This is a site where I can express my thoughts, feelings, passions as well as share my life with whoever chooses to listen.
Catching Elephant is a theme by Andy Taylor
Working as a Team with a Heavenly Mission
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awecame upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. -Acts 2:42-47
This was the main verse we had to read for yesterday’s bible study and as I read it I realized exactly what this summer is supposed to be about. My team and I are in South Korea and we are working with refugees. We’re going to be teaching them English. All the students have so much joy and the big question is, how do they have that much joy after everything that they have been through? The answer is simple, Jesus. Next question, how do they know about Jesus? The answer to that is also simple, but yet so complicated. There are people, like my team and I, who come and serve at the school every summer. There are also a select few that are staff at the school. They are full time missionaries that live with the students and teach them, not just English but the word of God as well. The Holy Spirit is so absolutely present in this school and it is so exciting to look forward to what God has in store for the summer.
However, coming to this summer I was thinking about what I would have to do… how I would grow… what challenges I would face… etc… The common theme in all of this is the word I. As soon as I met one of the students, I realized that this summer has nothing to do with me and everything to do with the students’ relationship with Jesus. The verse above was so convicting because it really speaks truth into the heart of what my team and I should be doing here in Seoul. We should be devoting ourselves to the Word of God and always seeking his guidance and strength. We should not be overwhelmed with petty differences or annoyances because at the end of the day the root of our souls is the same, Christ. Lastly, we need to love one another in a way that our love for Christ Shines through without any doubt. Showing the students the love of Christ and striving to share the Good News with them.
God works in mighty mighty ways! Adding to the number of believers day by day. That is my prayer for my summer and the students that I’ll be working with. I pray that God would add to the number of believers daily and the students would being a beautiful life saving journey with Christ.
The Explicit Gospel-Matt Chandler at the Austin Stone
EASTER SERVICE at AUSTIN STONE
I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying, my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit— I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race, the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption to sonship; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen.” Romans 9:1-5
God moves in the midst of Darkness
Stranger: What are you reading there?
Myself: I am reading by bible, specifically the book of Genesis.
Stranger: That's the one where God created everything right?
Myself: Yup, that's it.
Stranger: Do you really believe that? You believe he created everything including you? You believe that he created you from a man's rib?
Myself: I do.
Stranger: Why?
Myself: Because, six years ago I heard a story and it changed my life.
Stranger: What story?
Myself: The story of Jesus. What he did. How he lived. Why he lived. Why he died.
Stranger: O yeah.. the guy that "never" sinned.
Myself: The one and only
Stranger: I like you. Can we meet next week and you can tell me this story?
Myself: If you want, sure.
Stranger: My name is Kyle, by the way.
Myself: Mine's Caitlin.
Kyle: He died on a cross didn't he? People killed him?
Myself: Yeah, yeah they did.
Kyle: I've been having dreams about a guy dying on a cross. Then I saw your bible and I thought I'd find out what all the fuss is about.
Myself: Well I'd be happy to tell you all about the fuss.
Kyle and I worked out the details and I'll be meeting with him next week to tell him all about the "fuss" that is the gospel. How incredible is God that he can seek out the lost and work in their hearts without them having any real exposure.
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. -2 Corinthians 4: 6
