Get ready, Church.

It does matter who becomes President. But... then it doesn't matter. I said it once before and I'll say it again... WE, the people of the United States, are the true rulers of our country, as is written in our Declaration of Independence and Constitution. Not the man in the Oval Office. He just represents us. We make the change happen. A commentator earlier said that we have become like Western Europe, we want people to do our job for us. USA, when that happens the vision is lost and we might as well just redo government. That is what is happening.

I don't care what happens, as a preacher said once, quoting the classic The Wizard of Oz, "We are not in Kansas anymore. SO WHAT?!" The *FACT* is... the USA will see worse trouble one day, much more trouble than when Hurricane/Superstorm Sandy hit, and the people of our secular United States will turn to one reliable source for aid, THE CHURCH. And the question is... Church, will we rise from the ashes? Will we come out of our complacency? God reigns, and His victory is sure. But, will we be the light to glorify our Savior?

Almost posted this on facebook, changed my mind. You most likely linked here from there but even if not, get ready America, and more importantly, get ready, Church. I am not nor will I claim to be a prophet, but I know the nations will see a lot of trouble one day... but it all doesn't matter, because our hope is in the Lord. He has already won against evil, against sin.

God bless America.

Total Surrender

Okay, there is absolutely no way I can finish this in one entry. This will require many, many days and many posts. But this is where I’m going. This is what 2012 is all about for me. Total surrender to my Savior. And, what provoked this posting was a girl.

She’s 18. I’m rapidly approaching 23. And I have so much to learn from her.

This girl is an incredible, talented, intelligent, very friendly, girl. What makes her stand out is she has not just passion, but EXTREME PASSION and UNWAVERING LOVE of God. She is totally surrendered; there isn't a doubt in my mind. And there are many ways I know this, but one solidified any question, and there was no question.

In the Spring of 2012, WKU had a magician named Jim Munroe come to our campus for a campus-wide outreach, in which he told his story of coming to Christ. Nobody could ever forget it. He had been diagnosed with cancer in his bone marrow, and I believe it was terminal, he was dead. Obviously, he didn't die and here’s why. There was a revolutionary procedure at the time done that included completely destroying his immune system, removing every last drop of bone marrow from his body, and during this process, any single free radical that our bodies can either fight off or cause us to get sick… anything would kill him because he would have zero immunity to it. In turn, he would receive bone marrow from a donor… in which the marrow had to be a perfect match, otherwise it would be incompatible and attack the body system. He would end up living and thereby being instantly cured of his terminal cancer. What an amazing story. God used it to share the Gospel with him too… CRAZY stuff… the crazy thing, he was essentially “dead” for 3 days… and the moment the new marrow came into his body, it was a new life, literally. And the young lady that donated her marrow... became Jim's hero.

This girl I spoke of before, named Sammi, is giving of her selfless life, interrupting her education, her duties on the BCM Leadership Team, and putting her life on the line for another person by doing what saved Jim Munroe. Another donor, another chance to share the Gospel. New life for a terminally ill patient.

Sammi will literally become a hero, because as she posted, if something prevented her from giving her marrow at this point, this patient is DEAD, GUARANTEED. She is becoming a hero, and there is no question it is because of Christ, and she has been compelled by Christ to do this… maybe not shedding her blood, but giving of what gives her immunity, for this patient.

Talk about admiring someone. And it's all for the glory of Christ.

But Sammi is just a grain of sand… a whisper in the wind… how can she, or any of us, make a difference? Only through Christ. This should be an insignificant gesture. But it scares the crap out of me… risking my life to save another? Would I be willing to give a kidney, some of my liver, my bone marrow… just because of the love of Christ?! To save someone, just because I felt compelled to? "What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? (Romans 7:24)"

Thanks be to God, through Jesus Christ our Lord! (Romans 7:25)

Luke 14:26 states, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters--yes, even his own life--he cannot be my disciple.” (Personal emphasis added.)

The Sermon on the Mount… Matthew 5-7… the whole thing… all points to this: It is all or nothing. It is throughout the Bible. Our lives are to be totally surrendered. When we receive Christ as Savior of our lives, we don’t say, “God, I surrender my Sunday mornings and maybe my Wednesdays to you.” No, that is an incomplete salvation, and Christ didn’t die just to save some of you. Christ went to the cross to completely cover all of you, your every sin, and through the working of the Holy Spirit, Romans 12:2 comes into play… “be transformed by the renewing of your minds.”(personal emphasis added) Matthew 13:1-9, explained in 18-23… Henry Blackaby speaks on this that we must DAILY ready our hearts to be good soil so that the Word of the Lord may be planted in us and bear fruit… (From the Devotional Experiencing God Day By Day by Henry T. Blackaby & Richard Blackaby).

Again, I know this is kind of loosely done, but this is just the beginnings of a thought that I have that will take days, months… my entire life… to figure out. But what I can tell you, is THIS is one of, if not the, missing link in my struggle with spiritual discipline.

Any struggle I had with Acts 1:8 this summer (and it was A LOT of struggle), is probably attributed to getting this down.

I’ll end with a link to a song that one of the singers of the Clear band (the current worship band I psuedo-lead) wants to do. And it is powerful… and all about total surrender. =)

Open Hands by Matt Papa

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BY7btDSLiq8

Godspeed,

~Kevin~

Waiting On The Lord (Updates!)

It's a whole new week!!!

September has been awesome so far, really. Just a quick update for those I haven't told, I've decided to not get a job until next month mainly because my parents have so many doctor's appointments. Which is fine. But, I don't know if I've used my time the most wise in that time.

But it's okay, I've had some awesome opportunities, great conversations, and I know more is to come.

So just what's been going on in my life:

*Started the worship ministry stuff (it's an unofficial internship, basically) at my church, and having a blast. It is challenging because somewhere along the way I've become even more quiet, which stinks, and I'm trying to break that some. But I think things are going really well. This coming Wednesday music stuff will be totally happening under my supervision. I know I'm ready, so not too worried, and just hoping for greatness as God moves in our worship service!!!
*One conversation away from making an OFFICIAL commitment to my career.
*Still need to find a job, as I said, but I have a couple of ideas. One involves working with a psychologist in Somerset.
*Pre-ordered an iPhone 5!!!

Other than that...
*Pokemon Fire Red
*Dragonball Z.

I have fun with the last two items, but I know they aren't the best uses of my time.

Oh! I've also been cleaning my room, that progress has sort of halted, but will pick back up soon.

It's all about setting goals. And making sure they are met at all costs. A great college friend taught me that by his example. And I've thought more and more about that, and decided I want to really try to make that happen.

Not been making too big of a deal out of trying to lose weight, but I've been looking for options, found some. This cleaning my room has a lot to do with that, getting some room to do some working out. Also, might end up cleaning the garage some too... my brother has a weight bench he doesn't use and while I don't want to "lift" per se, I would like to tone. We'll just see. "It's all in the approach, the combat, and our will!*"

I know I haven't really touched a lot on anything "spiritual," I've kind of stepped back into just letting God teach me. But I do know God is doing awesome things at my church, and awesome opportunities are surfacing. It's just waiting to see what God wants to do! I hope to have grown a bunch even by the end of this month. Steps are being taken for that to happen, and I'm pumped for it!!!

Alright, the ZzzQuil is starting to kick in, and I'm notorious for late Saturday nights. So hopefully this helps some.

Until next time!
~Kevin~

      *Zoids New Century Zero - Bit Cloud as he is fighting Berserk Fury.

Spiritual Encouragement

Nothing too special has happened since I last posted two days ago.

However, things are drastically different than the last time I posted.

Been digging in the Word, and by no prompting other than the Holy Spirit... and God has been speaking to me a ton honestly since Wednesday, just about all the stuff I've been carrying.

I think sometimes, we can carry stuff with us that is detrimental to us. I don't know what to compare it to right off hand, but cutting to the chase pride is something I struggle with. I discovered over the summer I have a mountain of pride. And through all this hurt and pain, I think what I have deduced is, I don't just have a mountain of pride... but I have a mountain range of pride. It is definitely a gargantuan wall that stands between the Lord and myself... and the people I know and love and myself.

Only God can take this from me... and I want to surrender it all.

But that honestly has been the root of all my "issues," just dealing with the fact that I cannot carry this. And why would I want to? This pride (in just one example of many) wants me to be an expert at something... it could even be worship, and by expert I mean get a doctorate, which there's nothing wrong with, but I think that should only be necessary if God equips me in such a way that it would be appropriate. Like, if I were to teach seminary students about worship later in life, then I would definitely love to have a doctorate, and if I genuinely wanted to help students learn about being a worship leader or something else in a seminary, then yes. But if I want to get it just to boast about how much knowledge I have... then, ESPECIALLY when it comes to worship, then you have 1 Corinthians 1:27, "But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong," and 1 Corinthians 13:4 "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud." So it wouldn't be in love, I would probably turn into one of those "slave-driver" type teachers, Pharisaic, and I believe God works many times not through one's knowledge of something but simply by His wisdom alone, which none of us can ever have. And, it doesn't matter how smart I am as to how one experiences God in a worship service.

Goodness... I'm thinking like a worship leader. Nothing wrong with that!!! =D Anyway, my point for that, which was broken up with a ministry meeting, was that pride has been getting in the way of a lot of things for me... ultimately, it is spiritual warfare. And there's enough of a battle when it comes to how we can be the hands and feet of Jesus so that God can move within lives and people are saved from destruction.

So... in the name of Jesus Christ, AWAY FROM ME SATAN!

And when I take that lens off and think about the good things, it completely overshadows all the "negatives" I've seen like from this summer and stuff. And the negatives really aren't negatives...

So I know this is titled "Spiritual Encouragement," and it's only by God's grace that I am being pulled out of this spiritual desert. I would say I'm at the end, and on the horizon is the next chapter, and I am running full speed toward that. I know that chapter includes getting a job, which to be honest, I have made almost no effort to get. But, that has to change. I know what I want to look for. And I know I can make it happen... this week... today! =D Well, except for the fact that my dad has destroyed our deck because we need to replace our furnace pipes... so I need to help him with that. Other than that... I'm ready for this!

=D

That's Called Control

Short entry tonight (for fast fingers).

Again sorry that I haven't updated on my Acts 1:8 trip. I'm processing a lot of stuff still... I'm almost done.

"That's Called Control"... it's what the guy "Tommy" says when God is trying to chisel something out of him but he won't let him (God Chisel - Skit Guys). That's what we have when we either say no to God... or just blatantly live life our own way.

And that's what I have done since July 25th... the day I came home from Acts 1:8.

I wouldn't say it's been a total waste... well, never mind. Here it is August 19, I've barely searched for a job. The only thing I've really done is take care of my parents who are going through a lot of health problems right now (increasingly good news though), spend time with them, and also I've gotten started with my... volunteer ministry, at East Somerset Baptist Church, where I'll be helping with music this year. That's awesome, and I'm looking so forward to the year. However... it's comparable to doing something in the Olympics with being out of training for years. You just can't saddle up and go without training. What am I saying? Not been spiritually disciplined. Enough said. I've totally lived my own life for the past month. Let's just be honest. I don't need to go any farther into detail.

Just a few things I'm balancing.

*The fact that yes I need a job, but once I get a job, I will never be jobless (we hope) until retirement, and I'll always be needing to provide with a job. And until I confirm what I want to do, I don't want to do anything... but that's nonsense, so I'll get a job anywhere right now. Just to pay the bills. And this includes having a job when I go back to college. Which... I really wish I was in college now, but if I kept going, I would probably literally go crazy. It would be pointless to continue slaving away with absolutely no direction... or a direction I am not sure I want to go.

*Point of not knowing what I want to do continued. Worship leader? It's the only thing I feel like I could do very well at, and love. But, I feel too broken for it. Psychologist? I think I'd really like that, good money, and I could support a lot of missionaries with that. Not saying I couldn't serve, because I would.

*Dealing with a ton of hurt from this summer. To be honest. And I do not need to go more into detail on that. I'm sure it will surface in time... Or be washed away in the blood of Jesus. It already has, I just need to accept it. But it's led to me feeling worthless and I think (I have a psychology degree, I can say this) mildly depressed.

*Laziness.

Just definitely feel like I'm going through the motions.

...Now I get the feeling a lot of people don't care about this. So let me state this.

I write on here, and I don't care who sees it. I would hope someone in a state of mentorship over me, someone who cares about me and loves me unconditionally no matter who I am or what I've done, because I know I'm a little eccentric, and I've done a lot, and hurt quite a few people, and I would love to take all of that away. I also know that I'm not the only one who is broken, but everyone around me is, that's called sin, and I let other people's brokenness, pride, and American culture influence get the best of me... to where I feel like I'm constantly in the wrong, then I have to apologize, and I HATE apologizing and always feeling like a screw-up. So, I've felt very apprehensive to say anything to anyone lately. Because it's always put in check by someone, then I'm always expected to be held to this standard I feel like I just cannot reach. And instead of some shallow "I know you can change," I need something more, this world needs so much more than that.

I just wonder what purpose God has for placing me in this desert? I don't want to control this anymore.

Here's to hoping when the dawn shines upon my face again, I will have a new objective, and new direction.

And yes that means, effective as soon as I wake up.

Because I know my foot has been on the brake pedal long enough. I can't constantly analyze and make adjustments, it's time to go go go. (Yes, a NASCAR-esque reference)

God help me. Lord save me from myself, actually... rid me of myself. Let me just learn what it means to serve You.

p.s. I am happy that through this trial, and even though I have gone pretty much prodigal... the thought has seriously been there, and this pain has gotten so bad that I've seriously thought, I'm not good enough to be a Christian, being a Christian is too hard. But where else would I turn to? God proved Himself to me through science years ago... you cannot, cannot, cannot convince me that we are an accident, it just is not going to happen. My faith in God has never left, and the fire, though it may be low, is still there and can never be put out. As I've wrote this, dealing with the pain, I feel even stronger.

I just don't want to feel alone. God never intended for His Bride the Church to be alone. I know I'm not... and I have great friends and family. The reason I'm at East Somerset is because of some very special people, who have given me chances I do not deserve. Just like God!!! And God is doing amazing things at East, I cannot wait to see the backside of what He's doing there, Lord-willing.

This helped me.

~Kevin~

"I'm Sorry" - About Apologizing

All for the glory of God.

Sorry I haven't updated as much as I want to. I think I'm really good at underestimating just how busy I truly am. But I've been trying my best to be as present with my Acts 1:8 team, especially since I have just over ONE WEEK left with them. And that is sad, I'm trying not to think about it. At the same time, I can't wait to get home. So, mixed emotions.

This blog is called The Chisel, influenced from Skit Guys' "God Chisel" video, and my goodness, I can literally feel God chiseling at me so hard this summer to the point it HURTS and it HURTS HORRIBLY at times. Through tears, anger, God is peeling back the layers and unburying the depths of my soul. I still feel like there's a lot to go. But I'm growing in grace so much, learning to take captive every thought (2 Corinthians 10:5) especially just today because things will happen or people will say something I just disagree with for whatever reason and in anger I play through scenarios of what the conversation would be like or what I should say if I should say anything... and it just consumes me sometimes, and I just feel convicted, that it isn't of God. So as painful as it has been, the storms are letting up and the rains are not as cold, and I'm starting to see a GORGEOUS sunset.

I feel like I've been apologizing a lot lately. And in some ways it's been hurtful... and it makes me feel like I'm so behind everyone spiritually. (not true, although we are all on a spiritual journey) I feel like I am not specialized at anything but worship, and that I get talked down to (that's how I perceive it) when I don't know or understand something. Off subject but I wanted to say that. So, anytime I expose myself from my introverted self and say something, sometimes, I feel like 98% of the time, I am reprimanded for what I've said. And my brothers and sisters are so intentional (that's a GOOD thing) with every word spoken that if I even phrase something wrong I'm called out on it. Or I get asked my all-time least favorite question, "What do you mean?" Sorry, a lot of ranting going on with this, let me try and focus now.

See, when I apologize to someone, it's because, in my eyes, I have wronged a person. I have offended them, harmed them, or done something horrible, been defiant, or just a number of possibilities. And as I have discovered this summer, I have a TON of pride, which ironically I am not proud of. So it takes a lot for me to apologize to someone, and it's exhausting. Because I like to be right, I like to be the light, and I do NOT like to be wrong. I am a perfectionist, and like to do things the right way 100% of the time, so when I do something wrong, I have absolutely and miserably failed that person and my witness as a Christian (again, this is how I feel). So, that's why apologizing has been a big deal to me.

What have I learned?

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God." says Matthew 5:9. We are called to be peacemakers and should rejoice at this... do everything for the glory of God. So anytime we get a chance to reconcile with a brother or sister, it should make our hearts glad, because that person who brings the grievance to your attention (or if the Holy Spirit has) has given you an opportunity to grow. And we have a choice... to accept the chance to grow, or reject it... and God doesn't look upon people too well if we reject discipline (Proverbs 29:1). Cool thing just happened... I meant to look at Proverbs 12:1... but God provided a better verse!!! Praise Him. 

So as painful as it has been, I've chosen to accept His discipline, though I don't understand it that much, I know that for this time and this purpose He has called me to live in this way. And God knows this will benefit me in the future.

I also think sometimes I look at pleasant conversation as a way to grow closer to someone... but I think I'm starting to find that conflict handled righteously will grow people closer together.

I don't know how clear I've been in this... nor do I care, I just pray that God uses this to speak to you. The take home points:

We choose the attitude we take when we enter conflict with someone.

Every conflict is a growth opportunity and a teaching / learning opportunity. Take it. We need to grow every chance we get.

Be optimistic.

I may or may not edit this later, because I've been distracted. But it's therapeutic to share this, even though I shared this in complete peace and not in frustration. Last thought.

I offended someone tonight, yet again, and though what I was accused of was completely false, I swallowed my pride and apologized immediately. And I was filled with peace.

Peace be with you. More coming soon I hope.

~Kevin~

Tip Of The Iceburg

Hey,

It's almost 1am and I really need to get in bed. But I just wanted to quickly update what we've been doing and where I stand on things.

There's a blog http://acts18richmondnewyork.blogspot.com/ if you want to follow the official adventures.

But basically we have done a Youth Revival, Backyard Bible Clubs, and the first Sunday here we taught some of the middle and high school Sunday schools. One of our own taught the college class for the past couple of weeks and have both done a superb job.

As for me... again, skimming the surface.

Overall, this trip has been wonderful. There have been a few times that I have been really down, however. I guess that is just part of the normal chiseling process? Who knows. But here's what I do know.

I discovered that I have lived the past few years just wanting to skim the surface of what it truly means to be a Christian. Get in the Word when I wanted, prayed when I wanted. Did just enough to satisfy the needs for the worship cluster or other Christian things I was doing.

(My teammate Jason always calls me out (jokingly) every time I say the word FAIL and if you know me you know I just love that word. But now I seriously use it on myself.)

Fail.

Our call is not one of half-doing things, but of total surrender. And if you aren't totally surrendered then are you really a Christian? Or are you just playing the part sitting in the pew every Sunday and maybe feeling a little generous to help out?

I've been undergoing some serious war. There was one point it got so bad I even was doubting my salvation. (God turned me around quickly on that one). And a couple of people on my team have really, really been challenging me in good ways... in some ways, though, I feel sort of different, as in so bad it sets me apart (in a bad way) from the team. But I can take comfort in that everyone has probably felt that at some point. Also, we are all on a spiritual journey and I just have to remember that.

Finally, God challenged me today to have faith, and naturally led me to Hebrews 11. And, wow, check that out if you are struggling with faith because it's good stuff. And it's cool being a religious studies scholar seeing how Paul transitions that into discipline.

Oh, yeah, on that note. I feel that discipline is just half the battle. I think it's very, very important. But if we have no faith... then why bother? We would just be Pharisees and your typical hypocritical church-goer. That's not being a Christian.

I close with this. I was in a conversation with a girl who has been to Africa, and has an awesome story. I saw her get VERY excited talking about Jesus today, and I'm seriously trying to think last time I saw someone get excited about Jesus rather than being the typical overanalytical low-compassion person I am sometimes used to being around. It's amazing how that can turn your day and maybe even your entire trip around. And I pray that I can become that... let me get excited about Jesus!!! Also, pray for boldness for me.

Psalm 29
Ephesians 6:19-20

All Glory To Jesus,
~Kevin~

p.s. DALE EARNHARDT JR WON SUNDAY! =D

Goals of Spiritual Discipline

Wow, so I cannot believe that I am really going on Acts 1:8. It's truly happening.

All my support is in. It's been in for over two weeks now.

I know without a doubt many, many people have been and will continue to pray for me.

My team is awesome. I already know my team leader is going to be a blast to be with, but I can also sense that he's going to challenge us like crazy. I'm so pumped for that, even though I know there will be hard times. But it's like I always used to say with the worship cluster (at least I hope I reiterated it enough), I like when things go wrong because that shows growth can happen.

It's late so I don't want to spend too much time on this but, one thing I'm going to start really, really working on some during 1:8 but definitely afterwards, is my thoughts on spiritual discipline, and I hope and pray it will turn into a book. I'm not looking for anything other than to introduce many, many ideas or to remind my fellow brothers and sisters on some things I think can help their walk with Christ. I know, also, that there's a good chance the spiritual discipline book will not be the first book, because I feel like something has to be established before you reach this level of wanting spiritual discipline.

Real quick, I want to discuss... why Spiritual Discipline? And this may be a multi-part post, hopefully all before 1:8 but who knows. And this is definitely a goal of mine this summer is to establish a MUCH more disciplined lifestyle of obedience to what the Lord has asked of me, and of us.

First, the question, why discipline? Just the word itself. Why is discipline in existence? What is the purpose? I made a web a short while back, and of everything I wrote down, here are the three things I feel result from discipline.

1) It teaches us.
    We learn what is right and what is wrong, and we learn how to recognize these things. It holds us accountable to a standard, and from children of parents to children of God, it reminds us that we are not in charge. I feel like that right there is one thing that holds myself back from a growing relationship with God. It's 3:37am, two days before I leave, and I know there will rarely if ever be a teammate or myself awake at 3:37am. It could happen, but I highly doubt it. So why can I not discipline myself to go to bed early (especially being a college graduate, mind you) so that my mornings can be super productive and I can be well rested? Proverbs 31 has a verse about a woman rising early to provide food for the household. Then I think about farmers who usually wake up about 4:30 to do as much work as possible before the daytime heat. I think there's something to that...

Oh and since I didn't provide a direct verse let me loudly clarify... I have highlighted in my Bible many, many places that talk about different facets of spiritual discipline. I even highlighted something in Revelation!!! And I did this in what I believe to be contextual as well, but I will definitely check before I write on these verses. Again, I'm in a hurry to do this.

2) It builds qualities.
Under this I wrote different leadership qualities...

• Integrity
• Consistency
• Character
• Humility
• Endurance
• Obedience

Those are just the ones I listed... I believe God administers though the Holy Spirit spiritual gifts that include things such as humility and exhortation... but I believe there are certain things we can all learn as well. For example... everyone can have and should have the character of being Christ-like.

And also... all of this comes into eventually building and enforcing a lifestyle.

3) It keeps us out of danger and conflict.

We will know how to handle bad situations, temptations, flaming atheists, you name it. Again, the idea of right from wrong comes up, and we are reminded of what we have been taught through Scripture. And even in the fiercest of situations that most of us Americans just aren't used to being in, we learn how to survive. I obviously think about the military when I think of these, and they are trained rigorously so in case they are put in a dangerous situation, they know how to react calmly without putting themselves or others in danger. For us, it's learning how to handle different community issues and how to administer grace and love. That goes to #2 which is why I also added "conflict" to this.

All of this will come full circle as you see. So, in motivation and emotion (a psychology class) we talked about goals, setting realistic goals and how to achieve them. Well, setting the goals is something I am working hard on. Here are two end goals I see coming from this. Coupled with what is already listed are:
*A closer relationship with God through prayer and reading and meditating on the Word.
*An unwavering faith from peaceful times to the fiercest storm.


That is the very, very beginning thoughts of my passion for spiritual discipline. I cannot wait to write and blog on (and if God allows me, preach on) these as they bloom and flourish. I also cannot wait to see how God is going to use this. It is all definitely a role of discipleship; I want to see my fellow brothers and sisters grow in their faith and relationship with God, and I also want to learn and grow myself.

Donald Whitney uses the NASB version of 1 Timothy 4:7 to maintain his thesis for his book Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life. It states, "discipline yourselves for the purpose of godliness." While we cannot be God, we are called to be image-bearers of Christ, and God states in Ephesians 2:10 "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." We learn that God wants us to take action before He will work, to take a step of faith. And in doing so,  God will mold us into His masterpiece (workmanship), and then we will bear the image of Christ. And while we do what is commanded in Hebrews 3:1, that we fix our thoughts on Jesus, our minds will even become like Christ's.

Now my passion is coming forth, but sleepiness is winning. I hope you are getting as excited as I am about this.

Stay strong and pray for me as everything starts officially 1:30pm/12:30pm CT Tuesday!!!

God bless,
~Kevin~



man I'm glad I can type decently fast...

Countdown

Less than FIVE days away!

I found out that I will be part of the music ministry at Red House Baptist Church in Richmond. I will be playing guitar during the youth revival so that's exciting!!! Also I think I'll be on the worship team as long as we're in Richmond, so that's incredible. 

I want music to be a huge part of this trip, especially since I'm strongly considering being a worship leader (we're talking, 95% sure it's happening). Just please pray that it does not get in the way of the true reason why I'm going on this trip, which is to outreach to those around me. Musician's pride has been a problem in the past and God has very much helped me to overcome it. It's just important that I'm always in the Word as I'm serving in everything especially music because it makes a complete difference. 

My prayer need for tonight comes straight from the Bible. 

Hebrews 3:1, NIV. "Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess." Pray that I will, more now than ever in my life, fix my thoughts on Jesus and be readying my heart for all that will happen this summer. There's a lot on the line. Hundreds of eternities, and I pray God will work in and through my team. 

Glory to God Forever,
~Kevin~

Oh what a summer!

Summer is here! Well, not according to the calendar, but according to the school calendar! And boy has a lot going on in my world!

• I am now a graduate from WKU, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies. 
• Wrapped up some good, good times with the Baptist Campus Ministry of WKU, and had to say goodbye to a ton of really, really awesome people. Well, not a permanent goodbye, I'll visit!!! Whatever happens, there is Heaven...
• Family reunion tomorrow. Yeah!!
• The big one
  ACTS 1:8 LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE from May 29th-July 25th. Hello Richmond, KY and New York, NY!
• Then searching for a job. I have an idea of what I want to do, I'm nervous because it's a big job, but it would be rewarding and actually very good pay. More details to come. 
• Heavily helping with my church's worship band for our service, Clear. 
• Ignite in March of 2013. Again, more details to come. 

And this is centrally focused around Acts 1:8... you can catch all my adventures right here. This will be my official blog for my Acts 1:8 Leadership Experience. I don't know how often I will update, but I know if I learned anything from my service learning class, reflection is key. And, I want to definitely reflect with the Lord on every single day. Because, every day matters. I counted 50 days on this trip. A few of those days will be things like gearing up for the experience, travel, off days, etc., but even then are enormous opportunities to make differences even among my teammates. Which I want to list their names, I'll do first names. Please be praying for myself and

Trenton my 1:8 coordinator, Jason, Kyle, Dennis, Caitlin, April, Tiffany, and Keira. 

If you follow my group on facebook, I'm going to try and link this up with that... and I will list there what all I'll be doing in detail. 

Alright, time to get some rest for tomorrow. That family reunion I mentioned, it's tomorrow. I'm so excited! 

All Glory To Jesus, 

~Kevin Harper~

 

Writing In The Fog

Hey everyone.

I really want to get more into blogging. But with the time I have with school, blehk. Not happening.

I have raised a great amount of support for Acts 1:8, praise the Lord! And, I know more about what my trip will consist of. I'm excited. My team is awesome. My leader is boss. No no no, you don't get it, that's a word for AWESOME. Haha.

So I'm sort of writing just to write, and I need to hear some of the music for the Easter program I'm in Sunday. But before I do, some ponderings.

I've been thinking about this book I want to write... The Obedient Lifestyle. And I've been trying to figure it out in my head where the book needs to go. Or... if I'm wanting to get to step two without looking at step one.

I've really been thinking, what does spiritual discipline entail? I know this is sort of all over the place but that's how it is in my head.

I feel like I'm not ready to write this book. But...

Right now, I'm just trying to go beyond everything I hear, everything I see, in Christianity. And, I have to acknowledge... I'm wondering if God and I aren't just acquaintances? Business partners? He saved me by grace through faith, and I'm listening to His command from Acts 1:8 by... doing... Acts 1:8, this summer.

Something is just... missing.

One thing I've been guilty of is making God into who I want Him to be, at least attempting to. I expect an answer of where I need to go in my life, but really, it's all in faith. And I just have to take a step. I'm literally cowering in the corner at the realization that I graduate in one month, with no intention of using my primary major, and if I'm a worship leader my second major won't be a waste. But anyway, following 1:8... I just see gray. No black or white... just gray.

I've been getting a ton of encouragement from friends lately. That's awesome.

But God... I want to be so much more than acquaintances. I want to be Your son.

And I am Yours...

May I see the dawn?



--I plan to update a lot during Acts 1:8, so I'll try and set something up soon, I'll probably just use this place. Until then... buh bye!

Aim

Dreams are powerful things. I know my pastor just spoke on Elijah's dreams when he was under the Juniper tree (1 Kings 3). I literally just woke up from one, when I heard something AMAZING. 

Believe it or not, I was dreaming about a mission trip, but more specifically, I was with a man who God is working POWERFULLY through in Seattle, named Greg, he is my former youth pastor... and we were talking I think just about Jesus and ministry. Somewhere randomly this quote happened. I believe it to be from God. It's even custom-tailored in good ol' Kentucky dialect (I believe, maybe not. You be the judge of that.) If it is...or even if it isn't this is the truth: God speaks to us to where WE can understand Him, because of our personal walks with Him.  

Here's the quote. 

"It doesn't aim to be a good day. It doesn't aim to be a broken day. It doesn't aim to be a day at all." 

What on Earth does that mean?

Here's my take on it. How can you say it's going to be a good day or a bad day, when we don't even deserve a day? Our Earth is so corrupted and out of control without God in control it would fly apart, literally AIM for destruction. God guides this vessel called Earth and all His children, you and I, and shields and protects us. 

God is just orchestrating this... we spent some time at church last night on 2 Corinthians 1:1-11, and how God wants to comfort us (as one of the big take-home points). Don't ask me what the Greek word is for comfort, because while taking Greek I dropped it, the only class I've ever legitimately dropped mid-semester... but, I do know (because my pastor said it) comfort means literally "to come beside," to help shoulder a burden or walk beside us through everything going on in this thing called life. And Jesus does warn us yet comfort us all the same in John 16:33, "In this world you will have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world." That has become one of my favorite Scriptures recently especially in my Dawn After Ashes music thingy that, who knows the direction it's going since I'm sorta getting out of playing metal!!!

Final revelation for the night/morning/whatever. I've come to realize that one of the largest reasons I don't read the Bible like I should is because the sheer size of the book is HUGE, and there is SO MUCH TRUTH to be realized and received. It's a quantity thing, not quality, because I could use all of the God-quality truth in those 66 books... but the reality is, even if I had taken this entire break to read the Bible, I would have skimmed the surface. Even if we read each day like we SHOULD through an obedient lifestyle of worship, it will be a lifetime of revealing, God reveals to us as we need it, and God knows our needs. So I should be taking my daily bread every chance I get, and feasting on this bounty of knowledge before me. You should too. 

God is working, and moving in me. And I know it. But ten years from now, I know I will look back and say, I never even had a clue how gracious God really is. =) 

Amen.

We Don't Deserve

"Worship is a response to a relationship we don't deserve." Greetings everyone.

So I plan not to take too long to write this because, well, it's part of why I'm even beginning to write. I have to come clean on a few things. There's dawn at the end of these ashes, so please read all.

Well, the big thing. This winter break has been a waste.

Number of times in my Bible. Few.
Number of hours in prayer. Few.
Amount of time not only running from God, but running from myself, running from life, running from everything by sitting in my room for countless hours playing video games, looking up a ton of completely random and useless things... A lot.

Romans 7:14-25

This is a problem that is much bigger than myself, and a problem I need some serious help with discipline on.

Oh let's throw this in the mix, too, considering this is a vital part of 2012 for me.
Number of hours preparing for Acts 1:8... about 3 or 4. The plan is down, but not the actions. And I'm very, very good about doing that, get the plan down, the "I need to do that," then just walking off, probably getting back to my video games or something.

WHY THE INSANITY?

I need time, alone. And while I've spent a pretty good amount of time alone, I mean different. Away from everything, games, this computer, just everything. And that is something I will be asking a couple of people for STRICT ACCOUNTABILITY for. I NEED, NEED, NEED time with God. The times I have spent with Him this break, have been astounding. Isn't that insane? That just last night I can watch this worship band from Liberty University who was at my church, a complete surprise, and worship God in full surrender, then to come back and be just my lowly drone self (if that's even an expression); that, my friends, is compartmentalizing. That's living my life out for myself, and not for God. And I cringe as I type this but, hey, the brutal, cold truth has to get out before one can change. One has to know just how lowly and sinister, awful, wretched, terrible they are before they can reach out to God... to get to that point that Jesus got to, so lonely and cold that I'm moved to ask Father, Father, why have You forsaken me?

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8
"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us." 1 John 3:16a

I have had a passage in my head for about the past 24 hours. I even dreamed about it. Pretty much... Romans 6 in its entirety. And I've already pulled some more Romans from the Holy Spirit, it has to be Him alone. And I praise His name because of that... that shows that my relationship with God HAS made SIGNIFICANT progress... that God has been working on me.

Here's the point.

I desire more than anything to give my total life, every piece of it, over to God, because I owe him everything. That same Liberty band showed a video with something if you know me, you know I love this stuff. A new definition of worship. That's two, one from Louie Giglio and one from this video. You've seen it already, get it in your mind and heart. I quote, "Worship is a response to a relationship we don't deserve."
And after sharing all that I have... I have to just get on my knees and thank God for all He has done for me. That, while I was still a sinner, Christ laid down His life for me. I feel as though because of that, I owe my life to God because Christ gave His. So elementary... I need elementary right now, I feel like.

I'll share that other quote, from Louie Giglio.
"Worship is the Church alive and in motion to take the Gospel of Jesus to the last and the least of these on planet Earth. That's the worship God desires."

See, that's so much more of a calling than just, give your life to Christ. That screams out Acts 1:8. That is a life totally devoted, totally sold out, dare I say, a life as a slave of righteousness. And not that we can be righteous, but through the love of Christ, we can be GOOD, PURE, HOLY. And not that we deserve even a spec of glory, because it all goes to Christ. But that's something I think I truly need to get through my skull. Well, maybe to my heart because, I feel like the knowledge is there. Now if we can get it deeper and deeper into my core.

That's what I don't know how to do.

I have support to raise for Acts 1:8 (if you want info, let me know.) I have a worship team/cluster to oversee. My heart is not ready for that. But I know and I've seen the power of God move. Here's the big disclaimer to this whole post. I STILL HAVE EIGHT DAYS AT HOME, TWO BEFORE SCHOOL STARTS. And, I have an entire semester to prepare. I have nothing to worry about, but just to take heart because Christ has overcome the world, John 16:33.

And, that's the truth. I know I cannot articulate it exactly as I could, but I pray that God speaks to you and to myself in the way we need to hear Him speak, so that we can be more in step with His will for our lives. That we can truly experience Him on a daily basis.

I think that'll do for now.

The Questions

So, I really want to write this book. I have a placeholder title that might be the final title. "The Obedient Lifestyle" and, I want to touch on spiritual discipline and how so very important it is. But I know... I'm not ready. And, I am wondering if that's even the direction I need to go right now? Ultimately, yes, we Christ-followers need spiritual discipline. I wonder if there's a level one, though?

And that's what I want this to be. I want to become the expert... but what I have to do, what I will require myself to do... is to fervently, pain-stakingly, explicit detail, hour upon hour of, every word, every letter... look into the Word of God for what the mouth of God says about spiritual discipline... about priorities. Also there are a few books already on discipline.

So I basically have two questions.
1) What do Christ-followers of today... no, let's scrap the "of today." Because God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow, and so should be the followers of Christ, with the only differences being their adaptation into the culture. With that in mind... What do Christ-followers need to hear from one who is placing emphasis on certain Scriptures and how to interpret them? Let's minimize theology... let's minimize any doctrines that divide the Body of Christ, and let's look at the practical, the personal, the applicable... the heart... of what Christ-followers need. What is it?
2) What do I need, more than anything, at any given time, that will help to increase faith, increase my love of God, my devotion to God, and to fill my Spirit with His love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control? And how are my needs related to every other Christ-follower on this Earth?

If you'll be praying for me... things are going a little South... and they are preventable things. The biggest one... video games. I did not forsee that I would get THIS sucked into video games. But when I receive Gran Turismo 5, Infamous 2, Sonic Generations, and NCAA Football 2012, as well as have easily over 50 games from SNES to GameCube, and everything in between... you do the math. But hopefully, that can cease... now. Or at least, drastically decrease. And it has.

I also need to be more fervent on my preparations for Acts 1:8 Leadership Experience, otherwise I will be scrambling in May.

Something I've been thinking about. I also want to let you know I'm trying my best to follow the Passion 2012 sessions, and I purchased the online content "digital all-access" so I will have all the sermons and what-not. I'm very interested to hear from Christine Caine, who works with Equip & Empower Ministries... something I may want to look into for the future... I think tomorrow will be wonderful for a catch-up day. Hard to follow anything with a rambunctious almost-nine-year-old cousin at your house. She is gone though, so catch-up time indeed!

Until next time.

Dawn.

Hey, very, very short entry to tell you all, I am making a comeback soon.

I may stick with this, but I may start a new blog. Here's what's in store for Kevin for the year 2012.

-Hopefully helping to lead worship at a dream-come-true venue (more on that when more details surface)
-Graduating from WKU with Psychology/Religious Studies degree
-Acts 1:8 Leadership Experience Mission Trip to Richmond, KY and NYC.
-A BIG event where, again, I hope to help lead worship. And turn Bowling Green, KY up-side-down. =) Again, more on that later.
-Finally breaking the trend and actually getting a job, first time employment, and this will be a big boy's job hopefully.
-Finalizing my career. Music minister/worship leader? Psychologist/counselor? Both? Haha. We'll see.

Stay tuned.

~Kevin~