to hold because, TACA airline comes on and they said all flights for the Guatemala airport (entering and leaving the country) are canceled until Saturday. I ask her to check with US Airways to find out if I can change my ticket to Friday/Saturday without any fees and I am about an hour and a half into phone calls and she comes back on and tells me that US Airs will not waive it. They stated either TACA or I will have to pay for it, which TACA already said they would not cover it and I know I could not cover it without going into my credit card, and I know that is NOT what God would want me to do. As soon as the lady comes back to me, Caitlin calls me and I knew as I had already begun crying and my heart was heavy with this decision, I knew I had to cancel the trip. I knew in my heart God was shutting doors at this time. Caitlin spoke with me and I couldn’t even say to her the choice I had made, because she already knew it. I am so thankful that God had her call me at that time to pray with me, because I could not have had my friends who were at the church do this because I really don’t think they’d understand and it wasn’t a time to talk to anyone about it. After having the lady at Orbitz on hold, and finished talking with Caitlin, I was calm and at peace and told Orbitz I would like to cancel the flights and finished by sharing with the lady on the phone that this was not part of God’s plan for me to go to Guatemala at this time and that He has something bigger and better in store and thanked her for being patient with me putting her on hold multiple times and told her she was doing a great job.

I spent time alone for maybe 15 minutes then one of my best friends came in and talked to me, saying things I already knew. I knew he already knew what was happening, whether someone told him or not, he knew. He asked a great question, “What is it specifically that I will miss about this” – It’s the fact of sharing with those who had not heard the Gospel, it’s that area that really pains my heart. In my heart I knew this was going to happen, it just took a lot to say I WONT go. Father knows best and this is not the time He wants me there and I give Him all the glory for this and looking forward to pressing on for God’ Kingdom of those being added as children of God

I know now for certain, my heart is called to foreign missions and burdened for the ones who have not been reached, but for now, I will continue intentionally seeking God and His will for me in this place at this time until He speaks to me otherwise. Another great realization is that I know, if I did not have a job, I probably would have waited this out to go. I also learned a great point about change…full-time foreign missions, this could happen a lot, big changes at any given moment.

I praise God in the fact that I did get to share what it meant to have God close doors with a family member and that family member received it well but still is trying to figure out the why it happened and I told her to not worry about the why, because I’m not God may or may not reveal that to me, but He may reveal it to someone else or may never reveal it. We continue to seek after God and what He would want of us.

I spoke about this before I believe, but I knew God was going to rock my world with this trip….well, He did and not in the way I would have thought or anyone else for that matter, except God of course. I spoke earlier in the year about how when we are walking with Christ it is almost always a matter of IF and not just WHEN. We can claim the whens but need to be willing to expect there is still an if out there and this shows that God is faithful, He spoke truth to me. I know that had I followed through with this, I would have been acting in disobedience. Some of you may say, I lack faith for not sticking it out, but I say to you, just the opposite. It took me more faith to say no to going (especially with the burden and yearning of wanting to be in foreign missions) than to say yes to going. Trusting that God does not want me down there is harder than trusting He does want me down there. A good friend also told me today that in living the career missionary lifestyle, things like this are going to happen. Wow….what’s even cooler about this statement, it’s something else I had not thought about with regards to going career – one of my evaluation things even at work relates to how I embrace change and being at PPD somewhat has prepared me in a lot of ways for the small changes and a little for the big changes. God, I love you so much that you will wait at the final hour to open/shut doors.

This door has been shut for now, but in this God has opened a new door for me to take a trip to SC, yeah you could say the idea came up out of the blue, but I’ll tell you it’s God ordained. There is a reason that the president of GSM is only 1.5 hours away south in Pawley’s Island, SC. Amy asked me to get some things for her to bring with me, and I want to make sure they get there as well as the gear donated by donateyourjersey.com. So I emailed Paul about coming down on Tuesday, then 30 minutes later I let him know I can come down Monday morning. So now, I’m going to SC and will fellowship with Paul for a little while and give him the bag of gear to take down.

A great reminder also concerning Satan and sin and disobedience. Satan likes to make sin look nice and enticing, he can also make a bad situation look good in order for us to walk in disobedience to God’s will….this in my opinion is just that. Satan also knows my heart and the burden and desire to be in the field, and Satan used that to make this trip look like it was to happen, though God obviously shut the doors. This happens so often and we need to pray for discernment and wisdom because sometimes, things can line up with God’s Word but end up being in disobedient to God’s Will. Our feelings get roped and grabbed in.

I thank you God that you are the lamp to my feet and a light to my path, You are merciful and loving and full of some much undeserving grace to us. I lift up Paul Banta to You and that if it is Your will that he cotinue on in his journey to Guatemala City and open His heart to the next GSM location be it international or nationally; John and Amy Banta with Hope, Titus and Luke give them strength to continue with the academies and during this time of clean-up. may they be a light to those around them and willing to serve others during this time. Danilo and Osmar and their families as well as all of the coaches for GSM for their safety and healing of sicknesses/injuries/etc; Caitlin Williams as she travels to Gautemala and Haiti this summer and give her discernment to Your will and direction for her. I pray for those who they come in contact with and that they continue to be intentional in sharing who Jesus Christ is and pray this for myself as well to continue to be intentional in sharing God and to quit making excuses. Please keep me in obedience to your will, that I may testify to the glory of Your grace to those around me and in my “Jerusalem” called Wilmington/PPD/Hampstead/soccer field/etc. Let me seek Your face by the study of Your Word and application of Your Word in my own life. Let me be willing and ready to give up everything for the sake of the cross, to leave it all behind or to continue in being a layman in the corporate world. Let Your holiness shine through me and continue to clean my heart of anything unholy and that is not appealing in Your sight. In Your Son Jesus Christ’s name. Amen!

Shea Lindon

Release

It is a wonderful morning because, by God’s grace and mercy, He allowed me to wake up. He allowed me for the 2nd night in a row to have a sweet, peaceful rest. He also allowed me to hear my lovely cat Snickers just constantly meowing, and I don’t mean the cute meow, I mean the one that sounds like she’s in pain meow, when she really isn’t; she wanted mamma’s attention and for me to get up. She was doing this while He was waking me up.

My struggle from this week has been awesome to go through, knowing God has already overcome it and with Him I would overcome it. My own insecurities and worries caused a lot of this affliction, and deep in my heart having resentment towards someone just has killed me and to my face is the only place I could go and approach my Father. Admission. Surrender. Submission. Patience.

Before my first trip, I did go through this exact same thing. God was cleansing the depths of my heart that I had been hiding behind and He did it again, but He is ALWAYS doing this, we should always be being cleansed of the impurities in our lives, if we honestly want them released. (Psalm 51) I know there are probably other things He wants and needs to clean out of my heart, but this was one thing that was a huge deterrent in listening and hearing from Him I think and I need to have my heart open to whatever He says on this trip, whatever it is He wants me to take and learn and grow from this trip. His call on my life and what He wants me to do could come and go and I could totally miss it. How many times do we do that? We miss it. How many times do we hear His call and act in disobedience for the multitude of excuses out there – it’s not my time, how can I afford it, I’m not good enough, I don’t know the Bible good enough, someone else should do it I’m not comfortable doing it, I want to finish this other stuff first, the list can go on

The verse He spoke to me this week is Proverbs 29:22-23
22 An angry man stirs up strife, And a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression.
23 A man’s pride will bring him low, But a humble spirit will obtain honor

This was concerning the resentment in my heart….man did I just sit and read this verse over and over and just broke down. It’s true why most don’t read the Bible, it’s because of the conviction God’s Word brings in our lives, we don’t want to hear it, but I am so grateful of His Word, as much as it convicts me time after time, I return to it, because it guides me. My anger/resentment/pain was causing problems with friends around me and in my own life. I wanted to do whatever I could to ignore it and whoever got in my path was going to get pushed away, so I couldn’t get hurt anymore. My pride did bring me low, it brought me to a place that reminded me of where I came from, a place I had not been since coming to accept Christ in my life, and in turn it brought me face down to my Father and He has humbled me and reminded me, even through this all, He is still with me and He affirmed that the prayers I am continuing in, that this is what He is still asking of me and continues to ask of me to cover my friends in these areas – prayer for a relationship with God based on God and not their circumstances, pray for His will for my friends and family, healing in their own lives, purity (free from sexual immorality – this goes as far as kissing someone you are not married to, yes MARRIED (our bodies are God’s temple and anything sexual is to remain in the marriage setting), integrity, Christ-centeredness, friendship, balance, discernment, communication, times of fasting, being equally yolked in God’s call to ministry (not trying to conform to anyone else call but God’s own call for your own life first, then a life together if this applies to you)

A piece of me dies everyday, in the sense of dying to self and becoming more Christ-like, and I can only say it’s by God’s grace and love that He is doing this in me. I’ve had many people think I’m crazy with how I’m handling a wonderful situation in my life, where most people (the world) would say I should be thinking it is the worst thing that could happen to me, even some of my brothers and sisters in Christ don’t understand and even try to justify my emotions, when there is no justification for them in my opinion and because of this, I have to tell you it is because knowing God and accepting Christ has changed my life completely. Do I fall at times, for sure….I’m a human being and I do fall into that negative, I’m going to blame God thoughts, but He brings me back to His Word and to my eyes back on Him and realize He is shaping me and using me as a testimony for Him to speak to others.

I pray that the words I share may help someone else, may entice them to ask questions, and if you do, feel free to contact me, comments DONT have to be publicized

I have to get to working on a project, but know that as an emotion driven human being, I could not be where I am today without God in my life.

Guatemala Flight Details (prayer times) and an open struggle

Wow….in 5 days I will be on a plane returning to Guatemala City to work alongside the missionaries of GSM and another intern named Caitlin Williams. We are supposed to meet up in Miami, I think, since we will both be on the same flight leaving Miami to Guatemala.

I am listing my flight times and flight numbers so that you can pray during those times, if you are led, that God uses me in every place I am and I remain bold in my faith in the airport, on the plane, and that God’s light shines through me and His Holy Spirit fill me with words to speak. I pray for good soil in the hearts of those in which I interact with.

I will be going to ILM at 7:30am, Monday, due to the Memorial Day Holiday, I’m not sure what to expect at the airport.

Going to Guatemala

Monday, May 31, 2010
US Airways # 2571

Wilmington New Hanover County (ILM) to Charlotte Douglas (CLT)

Departure: (ILM): May 31, 9:27 AM EDT (morning)
Arrival: (CLT): May 31, 10:46 AM EDT (morning)

US Airways # 1831

Charlotte Douglas (CLT) to Miami International (MIA)
Departure: (CLT): May 31, 11:45 AM EDT (morning)
Arrival: (MIA): May 31, 1:55 PM EDT (afternoon)

TACA # 321

Miami International (MIA) to Guatemala City La Aurora (GUA)
Departure: (MIA): May 31, 4:05 PM EDT (afternoon)
Arrival: (GUA): May 31, 4:50 PM CST (afternoon)

Returning home to Wilmington

Monday, June 14, 2010
TACA # 320

Guatemala City La Aurora (GUA) to Miami International (MIA)
Departure: (GUA): June 14, 9:56 AM CST (morning)
Arrival: (MIA): June 14, 2:26 PM EDT (afternoon)

US Airways # 1850

Miami International (MIA) to Charlotte Douglas (CLT)
Departure: (MIA): June 14, 4:30 PM EDT (afternoon)
Arrival: (CLT): June 14, 6:36 PM EDT (evening)

US Airways # 2620

Charlotte Douglas (CLT) to Wilmington New Hanover County (ILM)
Departure: (CLT): June 14, 8:10 PM EDT (evening)
Arrival: (ILM): June 14, 9:13 PM EDT (evening)

Thank you all for your prayers and coming alongside me in this journey. It was amazing last time that I really forgot about back home and all the “troubles” from my heart due to things happening that God was controlling, and that was all God and His glory that my focus stayed on Him and remained in Him. This timing is another one of those times, it’s time for more growth and letting go.

My initial desires were to get married and have a family, but my desires are engulfed with working as a full-time missionary for 1-2 years.

Funds, where will they come from, that will come from God if it is truly His will for me to go. He will open all doors that I must walk through and take care of those needs. I still have the desires of marriage and family, but right now, a dating relationship would be a distraction, I have relationships period that are distractions, some even hindering me, but I can’t tell that to who I need to tell it to. I’ve got insecurities or parts of my life I feel VERY inadequate and these have led to me holding onto resentment deep within my heart and Sunday, in prayer, I asked God to reveal the depths of my heart and the word resentment surfaced. I haven’t felt resentment towards someone since before I came to know the Lord and this scares me – not fearful, but just concerned with who I have allowed into my heart, I allowed the devil to get in and do a number on me…. because what I’m doing is blaming God because of what He has put on the hearts of the people involved, and it has made me feel like I will never be worthy enough for someone. Which is TOTALLY untrue, I know He has an amazing plan for my life, it’s just a matter of letting God and remembering to let God be God. We go through changes in our lives where you’ve had a great friend for years and you were always that “go to person” to talk to about what God’s been doing and telling about things that happened that week and then BAM!!!!, you’re replaced, there is no longer any communication like there used to be, you aren’t that person they want to talk to, no hanging out unless it’s work related….big changes…and that caused resentment as well.

The great thing though as God continues to reveal to me, is that friend will still always be there, no matter what is going on in their life or where they are in comparison to you, you can still pick up right where you left off. This is where the growth takes place. I’ve been through this once before with reuniting with someone I hadn’t been in touch with in over 18 years and we picked up as if we had been friends during that entire time and it was amazing, I can’t explain what it felt like – the spiritual connection that was unbreakable, obviously it can be broken, but that’s what it felt like. I know I have a best friend for life or as the kids put it BFFE (Best Friend Forever and Ever)

I think this is something God’s working on me with because that is the struggle I am going to have with leaving, friends and family. It’s hit me the past month or two, He says to give it all up – a lot of times we think the material things, not our brothers and sisters in Christ and church family.

If God wants my home and my job, I want Him to give to someone else who needs it and tell me where He wants me.

God’s steadfast love will never leave me and as many times as I turn to do it on my own, I turn back to where I know I need to be. Sometimes, we are so happy in our fleshy feelings we get blinded by them when God’s calling us to something else and we don’t want to leave behind something or someone who makes us “feel good about ourselves”. Step out on faith and go with where God is calling, as CRAZY as it may sound, he calls us to CRAZY lives, or CRAZY LOVE for Him.